On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Co-Creation Institute for Advanced Materials hosted the "International Symposium on Metal Additive Manufacturing" with the cooperation of the Next Generation Tatara Co-Creation Centre at the University Hall, Shimane University. The symposium presented future perspectives on materials science research and human resource development at Shimane University, along with introducing global cutting-edge cases of Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology, which serves as the Institute's core technology. Additionally, a panel discussion was held to explore new business opportunities for local material manufacturing companies by utilizing AM technology.

The symposium attracted approximately 200 participants from Japan and overseas, including online attendees. Among the participants were leading professors from the UK as the keynote presenters, national government officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), local government officials from Shimane Prefecture, faculty members and staff, students, and engineers from companies both within and outside the prefecture.

The symposium was conducted in two parts.

Part 1 began with an opening address by Professor Hiroki Otani, President of Shimane University, followed by guest speeches from Mr. Makoto Nitta, Director of the Commerce, Industry and Labor Department, Shimane Prefecture, and Mr. Masashi Hoshino, Director of the Machine Parts and Tooling Industries Office, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Subsequently, Professor Kazuto Arakawa, Vice Director of the Next Generation Tatara Co-Creation Centre and Professor Tsuyoshi Mihara, Dean of the Faculty of Materials for Energy presented Shimane University's initiatives and case studies in research on materials science and human resource development. Furthermore, Professor Hideo Miura, Director General of the Co-Creation Institute for Advanced Materials, which was newly established in January this year, clarified the Institute's philosophy and objectives. He stated that the Institute serves the region as a Research and Development Hub based on industry-academia-government collaboration, and declared their commitment to focusing on research and development and human resource development to achieve this goal.

In the first half of Part 2, Mr. Masashi Hoshino, addressed a keynote speech. He presented the current state of Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology implementation both domestically and internationally, and outlined METI's approach toward establishing a new vision for SOKEIZAI industry (see footnote;” What’s SOKEIZAI?”)  aimed to raise nationwide awareness and adoption of AM in Japan.

Following this, Professor Roger Reed, who serves as both a professor at the University of Oxford and Director of the Next Generation Tatara Co-Creation Centre, gave a lecture on how designing impacts the effectiveness in AM technology. Furthermore, Professor Yuanbo Tang from the University of Birmingham lectured on the current status and future prospects of cutting-edge AM technology.
Each presentation was followed by dynamic question-and-answer sessions.

In the latter half of Part 2, Professor Akihiko Chiba, Full-time Contract Professor at Tohoku University and the Co-Creation Institute for Advanced Materials at Shimane University, explained how Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology is becoming a crucial foundational technology that will revolutionize the manufacturing industry. He also introduced the Institute's research and development strategies.

Following his presentation, a panel discussion was held on the theme "Potential for Business Efficiency and New Business Creation through the Introduction of Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology in Shimane Prefecture Companies." Representatives from manufacturing companies both within and outside Shimane Prefecture engaged in discussions about expectations for new technology adoption, challenges they face, and their hopes for how the Institute is involved.

The session concluded with remarks from Mr. Makoto Nitta, Director of the Commerce, Industry and Labor Department of Shimane Prefecture, who expressed his expectations for both the Institute and local enterprises.

Finally, Professor Hideo Miura, Vice President in charge of Material Research at Shimane University, delivered the closing remarks. He emphasized that strengthening regional and industrial revitalization can be achieved through collaboration among industry, academia, and government sectors, with each party understanding their respective roles and circumstances.

In conclusion, it was reaffirmed that Shimane University will make its research capabilities in materials science stronger, and promote world-leading knowledge, technological development, and product development through forged industry-academia-government collaboration, believing this initiative will definitely contribute to the regional revitalization. And this will reach to foster next generations of talented, promising and young professionals, who will settle in the region for a brighter day. 

*footnote;” What’s SOKEIZAI?”

The SOKEIZAI industry encompasses sectors that manufacture products with specific shapes and functional properties by applying techniques such as heating and pressurizing materials to achieve desired transformations. This industry not only produces the final products but also supplies the machinery and equipment essential for these manufacturing processes, as well as industries that enhance product performance through heat treatment and other processes.

Specifically, the SOKEIZAI industry comprises the following process and technologies:casting, die casting, forging, metal pressing, powder metallurgy, metal molds, valve, cast and forged steel production, metal fittings, forging press machines, industrial furnace, metal heat treatment, and metal additive manufacturing.

(Reference: METI, https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/mono/sokeizai/sokeizai-vision.html )