UK-based AM software company AMFG has received funding and support from the UK’s Research and Innovation agency, Innovate UK. The funding will enable AMFG to accelerate the development of its AI and machine learning software for additive manufacturing.
Though the amount of funding from the government agency has not been disclosed, AMFG will use the investment to further develop its workflow management/MES platform. More specifically, the funding will be put towards two main areas of AMFG’s business: improving quality assurance and optimizing production scheduling.
To improve its quality assurance software, AMFG says it will be developing ways to improve the analysis of parts during the quality assurance stage, including the use of wide-ranging data sets. For optimizing production scheduling, the company aims to further develop its machine learning technology to help users better predict if a print will fail in the planning stages.
The ultimate aim of AMFG’s software platform is to facilitate the production of end-use parts using additive manufacturing by overcoming scaling challenges, quality concerns and lack of efficiency.
“Currently, additive manufacturing still needs to prove that end-part production is viable at scale,” said AMFG CEO, Keyvan Karimi. “Software will be a vital piece of this puzzle. We’re thrilled to put Innovate UK’s funding towards further enhancing our machine learning technology and helping manufacturers manage—and scale—their AM operations effectively.”
In addition to the Innovate UK funding and as part of the agency’s program, AMFG will also have the opportunity to work with specialized partners, including the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) at the University of Nottingham.
“The Centre [for AM] is one of the leading research groups in the field of AM technology across the globe and is conducting research to advance the productivity, scalability and industrial adoptability of the technology,” added Dr. Martin Baumers of the CfAM. “AM technology is currently at a stage where it needs to demonstrate its stability and controllability in real manufacturing environments. Innovative software approaches will be central in achieving this.”
Over the past year, AMFG has significantly ramped up the development of its workflow management software for additive manufacturing. Last June, the company (formerly RP Platform) rebranded as AMFG and launched its AI software platform for end-use parts. A couple of months later, the company introduced its Holistic Build Analysis tool for production scheduling.
In recent months the company has also formed new partnerships with ARRK Europe, to launch a new online 3D printing service and LEO Lane to address the security of its AM workflow software.
