Metal 3D printing excellence – export and prosperity boost

The aim of the project is to promote the capacity of SMEs to design and produce competitive metal products so that their quality is optimized and certified on an application-by-application basis. Choosing the right manufacturing method and taking care of quality factors are the most important factors for surviving in international competition. In addition to export promotion, the project works closely with a number of international universities (material quality) as well as companies (hardware manufacturers and service providers). The project is in line with smart specialization and will strengthen RDI activities that support the region's business and promote the networking of research organizations and companies.

M3D project offers companies an exceptional opportunity to look at the performance, quality and competitiveness of different metal printing methods. The project promotes industrial digitalisation and supports the transition to a low-carbon economy in terms of material savings in production and energy for manufacturing. In the investment part of the project, a high-frequency axial load machine will be procured for the use of the research group to support the measures of the research project.

The implementation period of the project is 1.6.2021 - 30.6.2023 and it is divided into a research section (total budget € 433,200) and an investment section (total budget € 140,000). The project is implemented by the University of Oulu's Kerttu Saalasti Institute's Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) research group and the Nivala-Haapajärvi Sub-region Association Nihak. M3D project is funded as part of the Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects funders are Council of Oulu Region (EU / ERDF, Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs), the City of Nivala, Nivala Industrial Park Ltd., Kerttu Saalasti Foundation and several companies.