A group of additive manufacturing specialists have formed a consortium called Leading Minds to help tackle the most pressing challenges manufacturers face in adopting and scaling the technology.
Founding members include Ansys, EOS, HP, Materialise, Nikon SLM, Renishaw, Stratasys and Trumpf.
In a press release, the consortium points to a survey in which 98% of companies said they experienced challenges and barriers in adopting 3D printing, such as a lack of expertise, perceived high costs and sometimes complex integration with established processes. Leading Minds says it aims to eliminate these challenges for manufacturers.
One of the group’s first priorities is to address the fragmentation and complexity of industry nomenclature. Currently, many companies and tech providers use different terminology for similar concepts, which can make collaboration difficult. The consortium will develop a common language framework for better communication and with the end goal of companies working together more effectively.
“Leading Minds represent a collective commitment to reshaping the future of manufacturing through the transformative power of 3D printing,” the group says in the release. “The consortium aims to address pressing challenges faced by manufacturers today. This includes enhancing production efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling faster, more responsive supply chains. Through these efforts, the consortium will help create a more adaptable, sustainable, and versatile manufacturing ecosystem.”
