A consortium, including Authentise, NS85 Ltd, Holdson Limited, and TWI Ltd, has secured funding for METAMET, aiming to optimize additive manufacturing with lattice metamaterials. These structures offer enhanced properties, including lightweight yet durable characteristics crucial for industries like aerospace and automotive.
METAMET proposes a digital framework to address challenges such as design complexity, material selection, and fabrication techniques. Through advanced computational tools and material science expertise, the project aims to streamline the process from concept design to manufacturing, including simulation, optimization, and Additive Manufacturing using powdered metal.
The project’s significance lies in its potential to revolutionize the production of lightweight parts with improved mechanical, acoustic, or electromagnetic properties. Prof. Darren Williams, Director of Joining 4.0 Innovation Centre (J4IC), emphasizes the wider environmental benefits, such as reduced materials consumption and carbon emissions.
With funding from Innovate UK, METAMET will span eighteen months, focusing on developing proprietary technologies and scaling up manufacturing for real-world deployment. By enabling the production of lightweight parts with less energy consumption, METAMET will contribute to the overall lightweighting of structures and enhance fuel efficiency in various industries.
Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, X, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.