Additive manufacturing is one of today's rapidly advancing digital manufacturing technologies. This technology, which enables the rapid production of complex and difficult-to-make parts directly from digital models, saves time and resources in product development processes. The share of additive manufacturing technologies is rapidly increasing within civil aviation, automotive and composite industry which are subject to strict regulations and standards. Additive manufacturing has become crucial for Turkish SMEs as Turkey has become a global manufacturing hub. However, lack of sufficient technological infrastructure, international standardization and R&D studies is affecting the competitiveness of SMEs in Turkey.

Sabancı University's Direct Digital Production Platform (DIMAP) is being implemented to form a digital manufacturing platform for developing smart and digital manufacturing technologies to directly manufacture complex and critical components and high value-added functional products using additive manufacturing (AM). The project will increase the competence of SMEs in direct digital manufacturing technologies to overcome the challenges in their competitiveness. Through DIMAP, the capacities of SMEs SMEs in Istanbul, Kocaeli and Bursa will be strengthened with trainings and awareness activities, while their access to financial supports will be increased through international grant applications. DIMAP will also carry out various activities to increase awareness of direct digital manufacturing technologies and to increase cooperation between stakeholders.

The existing additive manufacturing laboratories at the Sabancı University Integrated Manufacturing Center will be expanded with new facilities. SMEs will not only benefit from this digital manufacturing infrastructure, training, prototyping, demonstration, and innovation management activities but also participation to EU Programmes.

The Project aims to increase Turkey’s manufacturing SMEs competitiveness and uplift them to global level through their digital transformation. Through DiMAP, new products will be developed by establishing research partnerships with new and existing businesses and the patents for these products will be targeted at national, regional and international level. In addition, these enterprises are expected to prioritize women employment and benefit from equity financing mechanisms for their research activities.

Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to initiate 4 research partnerships for the development of new and innovative products, and 8 new and innovative product prototypes. In addition, within the scope of the project where 4 national patent applications are planned, 2 international and regional patent applications are envisaged.