Ecor International and Il Sentiero International Campus recently travelled to Rome for a conference on 3D printing with the Italian Armed Forces. The two companies joined together with A.N.U.T.E.I. (the National Association of Technical Officers of the Italian Army) to organize and take part in the event, which was entitled “Additive Manufacturing – 3D Printing”.
The conference was hosted by the Land Armaments Directorate in the headquarters of the Secretariat General of Defence and it covered the latest news about professional expertise in the field. In particular, it was aimed at young Officers from the Corps of Engineers and the objective was to make the members of the Armed Forces aware of the technological innovations that have recently come into use in the industrial world.
There were approximately 150 participants, who were welcomed by Lt Gen Antonio Gucciardino (the National President of A.N.U.T.E.I.), Sergio Lucietto (the President of Ecor International), Valter Orsi (the Mayor of Schio), Lt Gen Francesco Castrataro (the Land Armaments Director), and Army Corps General Nicolò Falsaperna (the Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director). The latter gave an introductory talk about the topic at hand, covering everything from strictly technical matters to much broader considerations, including reflections on the logistics 4.0 that will soon become a part of life in the Armed Forces. It was a real “master class”.
During the conference, contributions were made by prominent speakers from both academic circles and the industrial world. They discussed specific topics relating to 3D printing and shared concrete, practical experiences.
Prof. Fabrizia Caiazzo from the University of Salerno gave an overview of the state of the art and the technical and scientific aspects of the technology. The engineer Gabriele Rizzi from Beam.it talked about new integrated design and production methods, and presented a case study featuring aeronautical applications. Claudio Giarda, an engineer at Dragonfly, gave a talk on Digital Aerospace MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and experiments with rapid manufacturing of metal replacement parts using 3D printing. Massimo Petrilli and Marco Andreetta of Sisma shared their company’s experiences producing 3D printing machines. The engineer Domenico Stocchi from Ecor International then presented some possible industrial developments in the Defence sector. Paolo Fabbricante from Leonardo told the audience about logistics 4.0 and the potential for the use of 3D printing, while his fellow engineer Marco Falzetti, from the Agency for the Promotion of European Research (APRE), focused on the new prospects for research in the EU for the Defence industry. Finally, General Arnaldo della Sala, the Army Chief of Transport and Materials, confirmed that Military Logistics is currently moving towards the use of 3D printing and gave the first example of how it can be put into practice.
In addition, over the course of the day there was a practical demonstration of the utilization of a 3D printing machine, which was provided by Il Sentiero International Campus. Using continuous fibre manufacturing technology, it is capable of producing parts made of composite materials that are reinforced with glass fibres, carbon or Kevlar with high mechanical strength. There were a number of components on display that were made using this and other forms of 3D printing technology.
The event also featured commemorative initiatives to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, while also showcasing Ecor International’s local area, which was one of the sites of the conflict.
The G.E.S. choir from Schio presented a series of folk and religious songs that either came from the historical period in question or were inspired by it. There was a big emphasis on local historical figures and locations in the pieces chosen. The Italian national anthem and Signore delle Cime by Bepi de Marzi were two of the songs that were most warmly received by the audience. In addition, a number of panels were set up with photographs and descriptions of the “Strada delle 52 Gallerie” (“Road of 52 Tunnels”): a mule track that connects Pasubio and Bocchetta Campiglia in the Vicenza Prealps. It was built in 1917 to serve the front line and it is still considered a masterpiece of military engineering today.
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“I would like to thank Ecor International because it has helped the National Association of Technical Officers to continue performing its role of supporting and conveying technical and military expertise,” said the A.N.U.T.E.I. President, General Gucciardino. “Praiseworthy initiatives regarding technical and scientific matters such as these are carried out in accordance with the Articles of Association. We give them concrete form by intelligently keeping track of the developments in practical and organizational means at the Army’s disposal. All sound measures possible are taken to enhance the functions and prestige of the technical side of the Army.”
“We are honoured to be able to work on projects alongside our Armed Forces,” said Sergio Lucietto, the President of Ecor International. “We are extremely proud to feel that we are part of this joint effort, because the goal of initiatives such as these is security and safeguarding our families and traditions.”
“Ecor International has decided to venture into the world of Defence as it pursues a diversification strategy built on the specialist expertise that it has acquired in its core business: manufacturing critical and complex products for automatic machines,” explained Fabrizio Casadei, the CEO of Il Sentiero International Campus. “Another of our distinguishing features is the ‘dual’ nature of many of our goods and services. Right from the development stages, we now take into account the potential for the use of the products in both civil and military environments at the same time. For instance, take the developments in “food contact materials”, which can be customized for specific CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) areas. We have decided to make substantial investments in Additive Manufacturing, which is considered a truly ground-breaking form of production technology. We are equipped with primary printing machines and we are building up expertise of the whole production chain: from powder metallurgy and sintering technologies to post-processing procedures. After an initial research phase that will last another one or two years, we will be ready to release dedicated products that have been specifically developed for our markets.”
“I learned a great deal from the experience in Rome alongside the company, which is so vibrant and constantly striving to innovate,” revealed Valter Orsi, the Mayor of Schio. “Furthermore, it filled me with that sense of pride that I feel when I realize just how exceptional and unfailingly forward-thinking our local area is. Ecor International’s presence at this national conference – and the possibilities that it presents in terms of contacts and important partnerships in which it can make the most of its know-how – can only add to my pride in the fact that Schio is home to such a healthy company with a fearless vision that is perfectly in keeping with the times.”
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