3D Metalforge opens metal additive manufacturing centre in Singapore
3D Metalforge, a metal 3D printing company based in Singapore, has unveiled its first end-to-end 3D Metal Additive Manufacturing Centre (AMC).
The AMC will house a complete suite of metal 3D printing technology and services, including post production and finishing, to advance the company’s design and engineering effort in support of its clients. 3D Metalforge’s new facility was jointly opened by Mr S. Iswaran, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, who also made a speech at the launch.
Delivering 3D metal solutions to key growth sectors, such as oil and gas, the AMC will be staffed with a local team of designers and engineers. With a host of 3D printing technology, from highly-detailed to large-scale, 3D Metalforge’s new facility will help customers re-design parts to recue material usage, improve performance, reduce costs and extend the lifespan of parts.
3D Metalforge opens metal additive manufacturing centre in Singapore
From L-R: Mr Matthew Waterhouse, CEO of 3D Metalforge; Dr John Yong, SIMTech’s Director of Industry Development Office; Minister Iswaran; Dr Ho Chaw Sing, Managing Director of NAMIC; and Dr Lim Keng Hui, Director of SUTD Digital Manufacturing & Design Centre
Additionally, small batch productions will be supported. This will save costs on production, shipping, and warehousing for customers, and is a boost for companies moving towards a ‘high-mix, low-volume’ production model, according to 3D Metalforge.
“Singapore’s strategic location, pro-business environment, high-technology infrastructure and its intense focus on the additive manufacturing sector to support our economic transformation to Industry 4.0 makes it a logical choice for us to setup our AMC here,” said Matthew Waterhouse, Chief Executive Officer of 3D Metalforge. “Today’s launch underscores 3D Metalforge’s commitment as a home-grown company to deliver end-to-end 3D metal printing solutions to our customers.”
The launch of the AMC was also used as a platform to announce two new partnerships, and detail the objectives of these partnerships. 3D Metalforge signed separate project collaborations with SIMTech, and NAMIC and SUTD’s Digital Manufacturing and Design Centre (DManD). NAMIC will also co-fund 3D Metalforge’s partnership with SIMTech.
SIMTech and 3D Metalforge will partner to commercially develop Singapore’s first large format Laser Aided Additive Manufacturing (LAAM) technology for 3D printing for industrial applications. The LAAM technology boasts one of the largest print beds available for metal 3D printing, and comes with super-fast deposition rate of up to 1kg per hour.
“We are delighted to partner with SIMTech to advance the 3D metal printing capabilities in Singapore,” added Mr Waterhouse. “The LAAM technology will be a game-changer for the industry. This means that we will be able to produce high quality, large format, cost-effective metal parts with first class mechanical properties that not only meets, but exceeds the quality standards for traditionally manufactured parts at our AMC. This will allow key industries such as aerospace, precision engineering, oil and gas, marine and offshore, and automotive to capitalise on the benefits of additive manufacturing.”
3D Metalforge opens metal additive manufacturing centre in Singapore
Singapore’s Minister for Trade& Industry Mr S Iswaran giving his openingspeech on the launch of 3D Metalforge AMC
SIMTech has developed the background intellectual property (IP) of LAAM, while the new equipment will be housed in 3D Metalforge’s state-of-the-art AMC.
Working with NAMIC and SUTD’s DManD, 3D Metalforge will develop and commercialise Hybrid Wired Arc Additive Manufacturing (H-WAAM) technology. Utilising cutting-edge robotics, plasma and machining technology, H-WAAM delivers a fast and cost-effective 3D metal printing solution. Customers can benefit from a significant increase in the size of 3D printed metal parts, now as tall as 1.5 metres.
H-WAAM uses feed material that is up to five time cheaper than traditional metal powders, and with the integrated hybrid machining technology, can produce parts of high quality. This integration makes it possible to machine between deposition layers and produce a nearer net-shape part.
