In an enormous step in the direction of sustainable manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing Options (AMS) primarily based in Burscough, West Lancashire, UK, has secured funding from Innovate UK for its ‘Recycling and Reuse of Aerospace Supplies for Additive Manufacturing’ (R2AM2) mission.

The initiative goals to discover the untapped potential of recycling aerospace components into feedstock for metallic additive manufacturing, whereas scrutinizing the processability and efficiency of recycled AM manufacturing.

Latest analysis highlights {that a} substantial 740 tonnes of non-ferrous metals (excluding aluminum) can be found yearly for recycling from retired civil plane. Regrettably, solely a fraction of this useful resource is at the moment recycled. The R2AM2 mission seeks to set off an environmental paradigm shift in AM materials utilization.

The worldwide AM powder market is projected to surpass $1 billion this yr, with titanium accounting for a good portion. As provide constraints and rising prices loom as a result of geopolitical conflicts and finite assets, using the roughly 600 tonnes of recycled plane components turns into more and more very important. AMS dubs this method “high-value scrap mining” and envisions it as an alternative choice to resource-intensive mining practices.
“The UK was as soon as a pacesetter in AM expertise, and we have now since seen a stagnation interval, with our work alongside the output of this mission we aspire to allow a vibrant and extremely worthwhile UK supply of feedstock and catalyst for materials producing components for our protection, house, aerospace, and automotive industries,” mentioned Robert Higham, CEO and founding father of AMS.

“Having Innovate UK assist our analysis and improvement on this subject is a big and essential step in our plans as AMS. If we’re to proceed with our bold plans to advertise and improve onshore manufacturing, it’s essential we allow a safe and sustainable provide chain of product. This mission is step one in offering worthwhile information as to the true potentialities of excessive worth round economic system improvement. We’re honored to be awarded the funding to permit us to take this concept to an industrial feasibility state.”

The R2AM2 mission, scheduled for completion in November 2023, entails recycling scrap aerospace components into powder for testing and subsequent use in manufacturing new components. The info collected from these components will present very important insights into the viability of using recycled supplies for premium additive manufacturing feedstock within the UK.

Come and tell us your ideas on our Fb, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t neglect to join our weekly additive manufacturing publication to get all the newest tales delivered proper to your inbox.