Cooperation between authorities and industry strengthens comprehensive security in Finland.
The Finnish Defence Forces joined the FAME ecosystem (Finnish Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem), which promotes the utilisation of additive manufacturing. The ecosystem is led by DIMECC Oy and brings together more than 60 companies and research organisations.
“Within the Finnish Defence Forces, the usability of additive manufacturing in military logistics has been systematically studied for approximately ten years. The deployment of additive manufacturing and networking with the civilian component are based on the Defence Forces’ additive manufacturing strategy,” says Engineer Captain Eemeli Kärkäs of the Finnish Defence Forces.
“It is seen that through FAME membership, additive manufacturing actors can be integrated as part of the logistics system in accordance with the comprehensive national defence model, which is conducive to strengthening, among other things, supply chains. As a technology, additive manufacturing enables the development of material performance as well as the rapid generation, testing, and deployment of innovations. The benefits of membership are also seen in the synergies produced by research and education cooperation in the field and in the expansion of such cooperation together with industry actors,” he continues.
The participation of the Finnish Defence Forces represents a significant step for the DIMECC-led FAME ecosystem in deepening cooperation between authorities and industry.
“The involvement of the Finnish Defence Forces demonstrates the strategic importance of additive manufacturing and the central role of cooperation between authorities and industry in strengthening comprehensive security in Finland. At the same time, it creates an opportunity for the Finnish additive manufacturing industry to demonstrate its capability to provide impactful and value-adding expertise in support of public authorities,” states Ecosystem Lead Eetu Holstein of DIMECC.
“The participation of public authorities is essential for the development of companies’ capabilities, enabling Finnish additive manufacturing to grow in a long-term manner and maintain its international competitiveness,” he adds.
The FAME ecosystem covers the entire additive manufacturing value chain, from material and equipment manufacturers to designers, software developers, service providers, standardisation bodies, and industrial companies utilising additive manufacturing. Members include, among others, Millog and Patria. Patria was involved in founding the FAME ecosystem together with nearly 20 other companies in 2020.
“This is a significant development for additive manufacturing in Finland and for the FAME ecosystem. The Finnish Defence Forces have been doing an excellent job in leveraging additive manufacturing for years, and their level of expertise is very high. I warmly welcome them to join the collaboration in which innovative domestic competence and know-how are built together with FAME members,” says Mika Mustakangas, Member of the FAME Management Board and Development Manager at Patria.
