We have known for quite some time that in Michelín are interested enough in developing 3D printing technology to benefit from its great advances. Due to this, for a long time, they have been surrounding themselves with a consortium of companies and research centers to try to launch a program capable of developing the metal 3D printing technology.
Among the companies with which Michelin has reached a collaboration agreement, mention should be made of Fives, with whom they have just launched a project called 'Sofia' where I know will attempt to address the entire metal additive manufacturing chain. As expected, this program has recently been joined by large players in the market such as Aubert and Duval, Safran, Volume-e, ESI Group and Fusia as well as French research organizations such as Centrale Supeles, CNRS, Polytechnique and ENS Paris-Sacluy.
Michelin gets a funding of 50 million euros to research and develop metal 3D printing technology.
The objective of this great union is to develop new materials, improve the productivity of the processes and, above all, better understand the risks involved in including this type of technology in current manufacturing processes. As has been commented, one of the main recipients of this project is the aviation sector in general.
As a final detail, just tell you that the investment of 50 millones de euros it has arrived thanks to both the BPI bank and the Auvergne-Rhone Alpes region. To achieve such financing, the project has had to be validated by several entities of the magnitude of Via Méca, ASTech Paris Region or Aerospace Valley.