CALM

The Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) is an industry facing business technology centre based at the University of Exeter. CALM is funded by the ERDF, RDA, University of Exeter, and EADS Ltd, and provides technical expertise in Additive Layer Manufacturing to businesses across all sectors.

Industrial partners

CALM is linked to experts and equipment at the EADS Innovation Works at Filton, Bristol, and ALM events will take place at Bristol until the centre is fully operational in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Academic partners

CALM is also partnered with Exeter Advanced Technologies who have a long and successful history in delivering world class research and development in materials technology.

 

Benefitting the South West

ALM has many advantages over traditional forms of manufacturing and CALM is committed to helping small-to-medium sized enterprises in the south west understand and adopt this ground-breaking way of manufacturing. The potential benefits of ALM include lower manufacturing costs, a reduced carbon footprint for manufacturing, quicker time to market, and the opportunity to create entirely new types of complex components that until now could not be manufactured.

 

Coming soon to the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) at Exeter.

First UK based - High temperature polymer additive manufacturing machine (EOS P800) at the University of Exeter.

 

EOS P800 system
PEEK Material Data

 

Access to this equipment will give UK companies new opportunities to research and develop polyarlyetherketone thermoplastics, e.g. PEEK, made by additive layer manufacturing.

PEEK is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic that performs well in aggressive and high demanding applications. It is exceptionally robust and can replace metal components.

PEEK has:

  • excellent performance at high temperature > 180 degC
  • high wear resistance
  • outstanding chemical resistance
  • the ability to withstand the sterilising processes 
  • the ability to withstand the processing requirements for composite moulds
  • high thermal insulation
  • high electrical insulation
  • good fire, smoke and toxicity performance

PEEK products made using additive manufacturing (rather than injection moulding) can have the additional benefits of:

  • greater design freedom compared with manufacturing by injection moulding
  • cost reduction
  • weight reduction 
  • part consolidation
  • Potential products are: 
  • medical implants
  • medical devices
  • food processing devices
  • high temperature thermoplastic gears
  • moulds
  • high temperature ducting
  • bearings
  • piston parts
  • pumps
  • valves
    •  
CALM services

CALM has a range of knowledge transfer and development packages that provide technical expertise to businesses, those already familiar with ALM and those wanting to build their knowledge base. For more information please contact:

Dr Sara Flint
Commercial Manager
CALM
University of Exeter
North Park Road
EXETER
EX4 4QF

Phone: +44 (0) 1392 263618
Email: S.D.Flint@exeter.ac.uk