Adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Through Academic Partnerships

The manufacturing landscape has changed drastically in the last 35 years, with many large firms in any given region being replaced by small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Many of these newer companies lack the capital or resources to investigate new technologies that could improve their business models or be used to develop new products or increase their market shares. The role colleges and institutes play in the manufacturing landscape is an important part in preparing work-ready graduates, up-skilling the existing workforce, and fostering entrepreneurial mindset and innovation-particularly through applied research and advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D design, additive manufacturing, and reality capture. Practical project examples from companies like Airbus Helicopter and THK will give attendees a better understanding of the applied research and innovation ecosystem, and of the value that academic partnerships can bring to SMEs in reducing the risk of technology adoption.