Two Additive Manufacturing research facilities to open in the Philippines
April 11, 2019
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippines has inaugurated the country’s first Additive Manufacturing research facility and begun the construction of a second. The first facility to be opened by DOST is the Additive Manufacturing Research Laboratory (AMREL), based at Bataan Peninsula State University, which is said to be equipped with the latest Additive Manufacturing technology.
The AMREL facility will reportedly focus on the research and development of new materials, testing and characterisation of materials, rapid prototyping, tooling, manufacturing, training, education and empowerment, and design and analysis of parts and systems.
DOST’s second research facility is the Additive Manufacturing Center (AMCen), for which the groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Metals Industry Research and Development Centre. Two DOST agencies are expected to lead the overall management of AMCen: the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) will develop new materials for Additive Manufacturing, while DOST-MIRDC will lead advanced prototyping.
During the the ceremony, Fortunato de la Peña, DOST Secretary, emphasised the importance of partnerships with different agencies – national government organisations, non-government agencies, private companies, and academia – in optimising the programme objectives.
Dr Enrico Paringit, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director, is also optimistic on the prospects of Additive Manufacturing in the Philippines with the launch of the two facilities. “We are launching two centres for 3D printing research and development and we, in DOST-PCIEERD, are privileged to be part of this game-changing initiative. The Additive Manufacturing research industry will open the doors to previously unimaginable possibilities, and every single 3D printed product will unfold more innovations. Soon, how we create things will be different from what we’re used to,” he stated.
“With the recent trends in the Industry 4.0, advanced Additive Manufacturing will support our independence from many imported items as well as sustain our development. It will also serve as buffer with regards to the economic effect of importation, inflation, and dollar fluctuation while enhancing the technical support of the government to the industry,” stated Dr Rowena Cristina Guevara, DOST Undersecretary for R&D.
