Integrated computational materials engineering is an emerging digital field seeking to improve the way things are designed and manufactured. Under PRISM2 the University of Birmingham is applying ICME to additive manufacturing and other processes. More specifically, they hope to create CAD/CAM software solutions that create a dialogue between component modelling, material microstructure, component properties and novel manufacturing technologies. Working closely with the Manufacturing Technology Centre and High Temperature Research Centre in Coventry, ICME development at PRISM2 also aims to “Drive innovation and increase competitiveness in UK manufacturing sectors.” Where additive manufacturing is concerned, PRISM2’s ICME strategies can be used to help understand the mechanical effect processes have on a part, and also determine the causes of cracking. Rolls-Royce and fellow PRISM2 partner the MTC were recently part of the AMAZE Project, which sought to harness synchrotron data to help improve metal additive manufacturing processes. Professor Attallah is the director of the university’s Advanced Materials and Processing, and previously discussed the future of additive materials in an interview for 3D Printing Industry.

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