Additive Manufacturing
Advancement in additive manufacturing technologies has seen the evolution of 3D printed parts move rapidly, providing the opportunity for new innovation within the manufacturing world. As companies can now design for additive manufacturing to complement traditional manufacturing processes, there has been a huge shift in its use, particularly within aerospace, medical, transport, energy and consumer products.
Additive Manufacturing
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Additive manufacturing uses machines to create three-dimensional physical objects from digital data. These systems primarily manufacture using layer-by-layer (or additive) means of construction. This permits the manufacture of complex shapes and surfaces much more simply than by conventional methods.
Innovate UK Business Connect’s Additive Manufacturing community is made up of SMEs creating innovative solutions through AM technologies together with supply chain organisations, materials specialists, digital businesses and designers.
Additive manufacturing is one of the key areas of digital innovation within the Manufacturing Made Smarter national programme, creating innovation for the UK manufacturing sector to build their resilience and flexibility, improve productivity and become environmentally sustainable.
Join the Innovate UK Business Connect Additive Manufacturing LinkedIn community here.
Related Opportunities
Advanced manufacturing supply chain innovation: CRD
Opens: 27/04/2026 Closes: 10/06/2026
UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £6.5 million for collaborative industrial research to make supply chains more productive, resource efficient and resilient.
More Information
Innovate UK Venture Builder Pilot Expression of Interest
Opens: 22/04/2026 Closes: 22/05/2026
Up to £150,000 per SME to support new deep-tech spin-outs in Frontier AI, Engineering Biology, or Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, and to help them in raising their first significant investment. This is the Expression of Interest stage of the competition.
More Information
NAPIC ICURe Discover – September 2026
Opens: 01/06/2026 Closes: 03/09/2026
NAPIC (National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre) ICURe Discover is a part-time hybrid market exploration programme for researchers, technicians and research students, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.
More Information
Related Events and Recordings
Related News
18/10/2024
SusChem: the network driving innovation in sustainable chemistry
How the UK’s SusChem National Technology Platform (SusChem UK) is supporting the UK chemical industry by fostering innovation and promoting sustainable practices.
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20/09/2024
Getting to GRIPS with plastic waste
Over 600 delegates attended the fourth annual Global Research and Innovation in Plastics Sustainability Conference (GRIPS 2024) on Thursday 19 September, held at the University of Sheffield, and online.
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Related programme
Made Smarter Innovation Network
From 2020 to 2025, Innovate UK Business Connect will be working on behalf of UKRI to join communities together to transform UK manufacturing. Join the Made Smarter Innovation Network and help us drive positive change.