Shanghai Tech University’s CASE and ACAM announce cooperation in additive manufacturing research

Shanghai, March 3, 2023

Today, Shanghai Tech University’s Center for Adaptive System Engineering (CASE) and Germany’s Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing (ACAM) announced that they have signed an agreement for joint applied research, development and education in the field of additive manufacturing.

Picture: From the left to right: Zi Rong Zhai, Researcher of CASE; Kitty Wang, ACAM China Representative; Jan Marvin Schaefer, Business Development Asia ACAM ; Rui Yang, Director of CASE; Ying Na Wu, Deputy Director of CASE; Na Ni, Associate Researcher of CASE; Guang Ping Xie, Researcher of CASE.

CASE is thus the latest addition to the U-Link initiative, which aims to build close cooperation between ACAM and university partners in China. As the name of the initiative suggests, ACAM U-LINK is about acting as a hub for exchange between all university partners linked to ACAM through such agreements.

“Shanghai Tech University is young, energetic, and passionate to innovate. We are looking forward to working with the CASE Lab nurturing the next generation of innovative scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs as we create synergies and innovation together.” explains Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johannes Heinrich Schleifenbaum, Managing Director of the ACAM.

The U-Link collaboration, the partners and the vision behind the strategic partnership provide a strong foundation for bilateral projects and application-oriented results that will contribute to the advancement in science and its industrial application.

Dr. Rui Yang, director of the Center for Adaptive System Engineering at Shanghai Tech University, said, “We are very excited to collaborate with ACAM to jointly explore the complexity of additive manufacturing. Our goal is to further strengthen the manufacturing industry while contributing to the continuation of the friendly cooperation between China and Germany in applied research. Over the years, RWTH has trained many industry leaders and scientists. Located at the RWTH Aachen campus, ACAM is the ideal gateway to the additive manufacturing expertise of leading scientific and research institutions affiliated with RWTH Aachen University, their world-class talents and impressive research record in additive and smart manufacturing. ”

Picture: Center for Adaptive System Engineering (CASE) at Shanghai Tech University

The link between scientific research and industrial development is an important issue in China, as well as in many other markets around the world. Organizations and markets that have succeeded in creating a smooth transition to industrial application alongside continuous innovation in research have an advantage in terms of innovation power and speed. In fact, the deep involvement of industry partners in applied research, up to and including joint pre-competitive R&D, contributes significantly in innovation.

ACAM is a spin-off of RWTH Aachen University that builds a bridge between AM-relevant research and industrial application. From this perspective, it will be particularly interesting to see whether such an ecosphere and spirit of cooperation can also be developed in China.

About the partners:

The Center for Adaptive System Engineering (CASE) at Shanghai Tech University conducts research on the interdisciplinary basis of materials, physics, automation control, computer science, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, etc. CASE focuses on adaptive 3D printing materials, printing structure design, and printing process integration with systems, surface engineering, adaptive repair, precision inspection and automation, digital assembly and other fields. Through progressive and transformative research and integrated applications, CASE aims to build an adaptive manufacturing system based on data, Internet of Things, and closed-loop feedback of the entire manufacturing process, forming a high-end intelligent manufacturing technology platform, and committing to high-end manufacturing breakthroughs and innovations in the fields of design.

ACAM Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing is based on the RWTH Aachen Campus and pools resources and facilitates industry’s access to the Additive Manufacturing expertise of leading scientific and research institutions associated with RWTH Aachen University. ACAM covers the entire process chain, from design stage through to quality control and focuses on topics such as process chain automation, the development of customized materials, increasing productivity and reducing turnaround times. Additionally, ACAM offers opportunities for joint research and development, a sophisticated training and education program, as well as an online platform enabling industry members to build business connections and exchange practical knowledge.