Press Release

Global 3D printing software and services provider Materialise is bolstering the Additive Manufacturing (AM) offering at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

Materialise is providing its world leading Magics 3D Print Suite software to the MTC, home of the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing in Coventry, after becoming one of the MTC's newest members.

The Materialise Magics 3D Print Suite is pioneering technology driving forward new solutions across a range of industries such as automotive, aerospace and manufacturing which complements a number of the markets the MTC work in. Founded in 1990, Materialise joins a growing number of MTC members involved in AM, and will bring its years of expertise in delivering AM solutions to the MTC.

Materialise has brought together the largest group of software developers in the industry and one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the world. Its end-to-end software and manufacturing services act as the backbone of the 3D printing industry, helping its customers unlock the full potential of 3D printing from design concept to production.

Additive Manufacturing will play a major role in digitising manufacturing (Fourth Industrial Revolution) as it enables new and better designs to be realised with enhanced productivity and greater sustainability. The MTC, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which is supported by Innovate UK, has been at the forefront of developing new technologies and providing manufacturing systems solutions since opening in 2011.

Ross Trepleton, group technology manager for component technology at the MTC, said: "The MTC uses Materialise software to produce build files efficiently and accurately for right first-time AM component manufacture. The software suite enables high control of the 3D printing process from enhancing the design to streamlining production and analysing machine behaviour. This upskills our customer's understanding of the entire AM process chain."

With the move in the AM industry towards production, quality, repeatability and process control become increasingly important. Now, the MTC will have access to the Control Platform and Inspector software - tools that allow the user to analyse data coming from all stages of the production process in order to improve and guarantee part quality. Users can experiment with print styles and other research parameters, as well as predict and detect errors with less effort.For validation of AM production set-up that can efficiently handle high volumes of data and ensure traceability, Materialise Streamics, provides a central AM automation and control system.

"We are pleased to share our knowledge and software solutions with a leading institution such as the MTC, and with the industrial Additive Manufacturing industry in the UK. Our Materialise Magics software suite allows leadership to take full control of the AM process," states Philip Hudson, managing director at Materialise UK. "Working with the MTC, together we can push industrial AM forward."

About The Manufacturing Technology Centre

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is inspiring Great British manufacturing globally by developing innovative manufacturing technologies and processes in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions.Founded in 2010, the MTC has some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world enabling it to provide a specialised environment for the development and demonstration of innovation to be used on an industrial scale.A leading proponent of Digitising Manufacturing and home to the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing, the MTC has expertise across a range of technologies. The MTC works collaboratively with companies of all sizes from start-ups to global corporations in diverse industry sectors including aerospace, marine, defence, construction and food and drink.

The MTC has 100 industrial members, who play an active role in the steering of the technological path of the organisation. The membership scheme promotes long term relationships, however, the MTC works with any company seeking a manufacturing solution. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which is supported by Innovate UK.

About Materialise

Materialise incorporates more than 25 years of 3D printing experience into a range of software solutions and 3D printing services, which together form the backbone of the 3D printing industry. Materialise's open and flexible solutions enable players in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, art and design, and consumer goods, to build innovative 3D printing applications that aim to make the world a better and healthier place. Headquartered in Belgium, with branches worldwide, Materialise combines the largest group of software developers in the industry with one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the world. For additional information, please visit: www.materialise.com.

Press contacts Materialise:

Natalie Simpson

Marketing Manager

Email: Natalie.simpson@materialise.co.uk

Visit: www.materialise.com

Vanessa Palsenbarg

Corporate Communications Manager

Phone: +32 16 39 66 37

Email: press@materialise.com

Twitter: @MaterialiseNV