metal-powder.net September/October 2013 MPR 33

additive manufacturing

New US$30 million AM centre in Singapore

The new AM centre will be located at Nanyang Technological

University (NTU) in Singapore.

A new additive manufac-ture (AM) research centre has been built at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.

The NTU Additive Manufacturing Centre (NAMC), supported by Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), will have the latest 3D print-ing machines, including laser-aided equipment for building metal parts and objects for industry.

The 300m2 centre will work closely with the manufactur-ing industry on R&D projects to develop new materials, software and processes lead-ing to commercial applica-tions.

“Due to its ability to address volatile industrial demands, and because it can adapt easily with evolving technological trends, addi-tive manufacturing is the optimal choice of technology in today’s knowledge-based

economy,” said Professor Chua Chee Kai, chair of NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering who will also be the director of the new centre. “The NTU Additive Manufacturing Centre will be keeping Singapore at the forefront of 3D printing technology, developing capabilities not yet available elsewhere in the world.”

The NTU Additive Manufacturing Centre builds on NTU’s strong R&D capa-bilities to grow a competi-tive additive manufacturing industry in Singapore, noted Julian Ho, assistant man-aging director, Economic Development Board. “By training students and col-laborating with industry on R&D, we hope the centre will enable companies in Singapore to take advantage of this exciting technol-ogy as they develop better products. In the longer term, we see additive manufactur-ing as one of the disruptive

technologies which will ensure that our manufactur-ing industry remains globally competitive.”

Advanced manufactur-ing technologies have been identified as a new growth opportunity for Singapore’s manufacturing sector, which is a key growth driver, accounting for 22% of the country’s gross domestic product. Recently, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that EDB will set aside US$500 million over the next five years to support a future of manufacturing plan that will develop new technologies such as 3D printing.

In addition, NTU will be introducing a new pro-gramme specialisation in additive manufacturing in the current master’s degree programmes on precision engineering, mechanical engineering and manufactur-ing systems and engineering, at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Optomec has 100% bookings growth in first half of 2013Optomec, a supplier of addi-tive manufacturing systems for 3D-printed metals and printed electronics, reported record order levels for both its LENS 3D printers for structural metals and aerosol jet systems for 3D printed electronics, representing a 100% increase in bookings compared to the same period last year.

These results reflect con-tinued strong market interest for industrial strength addi-tive manufacturing solutions, especially systems capable of addressing high-volume production requirements, the company said. Optomec cus-

tomers are currently using LENS and Aerosol Jet systems for production applications within the consumer electron-ics, life sciences, and aero-space/defence industries.

First-half orders increased more than 100% over the prior year same period, and already equal orders received for the full year 2012. New system orders for LENS 3D printers for metal represent-ed 45% of total bookings and the remaining 55% were for aerosol jet systems used for printed electronics applica-tions.

“The first 6 months were a tremendous start to our year,

with strong global demand for both Aerosol Jet and LENS systems,” said Dave Ramahi, Optomec president and CEO. “The Optomec product line-up remains highly differenti-ated in the additive manufac-turing space, with our ability to print fully functional metal and electronic components at low cost and with very high output rates. We expect to continue on this growth trajectory as industry’s adop-tion of such solutions is only accelerating.”

Optomec said it is particu-larly encouraged by recent progress with the introduc-tion of a production solution

for 3D Printed Antenna used in smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. According to Ramahi, the first high-throughput system, capable of printing up to two million parts per year, has been commissioned at a con-tract manufacturer in China.

Ramahi said Optomec is also engaged with many other leading suppliers. “Demand for this solution is being driven by a sig-nificantly lower cost profile, coupled with environmental and health benefits derived from eliminating plating in the production process,” he stated.

MPR0513_AM news 33 11-10-2013 09:08:07