A*Star, Hitachi Metals extend 3D-printing tie-up to support manufacturers

Manufacturers in Singapore which use metal powders for 3D printing can receive further support after a three-year extension was inked last Friday between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*Star) Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and Hitachi Metals Singapore for their joint laboratory collaboration.

- Wallace Woon

The SIMTech-Hitachi Metals joint lab will also get an additional $8.5 million from the two partners, bringing the total amount invested to $14 million since the tie-up started in 2018.

According to Dr Yusaku Maruno, head of Hitachi’s Materials Solution Centre in Singapore, 3D printing, which is also known as additive manufacturing, uses metal powders made for traditional manufacturing processes.

He said: “During this three-year collaboration, we found that the quality of the materials used in 3D printing is very important to achieve a high-quality end product.

“With conventional materials, there are limitations.”