Why.
Mature the WAAM process
Filling the knowledge gaps to understand material properties, design possibilities, and process capability
Develop process-specific hardware
Taking the hardware traditionally used in arc welding to the next level of ruggedisation, reliability, control, and integration; integrating it with cutting-edge technologies based on light, magnetic, sound physics
Achieve a critical mass and avoid duplication
The worlds of academia and industry joining forces to fast-track the maturation of the process whether relying on private efforts as well as publicly-funded projects, making sure nothing is repeated unnecessarily.
Supporting industry towards adoption of WAAM
Pushing WAAM in industry with company-specific technology-transfer programmes, developing industrial WAAM cells, training people, and specifying part-building strategies