In the past year, they have offered hands on help to approximately 400 companies, both local and international, to assist them with the integration of advanced manufacturing technologies into their workflow. In addition to coaching and expertise, NAMIC has also worked to establish joint funding for nearly 40 projects that cross the bridge between business and academia and has a further 80 projects on its docket.
Dr. Ho Chaw Sing, NAMIC’s Managing Director, expressed the way in which this initiative helps industries take advantage of the possibilities provided through 3D printing:
“While 3D printing has taken off for customized products in the aerospace and biomedial industries, many local companies still find the barrier of entry quite high, due to the costly printers and a lack of expertise in additive manufacturing. Our objects are to reach, educate, and help link these companies to scientists and engineers at research institutes who already have existing 3D printing machines and the technical know-how. This way, we ensure that the innovative solutions developed through research will meet real business needs.”
“Singapore continues to support knowledge creation and value capture through science and technology. Facilitating industry growth through technology is key to developing our economy. We can accelerate this through mission oriented innovation clusters that strengthen partnerships across companies, universities, research institutes, and government agencies. Within this context, additive manufacturing has been identified as a key capability we would like to build through innovation clusters to forge a new technological edge for Singapore’s manufacturing sector.”
Given the high success rate at this early phase in NAMIC’s efforts, there is hope that over the next four years, they can reach out to over 1,000 companies in order to offer assistance in their internal processes and innovative developments in terms of 3D printing. Discuss in the NAMIC forum at 3DPB.com.
[Source/Image: NTU]