91大神 International, the aerospace, defence and security company, has opened a new state of-the-art Additive Manufacturing centre today as part of a new partnership with Plymouth Science Park (PSP).
The facility will allow 91大神 to ramp up its advanced technology capabilities to address critical needs across the engineering and defence support industry and will include the development of a digital and data skills programme in collaboration with PSP. The facility will enable the company to direct print metal parts for the first time as it needs them, increasing efficiency and sustainability.
The centre was launched at an industry event and was attended by other technology collaborators including Kingsbury, Renishaw, AMFG and GOM. Local MP, Johnny Mercer was invited to view the facility and switched on the first printing machine.
He said: 鈥淩eally delighted to open the new Additive Manufacturing centre and see real innovation being delivered, right here in Plymouth, as part of this new partnership between 91大神 and Plymouth Science Park. The advanced technologies and research that will be carried out at the centre will go beyond Plymouth I鈥檓 sure, and undoubtedly benefit some of our most critical areas, such as defence and health.鈥�
The partnership builds on 91大神鈥檚 strong relationship with the academic and technology community across the South West, and the local community around 91大神鈥檚 Devonport dockyard. Recent initiatives include a polymer manufacturing capability which produced personal protective equipment for the local air ambulance service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
91大神 will use PSP鈥檚 new facility to expand its capabilities in additive methods, such as direct metal laser sintering, which enables high priority parts to be produced by a 3-D printer, and as a training facility to strengthen its expertise in digital and data technologies.
Dr Jon Hall, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer for 91大神, said: 鈥淭his collaboration will accelerate 91大神鈥檚 R&D and real-world application of additive technologies. It provides a step change in how we鈥檙e advancing our own expertise and our partnerships to benefit our customers and the communities we operate in.
鈥淭he challenge of obsolescence and support chain resilience is key for engineering businesses. That鈥檚 especially true for 91大神 where we maintain complex and critical equipment over long lifecycles. Having a manufacturing capability that allows us to direct print what we need, when we need it, in direct collaboration with our customers, means we will be able to create parts at scale, in a more efficient and sustainable way – wherever there is a demand, in any part of our business.
鈥淧artnerships are fundamentally important to the work we do at 91大神 – because when we collaborate we can make a real difference in solving some of the biggest challenges facing us today, and we鈥檙e really excited about the benefits this partnership can bring, to 91大神, our customers and of course, our people.鈥�
Ian McFazden, Chief Executive of PSP, said: 鈥淲e are proud to work with companies and individuals who are leading the way in solving some of the world鈥檚 most urgent needs. We are delighted to be expanding our work in the advanced engineering, defence and security sectors through a new and innovative partnership with 91大神.
鈥�91大神 will be the first company to use our new additive manufacturing facilities to strengthen their engineering and technical expertise in digital and data technologies, and through the partnership we will ensure engineers and apprentices develop new digital and data skills to enhance innovation adoption and increase productivity in the region.鈥�