AMFG Receives Funding from Innovate UK to Improve AI and Machine Learning Software Solutions for 3D Printing

London-based company AMFG, formerly known as RP Platform until this summer, creates workflow automation software for industrial 3D printing so that companies, such as Bowman International and Makelab, can streamline and manage their end-to-end additive manufacturing workflows in a more efficient, productive, and traceable manner.

AMFG’s software includes features like a Supplier Integration Network, so manufacturers can coordinate their AM supply chain network and automate production, and a Holistic Build Analysis Tool, for instant estimations of how full a machine build is without having to use nesting.

The company is on a mission to use highly connected, AI-driven workflows to advance autonomous manufacturing, and is now pleased to announce that it has received funding from Innovate UK – the UK’s Research and Innovation agency – in order to continue developing its AI and machine learning software solutions for 3D printing.

“Currently, additive manufacturing still needs to prove that end-part production is viable at scale. Software will be a vital piece of this puzzle,” said AMFG’s CEO Keyvan Karimi. “We’re thrilled to put Innovate UK’s funding towards further enhancing our machine learning technology and helping manufacturers manage — and scale — their AM operations effectively.”

Innovate UK accelerates sustainable economic growth in the UK by funding, connecting with, and supporting innovative businesses through a mixture of various programs and people.

As the 3D printing industry continues to grow and mature, end parts production is definitely becoming one of the major 3D printing applications. But, there are still barriers in the way of successfully scaling the technology for production purposes, such as a lack of efficiency and concerns with overall quality. Through its AI-driven workflow software, AMFG means to address these issues and help companies scale their additive manufacturing operations.

The funding received from Innovate UK, which builds on AMFG’s comprehensive software for workflow management and MES, will be concentrating on automating the AM production workflow, which includes features like post-processing management, production management, and request submission.

AMFG will be working with some important research partners, such as the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM), as part of the project.

“The Centre [for AM] is one of the leading research groups in the field of AM technology across the globe and is conducting research to advance the productivity, scalability and industrial adoptability of the technology,” said Dr. Martin Baumers of the CfAM. “AM technology is currently at a stage where it needs to demonstrate its stability and controllability in real manufacturing environments. Innovative software approaches will be central in achieving this.”

AMFG’s scope covers the end-to-end additive manufacturing process.

Innovate UK’s funding will be focused on successful production of end-use parts, and used specifically for two important areas of 3D printing:

1. Improving quality assurance
   • AMFG will work to develop methods, such as using wide-ranging data sets, that will improve parts analysis during the quality assurance stage.
2. Optimizing production scheduling
   • AMFG will continue to develop its machine learning technology in order to optimize production scheduling, so users can do such things as accurately predicting failures before they happen.

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