An overview of the results is given with reference to the original objectives of the STIM-MC project.
Objective 1: To prepare a commercially ready platform addressing customers needs and requirements
A key element of the AddiFab FIM Cell, the Cleaning Station, has been completed and the required documentation package of the entire FIM Cell has been finalized. The types of commercial metal and ceramic feedstocks which function well with FIM has been established, and CT-scanning has been applied to conclusively detect the influence of each FIM process step on the final part geometry. To further improve the performance of FIM, a new 3D printer resin has been developed, specially tailored for the metals and ceramics injection moulding applications. The next steps beyond STIM-MC, constituting simulation of the injection moulding process, are already being taken, with promising results achieved with commercial software packages.
Objective 2: To showcase and validate the advantages of the STIM-MC platform addressing the main market barriers
17 showcases with global companies have been carried out to consistently prove the compatibility of FIM with commercially available metal and ceramic injection moulding feedstocks. At the end of STIM-MC, several of these showcases are entering the third or fourth iteration, accumulating interest from the companies. In spite of the COVID-19 crisis, 43 visits at potential collaboration partners and customers were carried out. Feedback from customers has been applied to the creation of so far 8 freely accessible videos on Youtube on how to design moulds for FIM. In addition to this, detailed how-to-videos for customers have been made for the training of new FIM Cell operators. This allows for a faster implementation of FIM at new customers.
Objective 3: To prepare market introduction to boost the company growth
AddiFab has pursued an aggressive marketing presence with a stand at 11 industry tradeshows, demonstrating the FIM technology hands-on, resulting in hundreds of leads (200+ at the TCT Show in Birmingham + several hundred from the K-show, Compamed and Rapid TCT). To cope with this accumulating customer interest, experienced Sales Managers for the EMEA and US regions, as well as 8 R&D and Support engineers and technicians have been onboarded to accelerate the commercialization, the technology development and to scale the production. To increase the ability to protect key intellectual property rights, and to support the industrialization and commercialization of FIM, a partnership with Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials was signed.
Finally it should be noted that for both objective 1 and 2, the AddiFab dissemination and exploitation strategy is that, unless covered by a non disclosure agreement, or if it constitutes sensitive AddiFab know-how which has yet to be patented, all results are freely disseminated.
