SC3DP is the region’s largest R&D facility in additive manufacturing (AM) in terms of faculty and equipment, where researchers and engineers have gained experience with state-of-the-art AM technology for several years. In 2014, a Joint Lab was established with SLM Solutions, a leading metal AM equipment company, to push the boundaries of metal powder bed fusion technology.
Many major manufacturers also have long-term collaborations with SC3DP. Local companies such as ST Engineering, Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre, and Sembcorp Design and Construction have ongoing research programmes in the domains of aerospace, marine & offshore, and building construction applications respectively.
Emerson Automation Solutions, a global technology and engineering leader also partners with SC3DP by entering into a five-year research collaboration agreement with NTU in May 2016. The agreement sees the establishment of a new research and development centre in Emerson’s Singapore campus to drive state-of-the-art industrial 3D printing capability into the manufacture of process control valves.
Officially opened in March 2017, Emerson’s Global Additive Manufacturing Centre uses AM technologies to produce special customised and application-specific part and products which are impossible with traditional technology. NTU PhD students receive real-world training and exposure in AM at the Emerson centre, as they actively work with Emerson engineers on research and development and pilot production services for all Emerson businesses around the world.
