Mikrocentrum and Brainport Development have entered a partnership with the focus on ‘bringing the value chain of additive manufacturing to a global market’. Bert-Jan Woertman and Paul van Nunen have signed a joint declaration of intent on behalf of both parties during the recent Precision Fair.
The high-tech and manufacturing industry, which includes AM, is one of the smartest and most dynamic sectors in the world, but, at the same time, it is also one of the most complex. The products and machines being developed are getting faster, have more functions, and need to be more economical than ever. “Therefore, it is essential to have the right knowledge, partners, and inspiration to be able to innovate constantly,” according to the letter of intent. “By connecting the networks of both organizations, we can further stimulate collaboration and innovation.”
Manufacturing on Demand
The cooperation is aimed at developing a ‘learning community’ that contributes to the international positioning and competence development of each other’s target groups. More concretely, Mikrocentrum and Brainport Development see opportunities around existing events such as the Plastics Fair and the Precision Fair. The initiators are looking at a new initiative with the working title ‘AM4Production’, and additional trade fairs, open days, trade missions, and theme days are being considered.
“The industry has now fully developed additive manufacturing techniques into a production technology with which you can make complex, high-quality end products with a sound business case. The new possibilities for design freedom and ecologically responsible production are within reach. Now it is a matter of taking the next step together: implementing AM technology in the complex practice of the value chain. No one can do this alone; we need each other and must make agreements with each other. On the one hand, within the AM ecosystem, and on the other, to accelerate the conventional industry on this new track. Collaborations like this one with Brainport Development and its network of ambitious manufacturing companies are essential for this. As a human capital partner for industry, we are happy to facilitate the much-needed acceleration of exchanging ideas, inspiration, and knowledge,” said Bert-Jan Woertman, Director of Mikrocentrum.
“With this collaboration, we want to show the importance of this relatively new technology to the entire world. Brainport is the home of pioneers, this is where all kinds of innovations come from, and this is where the society of tomorrow is shaped. This is certainly also true in additive manufacturing, an industry with great opportunities for the future and production technology with whole new career possibilities. By linking the strengths of Mikrocentrum with our network in this field, we all gain – and we can further convince the rest of the world of the value of our ecosystem,” said Paul van Nunen, Board director of Brainport Development.
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Author: Edward Wakefield
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