The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) agency, Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) has partnered with Colegio de Muntinlupa (CDM) to establish a 3D printing hub. That should boost the latter’s 3D printing or additive manufacturing capability and produce graduates knowledgeable in this particular Fourth Industrial Revolution technology.
This partnership is crucial because 3D printing is among the technologies under Industry 4.0. By sharing (the ITDI’s) knowledge, CDM graduates will be ready for this technology, especially abroad.
– Anabelle Briones, Director, Industrial Technology Development Institute
Anabelle Briones said the partnership between the public sector and the academe was formalised through the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU). Under the MOU, both parties will promote 3D printing technology or additive manufacturing by establishing the 3D Printing Training Hub at the CDM.
The government body is giving its all-out support to the promotion of the technology. As such, the partnership will also include training and research collaborations to equip the CDM students with skills and experience. That way, they can develop timely solutions through:
- Research and Development (R&D) initiatives
- Design iterations
- Materials characterisation
- Rapid prototyping using the different additive manufacturing tools.
It is committed to equipping students to gain mastery of the technology. Briones disclosed that they are willing to share knowledge on 3D printing. That should include the standards in establishing and operating a 3D printing facility. In this regard, ITDI’s Materials Development (MATDEV) laboratory could do the processing of materials and testing needed for CDM’s facility.
To ensure everyone can avail of the training, ITDI is willing to forego training fees and help less-privileged students. Briones confirmed that guidance and mentoring will be provided free of charge. Moreover, the ITDI head revealed how the technology can help everyone, and not just the students, in the Philippines. She cited patients needing prosthetic would benefit since prosthetic products’ size vary on every patient. Plus, those who have a product concept will also benefit because they could design and make a prototype of the product fast (using 3D printing technology).
She disclosed that the program is a pilot program and will soon be available to other schools in the Philipines. A network of 3D printing facilities across the country would help products reach their destinations faster and reduce the need to import them since new products can be created using 3D printing technology.
Additive manufacturing is digital manufacturing at its finest. As it ushers in smart manufacturing, its prospects can be mind-blowing. For example, anyone can create a digital model of the object to be produced and send the file to the manufacturer via the cloud. Normally, this is done by using a computer-aided design (CAD) program and employing some form of 3D scanning. Designers can also collaborate on a 3D design online.
Subsequently, the CAD model is converted into an appropriate file format, such as STL (stereolithography) for the 3D printer to process. By doing so, the industry benefits. Shoe companies can produce a pair of shoes that fits the customer to a tee. Also, prosthetics and teeth replacements can be manufactured exactly to the user’s specifications, and fast.
Indeed, the Philippine government’s commitment to digital transformation is notable. Not only does the public sector help the masses master emerging technologies with a slew of training, but also it is providing the right environment for technopreneurs to flourish. A glorious example is the CREATE Law which aims to help businesses keen on the latest ICT technologies by giving them tax breaks and incentives.
Also, Manila is catching up to the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) bug. As reported on OpenGov Asia, its central bank has formed a team to make it all happen. They may not be the first to do so in the region but surely, they’re catching up quickly.
