Forward AM, the brand of BASF 3D Printing Solutions, opened a new Additive Manufacturing Applications Technology Center (ATC) in Detroit, Michigan in close cooperation with Michigan State University (MSU), a leader in education and innovation in the 3D printing design and service space. The new facility will serve as the hub of expertise for solutions in the North American AM market.
With this joint commitment, education and industry combine their strengths to offer customers fully integrated 3D printing solutions: Forward AM contributes with a wide range of high-performance 3D printing materials and deep engineering expertise, while MSU brings years of technical expertise and the drive to be on the cutting edge of new ideas to support the next generations of 3D printing services and design solutions.
Applications Technology Center
Through the ATC, new value-adding technical services are available to customers, like predictive modelling, increasing innovation potential with customers across North America. Emphasising the joint commitment to major global equipment manufacturers, Forward AM installed more than 20 3D printers of various AM technologies such as Selective Laser Sintering, Photopolymer 3D Printing and Fused Filament Fabrication at the ATC. The Center is in an industrial contemporary Corktown area that has been transformed in recent years thanks to the relocation of many top Detroit businesses including several strategic customers of BASF. The whole AM industry will benefit from these new synergies with Michigan based partners.
The Additive Manufacturing Applications Technology Center in Detroit serves as a technical hub to boost innovation with North American customers. The cooperation with Michigan State University enables workforce development and enhances application services in 3D printing.
“With this step we are significantly strengthening our offerings in North America. By collaborating with Michigan State University, we create a unique combination of science and industry expertise – ideal conditions to drive innovation in Additive Manufacturing together with our customers.”
– François Minec, Managing Director BASF 3D Printing Solutions
“MSU is committed to strong industry partnerships as an engine to drive innovation, economic opportunities, and skills development that meet emerging technology needs. The Scale-up Research Facility (SuRF) in Detroit, established with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Department of Energy through the Institute for Advanced Composite Manufacturing Innovation, is a prime example of the effectiveness of place-based innovation. BASF has been among MSU’s strongest partners at the SuRF, and we are extremely pleased to expand our relationship to assist in establishing the BASF Applications Technology Center within the SuRF space. We are confident this collaboration will result in significant advances in Additive Manufacturing, new workforce development opportunities, and sustainable economic growth.”
– Doug Gage, Vice President for Research and Innovation Michigan State University
The cooperation between Forward AM and MSU is complemented with an investment by BASF Corporation in the SuRF space. This investment is strengthening BASF’s strategy in Additive Manufacturing and its pursuit toward more sustainable industrial solutions. This center of AM excellence will enable shared resources that combine education and industry to drive the industrialisation of Additive Manufacturing in the Americas.
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