News

The “Hellenic Center for Additive Manufacturing S.A. – HCAM” is a new dynamic initiative of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) for the establishment of a Reference Center for 3D printing technologies in Southeastern (SE) Europe. This pioneering proposal was approved for funding by the Action “Competence Centers” of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI) and is expected to contribute significantly to the competitiveness of Greek and European industry using innovative technologies.

HCAM will utilize expertise, resources and infrastructure of FORTH for the benefit of companies that want to include 3D printing technologies in their development plans, but they do not have the specialized knowledge, experience, staff and resources required. FORTH will offer the scientific knowledge produced at the Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (ICE-HT) in Patras, and at Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) in Heraklion, as well as the significant experience of the PRAXI Network in technology transfer. The Center will be headquartered in Patras, an area with a vibrant ecosystem of innovative companies and intensive industrial activity.

A key feature of HCAM is the offering of complete support through the entire customer value chain, from the evaluation of the initial idea of the new product to the final development of the industrial application, always with the consulting guidance of the FORTH Institutes and PRAXI Network. The Center will provide services to the traditional branches of industry as well as to companies that are active in the fields of aerospace, automotive, transport, and health.

More specifically, the activity of HCAM will focus on: a) providing services, b) education / training and c) research for:

• Manufacturing of prototypes
• Testing of new designs and materials
• Original and customized manufacturing of small spare parts for various companies
• Design and manufacturing of new components and products
• Certification for high quality level of industrial products.

In collaboration with FORTH, eleven (11) highly innovative companies participate as shareholders of HCAM, namely,

• ADAMANT COMPOSITES LTD
• CBL Patras SA
• EBETAM AE
• EXTRA MILE LTD
• LINO AEBE
• ΜΟΝΟΛΙΘΟΣ ΕΠΕ
• Neweleven Capital
• NOESIS
• OHB HELLAS
• RAYMETRICS A.E.
• UBITECH

EKEPEK aspires to be a unique one-stop-shop for complete support of companies concerning training, research and development related to additive manufacturing.

For more information:

Dr. Vassilios Dracopoulos
FORTH/ICE-HT
Tel.: +30 2610 965229
e-mail: indy@iceht.forth.gr

Dr. Maria Makridaki
PRAXI Network, FORTH
Tel.: +30 2810 391966
e-mail: makridaki@praxinetwork.gr