It’s been a long time coming and was delayed by the June election, but finally the UK has a 3D printing strategy. What do readers think about it? Does it provide meaningful direction and confidence?
AM UK, an independent, government-backed collaboration, has published a new Additive Manufacturing National Strategy. Over 44 pages a vision to bring together industry, academia, government and finance bodies and ensure the UK remains a leading high value manufacturing nation is set out.
With contributions from over 100 3D printing industry experts, the document provides substantial insights into the roadblocks around industrial digitisation and how to ensure opportunities in high value manufacturing are not squandered.
The strategy document notes that the UK, “has world-class additive manufacturing experience in research, design and manufacturing expertise.” However, “many UK companies, especially within the SME community, lack the awareness, resources or confidence to apply additive manufacturing as a core and integral part of their manufacturing toolkit.”