The UK’s definitive industrial 3D printing and additive manufacturing occasion returns to the NEC Birmingham subsequent week. TCT 3Sixty will ship palms on demonstrations with round 200 AM merchandise, and a free two-day convention programme that includes insights on defence, aerospace, healthcare and extra. Right here, we spoke to Javaid Butt (JB), Professor of Manufacturing and Product Design at Birmingham Metropolis College who might be presenting on the Innovation Stage about optimising AM with AI and digital twin.
TCT: Why the precise concentrate on materials extrusion-based 3D printing? What are the present challenges?
JB: Materials extrusion stays one of the crucial accessible and extensively used 3D printing applied sciences resulting from its low value, ease of operation, and materials versatility. Nevertheless, its industrial adoption is hindered by challenges like poor mechanical properties and floor end, problem in optimising processing parameters, and the unpredictability of faults throughout prints. These points typically result in trial-and-error experimentation, losing time and assets in addition to limiting scalability for high-performance functions.
TCT: We all know that AI will solely be useful to AM with good knowledge. How are you approaching that?
JB: The importance of helpful knowledge can’t be overstated. Subsequently, a scientific strategy is paramount to successfully leverage the varied info streams generated all through the manufacturing course of. To this finish, a multi-modal knowledge technique has been adopted, incorporating sensor suggestions, physics-based numerical simulations, and experimental check outcomes to construct a digital profile of every print. This knowledge is structured and fed into AI fashions for coaching, enabling clever prediction of failures, high quality metrics, and optimisation of processing parameters. This reduces reliance on bodily testing whereas repeatedly enhancing the mannequin via iterative studying.
TCT: You’re discussing combining two essential future-facing applied sciences – AI and digital twins. How essential is it that the manufacturing business leans into these applied sciences at present?
JB: AI and digital twins will not be simply future ideas, however have change into indispensable enablers of agility, sustainability, and competitiveness. As manufacturing shifts towards good, data-driven operations, these applied sciences enable firms to optimise processes, scale back downtime, improve effectivity, and customise manufacturing in actual time. Firms that delay funding in and adoption of those applied sciences will discover themselves lagging behind, much less in a position to compete with those that have embraced these developments.
TCT: What insights do you anticipate this analysis will ship?
JB: This analysis might help producers in fixing two important issues associated to the fabric extrusion course of i.e., upkeep and identification of optimum processing parameters. It analyses the feasibility of making use of a digital twin with synthetic intelligence to foretell the behaviour of the fabric extrusion 3D printing course of. By leveraging synthetic intelligence in tandem with digital twin know-how, new insights might be unlocked, propelling the manufacturing sector in the direction of larger innovation and competitiveness.
TCT: In a single sentence, why ought to guests come to this speak?
JB: To find how AI-powered digital twins can unlock the following technology of dependable, environment friendly, and scalable extrusion-based 3D printing.
TCT: One closing thought?
JB: I imagine that innovation in AM is not primarily about machines and supplies however is more and more changing into extra about knowledge intelligence. Digital twins and AI collectively redefine that intelligence, providing a pathway to smarter, sustainable, and extra adaptable manufacturing.
TCT 3Sixty will happen on 4-Fifth June on the NEC Birmingham. Register to your free ticket and begin planning your agenda with the TCT occasion app.
