A €22.2 million research centre focused on advanced manufacturing techniques has opened in Dublin.
I-FORM will study new ways of applying digital technology to the complex processing of materials, through techniques such as 3D printing.
It will work with companies to advance faster, more reliable, low-cost, low-risk design of new products and the manufacture of high-value components made of materials that perform better than current options.
"Through our research into digital solutions for materials processing technologies, we are changing how things are made, and delivering a step-change in competitiveness for Irish manufacturing," said Prof Denis Dowling, I-Form's Centre Director.
The manufacturing sector is the second largest employer in Ireland, accounting 36.5% of GDP and €122.6bn in exports.
The centre is co-funded by Science Foundation Ireland and private industry, with more 31 companies signed up to participate in it, 17 of whom are based outside of Dublin.
I-FORM will be hosted by University College Dublin, but other academic partners include Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, Institute of Technology Sligo, the NUI Galway, Waterford Institute of Technology and Maynooth University.
The centre will involve academics with a wide-range of skills, including materials science, engineering, data analytics and cognitive computing.
New @scienceirel and industry funded €22m advanced manufacturing research centre, @I_Form_Centre opens at @ucddublin . Here’s some of the types of materials and objects they can manufacture and the machines they make them with. https://t.co/a2x9u5Nelq pic.twitter.com/023DOEcrQn
— Will Goodbody (@willgoodbody) September 24, 2018
The opening of I-FORM has been welcomed by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys and Minister for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan.
Minister Humphreys said it would act as a magnet to attract talent and investment into Ireland.
As well as Government and industry funding, I-FORM has secured €1.7 million in grant aid from the EU.
"I-Form's research will be vital for the future competitiveness of manufacturing, helping Ireland to attract and train outstanding researchers and be a global leader in this rapidly changing sector," said Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland.
