Grant for Brechin firm's cutting-edge tech

A sector-leading Brechin-based 3D printing business is set to help deliver up to £1 billion of benefits to the economy of the north east by bringing cutting-edge technology to Scotland for the first time thanks to a £175,000 grant from Zero Waste Scotland.

Andy Simpson with his certificate showing Zero Waste Scotland is funding his work on the circular economy.

It follows a presentation given last year by global manufacturing veteran Andy Simpson to Zero Waste Scotland and CEED on how additive manufacturing can aid the circular economy - providing green alternatives to traditional manufacturing.

He explained this can be done by reducing waste in the design process and extending the lifespan of machinery by allowing obsolete parts to be manufactured from 3D scans – cheaper, faster and using less input materials than traditional manufacturing.

Zero Waste Scotland was so impressed it invited Mr Simpson to apply for a grant from its Circular Economy Investment Fund to buy the world’s most advanced metal printing machine, the Markforged Metal X.

The fund is part of the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme, supported by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund to provide finance and support for SMEs in Scotland.

The machine uses the latest Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) technology – where metal powders are encased in plastic binders which are then melted off – to create objects with unprecedented levels of detail as well as faster than ever. It is believed the only machines in the UK to date are owned by a Formula One team and universities.

The machine, expected to be delivered in December, will be used to make new components for industries as diverse as oil and gas, medical and satellites and in the reverse engineering of obsolete parts. It is expected to help the business gain new clients as well as aid the growth of the circular economy in Scottish manufacturing.

Mr Simpson said: “I’m naturally delighted we’ve received this funding award from Zero Waste Scotland, because it will help our clients and the Scottish manufacturing industry develop their circular economy.

“Scotland has an impressive manufacturing history. To maintain and further develop this we must embrace the latest additive manufacturing technology and making it accessible, and therefore encourage the next generation to look at manufacturing as a career choice.”