UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety science organisation, is due to open a Global Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Singapore. Additive manufacturing (AM), also commonly known as 3D printing, is defined as the process of joining materials to make objects from three-dimensional model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methods. With an investment of S$8million, this facility will be the first-of-its-kind, offering for both the UL and AM industry.
The new centre, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), will focus on advanced training, material and process validation programmes, advisory services, and research to support both the local and global AM industry. This project is driven by UL’s vision that AM will be the catalyst for global transformation in manufacturing. Through R&D collaborations with local research institutes and industry partners such as the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre, UL aims to help create a vibrant AM industry in Singapore and the region.
UL’s Global Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will address critical gaps in the industry through four key areas. First, it will provide an advanced training curriculum to speed up adoption and readiness of a strong AM workforce. Next, the centre’s validation programs will address AM material and process qualification. Third, the centre’s advisory services will provide best practices on AM fast to production and AM part acceptance. Lastly, research will be conducted at the centre to inform standards development.
“The Global Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at UL will play a catalytic role in helping our industrial companies strengthen their manufacturing competitiveness. This global centre is also aligned with Singapore’s vision to be the advanced manufacturing hub of Asia that drives the development of disruptive technologies such as Additive Manufacturing and robotics,” said Mr. Lim Kok Kiang, Assistant Managing Director of EDB. “We are confident this new investment will add to the vibrancy of the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector in Singapore.”
Over the next several years, the facility’s four technical service areas will support and expand Singapore’s already well-established 3D printing infrastructure. The centre is expected to employ 10 additive manufacturing technical experts.
“We are excited to help build the Singapore additive manufacturing ecosystem by contributing advanced training, validation programs, advisory services and research,” said Ms. Simin Zhou, Vice President of Digital Manufacturing Technologies at UL. “We anticipate this site will be the first step of several as we continue to expand into other 3D printing markets, bringing knowledge and best practices.”
