Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) has been chosen into a team that will take part in the pilot institute of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) known as the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII). The initiative was launched in March 2012 by US President Barrack Obama when an inter-agency team collaboratively concluded that the energy, defense, commercial and space sectors of the US would benefit from additive manufacturing.
Industrial polymer products
The President and CEO of OPM, Scott DeFelice stated that for many years, OPM has been leading in the additive manufacturing development and he is extremely happy that the company’s know-how and capabilities have been recognized. DeFelice added that he is looking forward to take part in this landmark initiative.
OPM employs additive manufacturing technology to manufacture industrial parts and biomedical implants from its proprietary polymer. The biomedical implants are manufactured through an additive technology known as selective laser sintering (SLS). The implants have application in cranial and facial reconstruction and orthopedic reconstruction for injuries resulting from trauma. Since additive manufacturing facilitates the production of any conceived geometry, an MRI digital imaging or CT scan can be used to design patient specific implants to achieve an anatomically perfect fit.
OPM products also cater to the defense sector. The company’s participation in NAMII is expected to give rise to growth opportunities and advance its global market position. OPM’s role in NAMII will involve the launch of a technical database for the company’s polymer products. The database will be used by engineers to devise efficient, light-weight structures which will find applications especially in the aerospace industry.