MIT has launched a new industry-facing consortium, the Center for Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies (ADAPT) focussed on additive and advanced manufacturing.
Officially launched with members at Formnext in Frankfurt last month, ADAPT is based on four key pillars including visionary research, scalable education platforms, actionable strategic insights, and an academic-industry ecosystem based at MIT.
Beginning this month, ADAPT will seed exploratory research projects involving faculty and graduate students and accelerate the establishment of a new, advanced additive manufacturing laboratory at MIT. The consortium also plans on hosting members-only events and flagship symposia.
ADAPT intends to complement MIT’s current AM education programs, including: Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production, an online certificate program offered by MITxPRO; and Additive Manufacturing: From 3D Printing to the Factory Floor, a 5-day intensive short course offered through MIT Professional Education.
ADAPT is directed by MIT Professor John Hart, who leads MIT’s Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, and oversees the design and manufacturing facilities in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Visit the TCT AM & 3D Printing Education Guide
Prof. Hart commented: “I am thrilled to launch ADAPT to accelerate MIT’s efforts toward enabling a next generation of production technologies, wherein AM is a cornerstone.”
“Moreover, AM - and the path toward a responsive, digital manufacturing infrastructure both within and between organisations - requires multidisciplinary expertise at the cutting edge of mechanical engineering, computer science, materials, and other fields. We deeply appreciate the support of our founding members, and look forward to solidifying our research, education, and engagement programs in the coming term.”
ADAPT’s founding members include: ArcelorMittal, Autodesk, BigRep, Bosch in North America, Dentsply Sirona, EOS, Formlabs, General Motors, Mimaki Engineering Company, Protolabs, Renishaw, and Volkswagen Group. The ADAPT members will convene at MIT in Spring 2019.
