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Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering, in collaboration with the Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) institute and funded by Enterprise Ireland, has achieved a remarkable milestone in the realm of advanced manufacturing. Their partnership has yielded ground-breaking results in the field of Metal Additive Manufacturing, bringing forth a revolutionary process known as MAPS (Metal Additive using Polymer Sheets). This collaboration marks another successful step in the School’s ongoing commitment to pioneering research and innovation.
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Completed in March 2023, the project harnessed the expertise of both Trinity College Dublin and IMR to develop a solution that addresses critical challenges within the realm of 3D metal printing. The MAPS process emerged as a transformative innovation, encapsulating metal powders within polymer sheets. This approach effectively eliminates safety hazards, enhances efficiency, reduces material wastage, and enables the creation of complex, multi-material components.
Professor Alan O’Connor, Head of Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering, highlighted the significance of this partnership:
“The collaboration between our School of Engineering and IMR is a testament to the remarkable achievements that can arise when academia and industry work together. The MAPS process stands as a testament to our commitment to advancing technology and addressing real-world challenges.”
The successful completion of the MAPS project has set the stage for another ambitious endeavour within Trinity’s engineering community. The School of Engineering is embarking on a new research project titled PoSAddive – (Powder Sheet Additive Manufacturing). This project, led by Dr. Rocco Lupoi from the School of Engineering’s Science and Technology in Advanced Manufacturing Group (STAM), aims to explore the use of powder sheets in a broader additive manufacturing context.
Dr. Lupoi elaborated on the project's objectives:
“PoSAddive seeks to leverage the innovative principles demonstrated in the MAPS process. By extending the application of polymer sheets, we aim to address challenges across various additive manufacturing techniques, enhancing efficiency and material utilisation.”
[image image='/assets/images/news/posadd_studies.png' title='Preliminary studies completed by using powder-sheet feedstock for AM']
The collaboration with IMR and the resulting MAPS process aligns seamlessly with Trinity’s School of Engineering commitment to driving technological advancement and knowledge dissemination. As an institution at the forefront of innovation, Trinity is dedicated to nurturing partnerships that lead to tangible outcomes with transformative potential.
Trinity’s collaborations are not only shaping the present but also preparing the groundwork for the future of engineering and manufacturing. By uniting expertise and resources, the institution continues to contribute significantly to Ireland’s status as a global hub for cutting-edge research and technological development.
To learn more about the MAPS project and its implications for the future of metal additive manufacturing, visit the Irish Manufacturing Research website. Additionally, explore the ongoing research project, "PoSAddive - Powder Sheet Additive Manufacturing” through Trinity College Dublin’s Science and Technology in Advanced Manufacturing Research Group. These initiatives reflect Trinity’s unwavering commitment to driving innovation and shaping a brighter future through collaborative research endeavours.