AMSYSTEMS Center

Overview

The AMSYSTEMS Center In 2016, TNO and High Tech Systems Center of the Eindhoven University of Technology founded the AMSYSTEMS Center, a joint innovation center to develop the next generation additive manufacturing production equipment for smart, personalized and multi-functional products. Additive manufacturing (AM) concerns methods whereby products are produced layer by layer, such as 3D-printing. The AMSYSTEMS Center targets high-tech applications, 3D printed electronic devices, 3D printed food and pharma applications with spin-off to other markets that require personalized, customized, on-demand manufacturing. At the heart of the Brainport / Eindhoven region The AMSYSTEMS center is at the heart of the Brainport region and has a strong link with the Dutch Smart Industry action agenda. It also has established the Smart Industry Fieldlab MultiM3D and received an investment grant for a pilot line additive manufacturing (PrintValley2020) to be operated at the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC). Scientific and technological challenges. For many applications the AM technology is still immature. The product quality is typically inferior to that obtained with conventional manufacturing methods, the choice of available materials is limited, the yield is low by process-induced defects, manufacturing costs are high, and productions speeds are typically low. The AMSYSTEMS Center therefore focusses on the development of new multimaterial/multi-technology AM concepts and the integration of these technologies in masscustomization production chains, making it an integral part of a ‘next generation industry’ approach, and aimed at stimulating the competitiveness and growth of the industry. Our focus. The center brings AM concepts from prototyping to industrialization with emphasis on new functionality and cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining system flexibility, stability & reliability. The center activities focus on the development of: 1) new concepts for multi-material / multi-technology digital manufacturing, 2) high-speed and continuous AM technology, 3) in-line metrology technologies, 4) novel integration and ICT architectures. The AMSYSTEMS center targets the development of high-tech equipment for manufacturing of smart and integrated products, smart electronics, customized medical products, printed food, and 3D printed pharmaceutical and high-tech products. Examples are complete implants, prostheses, dental bridgework, smart electronics like Epill, smart connectors and integrated LEDs or spare parts for high-tech equipment that can be printed on the spot when needed. Why will it work. The AMSYSTEMS Center brings together two complementary expertise areas in a joint proposition, i.e. the mechatronics and materials expertise of the High Tech Systems Center of the TU/e and the AM concept development and 3D print knowledge of TNO. In addition, a new chair and research group ‘Systems Mechatronics for Advanced Manufacturing’ will be established at the Eindhoven University of Technology TU/e. It is foreseen that within four years 25 PhD students research assistants will be undertaking research and that more than 50 full-time professionals will be involved in the center. Common facilities and infrastructure located at the university campus and joint research under one roof will increase the cooperation between the founding fathers TNO and TU/e HTSC and enable easy access of the industrial partners to the programs and research staff. How it will work The center stimulates the co-creation of eco-systems around new AM equipment concepts, organized in shared research innovation programs, addressing next generation AM equipment challenges and creating value for companies along the value chain. AMSYSTEMS offers a mix of shared fundamental and applied research as well as contract research, to serve the needs of the industry. Digital technologies.