Philippines: Department of Science and Technology Opens Additive Manufacturing Facility

3D printing continues to take hold in the Philippines, and government officials from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are embracing technology with the unveiling of the first Manufacturing Centre (AMCen) in the Philippines, where they plan to develop not only in hardware, but also related processes, and 3D printing materials.

Philippine officials are following the Industry 4.0 model, working to develop 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes within their country to include:

• Aerospace and defense
• Biomedical / hardware
• Printed electronics
• Agricultural machinery
• Automotive

AMCen will feature two separate research facilities:

1. The Multiple Materials Platform for Additive Manufacturing (MATDEV) – a laboratory-scale facility for design and materials development
2. The Research on Advanced Prototyping for Product Innovation and Development using Additive Manufacturing Technologies (RAPPID-ADMATEC) – responsible for creating innovation designs and rapid prototypes and focusing on 3D printing with metal powders. Scientists will also develop methods for fabricating, repairing and maintaining older or obsolete parts.

Researchers will be testing further AM processes with a variety of materials too like ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and combinations thereof. They plan to harness advantages of 3D printing like overall affordability, speed in production, and less waste of materials.

{Photo credit: OMLC)

“Additive manufacturing has limitless potentials–from aircrafts and automobile to medical and fashion applications–it is possible to create products for the same or lower cost without compromising quality. We are hopeful that with the establishment of AMCen we can see more researches geared towards this cutting-edge technology,” said Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director for the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

While the Philippines is already innovating in many industries with 3D printing, they plan to strengthen and expand efforts further at the facility, along with reaching out to academia within the country and enhancing research and development too.

Dr Rigoberto Advincula, Balik Scientist and Case Western Reserve University Professor, is slated to lead the new 3D printing center, along with researchers coming together from both the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) and the Metals Industry Research and Development Centre (MIRDC). Research and development efforts will strive to improve in quality and performance of the products created through 3D printing and additive manufacturing, along with enhancing strategies in manufacturing for the Philippines.

Innovators from the Philippines have been in the news previously for some epic 3D printing ventures, from bioprinting to create wind pipe scaffoldings for transplant patients to the construction of the world’s first 3D printed hotel, with additional plans for a large volume of homes to be fabricated by similar methods. Other large additive manufacturing facilities have been opening in the US and all over the globe during the past few years as industry giants and smaller companies alike discover the benefits of 3D printing in nearly every field.

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[Source / Images: OpenGov Asia; Republic of the Philippines]