The strong investment in research infrastructure by the Nivala Industrial Park – such as the ELME Studio – combined with close collaboration with local industry, has enabled the group to conduct truly applied research that supports business and strengthens Finland’s export industries.
In 2024, the FMT group celebrated its 20th anniversary in Nivala Technology Center for two days under the theme “Large-Scale 3D Printing.” This was a fitting choice, as WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) is currently one of the most rapidly evolving areas in advanced production technology. The group’s development path was highlighted: from sheet metal technologies and laser processing in the early 2000s toward high-end metal 3D printing, prototyping, and advanced materials testing.
The program offered a wide array of expert talks on WAAM technology, common material challenges in 3D printing, simulation, and industrial case examples of applying advanced manufacturing methods in practice.
The event also featured an evening celebration to honor FMT’s 20-year journey – hosted in the relaxed yet professional spirit that defines FMT Days.
In the upcoming spring, FMT Days will return on May 21–22, 2025, once again at the Nivala Technology Center. The theme will be “From Design to Production” – highlighting rapid product development, design for manufacturing, and quality assurance during the development process.
Attendees can look forward to timely presentations from both national and international contributors. The program will be structured around the 3DTY project, with additional participation from initiatives like KATI and IDiD, as well as various Finnish companies. Many long-standing FMT collaborators – and hopefully some new ones – will also be featured.
FMT Days are more than just an investment in expertise – they are a platform for meaningful networking. By attending, you gain insights into cutting-edge research, real industrial applications, and meet the people driving Finnish manufacturing technology forward.
So mark your calendar for May 21–22, 2025 and make your way to Nivala – where the future is being built, layer by layer!
21 years behind us, the future ahead – and we’re just getting up to speed!
Spring regards,
Antti Järvenpää, D.Sc. (Tech.), Research Director, University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute, Future Manufacturing Technologies (FMT) Research Group
Photo: Elisa Kujala
In Kerttu Saalasti Institute's blog we write about the topics of the Institute's research groups, micro entrepreneurship education and the Institute's general topics. The authors are researchers, experts and members of networks.
Our topics are: micro entrenepreneurship, future manufacturing technologies, regional excellence, micro entrepreneurship education
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