By Avelyn Ng
Experimental – that was how CEO of 3D Matters Matthew Waterhouse described the use of 3D printing a few years ago. Only about 20 per cent of 3D Matters’ business were made for industrial use. The rest were mainly for prototypes, models, figurines and corporate gifts. That is not the case anymore.
Since 2015, regular large-scale production – predominantly metal – accounts for over 50 per cent of the business. Seeing the rising demand, Matthew Waterhouse set up 3D Metalforge, a sister company of 3D Matters, in 2016 and launched its additive manufacturing centre in May 2017, which provides end-to-end solutions from design and engineering to printing and finishing. Additive manufacturing refers to technologies that build 3D objects by adding material in layers.
Efficiency for Everyone
“For specialist parts, typically we can see cost savings of 10 to 20 per cent compared to traditional manufacturing. There is a lot of interest for obsolete parts that are no longer available by original manufacturer anymore. By doing that, we can save an entire system.
“There is no minimum quantity for this technology and lastly, it is faster. So, if you need an urgent part for a marine vessel, it can mean a difference between five to seven days and five to seven weeks, which saves downtime and delays,” said Mr Waterhouse.
3D Metalforge Operations Specialist Maidee n Kunju Noushad too saw the potential in 3D printing technology in 2015. He proactively took up a part-time specialist diploma in additive manufacturing at Nanyang Polytechnic, after 17 years in the traditional metal manufacturing field.
“Singapore is not going to be a manufacturing hub. It is transitioning into an innovative hub. If you improve yourself and grow together with the technology, you don’t need to worry about the future,” said 40-year-old Noushad, who attained the SkillsFuture Study Award upon course completion.
According to him, one person can now complete a task that had required three people, and handle up to 50 per cent more projects in a day depending on the level of complexity.
Building Capabilities
3D Matters and 3D Metalforge combined currently have eight 3D printers for a range of different materials. It is working with A*STAR’s Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster and Singapore University of Technology and Design to develop two more equipment with technologies that can produce larger metal parts at a higher speed.
As part of the collaboration, SIMTech representatives have been conducting design optimisation and broad-based additive manufacturing trainings for the employees.
“The highest quality print comes from a design team that can engage the clients, a production team that knows how to set the print right and handle the finished parts. Equipment is important, but to have staff that can manage it and value-add is absolutely critical to build client relationships and good products. We need staff that are technologically trained and understand the sectors they are working in,” shared Mr Waterhouse.
