SEAM Technology Gateway, based in SETU Waterford, is an industry focused applied research centre, providing innovative materials engineering solutions to companies from wide-ranging sectors such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, microelectronics and precision engineering. Funded by Enterprise Ireland, SEAM supports research activities for industries in the South East of Ireland and beyond.
What is the SEAM Technology Gateway?
SEAM’s core capabilities are in the areas of (i) Non-destructive analysis of materials and components via 3D x-ray (ii) Failure analysis of product and components, (iii) Finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of components and systems (iv) Metal Additive Manufacturing and (v) Material characterisation using multiple analytical techniques. SEAM also has specialised state-of-the-art research facilities and has a highly qualified technical staff who have experience in a wide range of materials research and analysis techniques. SEAM is well versed in the analysis of all types of materials, from steels to ceramics, and is committed to the pursuit of excellence in their assistance to industry.
SEAM also draws academic support from the Engineering and Science faculties within SETU Waterford and provides world-class services to its clients. SEAM fosters a strong customer-centric culture with a mission to establish long-term business relationships with its customers, becoming an extension of their organisation, understanding their business and delivering on their technology needs. In addition, SEAM creates awareness of public funding opportunities that exist for industries to establish research partnerships with centres like SEAM.
To help its customers prosper in today’s challenging, competitive environment, SEAM assists both indigenous and multinational companies based in Ireland to engage in applied research. SEAM facilitates the development of technology solutions through collaboration and access to expertise within the Irish research infrastructure. The centre’s unique strength lies in its ability to anticipate, understand and respond quickly and professionally to industry needs through the provision of competitive, customised solutions. SEAM is one of 16 Technology Gateways within the network and is a member of the Engineering, Materials and Design Cluster (EMD Ireland) collaborating with sister gateways on a wide range of industry projects.
What expertise is available at SEAM?
SEAM offers the following key supports for industry:
- X-Ray micro-tomography (XMT) (3D non-destructive characterisation)
- Finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics
- Materials analysis and characterisation
- Engineering design
- Development of novel materials
- Additive manufacturing
- Engineering consultancy
- Failure analysis
- Strategic research partnership programmes (short, medium and long term)
- Technology transfer (from lab, to pilot line, to commercialisation).
What type of companies do SEAM collaborate with?
SEAM services clients across all industrial sectors. Today, this client base comprises of over 235 different users split across various sectors. As might be expected in Ireland, this split is primarily in medical devices and precision engineering sectors, with pharmaceuticals, electronics and academic collaborations making up the bulk of the balance. SEAM creates value-added competitiveness to industries using the latest technologies to deliver real solutions for real problems. SEAM has a proven track record of delivering for industry and has executed over 2750 direct-funded industry projects to its client companies since its launch in 2009. SEAM is working with a wide range of companies from SMEs to Multinationals. Notable SEAM repeat clients include Teva, Bausch and Lomb, Schivo, Garrett, Stryker, Sanofi, Integer, GSK, Pfizer, Glanbia, Valeo and Boston Scientific.
What facilities and technologies are available?
The SEAM facility has a wide range of technologies available in areas such as: Material Characterisation, Failure Analysis, Mechanical Property Analysis, Metrology Analysis, Engineering Simulation, Contamination Identification, Design Optimisation and 3D Printing. Further details on facilities and technologies are available here.
To find out more about SEAM Technology Gateway, check out their website or follow them on Twitter.