Philippine Department of Science and Technology opens Advanced Manufacturing Center

The Philippines' Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to unveil the country’s first Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) which they plan to develop innovative 3D printing technologies, processes, and materials.

Dr. Rigoberto Advincula, Balik Scientist and Case Western Reserve University professor, will be leading the development of the center together with researchers from the Industrial Technology Development Institute(ITDI) and the Metals Industry Research and Development Center(MIRDC).

This initiative will strengthen and expand the country’s capabilities in 3D printing and advanced design and manufacturing in the following areas: 1) Aerospace and Defense, 2) Biomedical/Healthcare, 3) Printed Electronics, 4) Agricultural Machinery, and 5) Automotive.

The AMCen will be featuring two state-of-the-art research facilities:

1. The Multiple Materials Platform for Additive Manufacturing (MATDEV), a laboratory-scale facility for design, materials development.

2. The Research on Advanced Prototyping for Product Innovation and Development using Additive Manufacturing Technologies (RAPPID-ADMATEC).

The MATDEV will be testing additive manufacturing processes with materials such as ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and combinations thereof. The facility's goal is to to harness advantages of 3D printing like reduction in material cost, lead time and wastage.

RAPPID-ADMATEC will focus on the development and production of complex metal-based parts and materials using metal powders; cater to the production or localization of obsolete parts or repair. It will also improve manufacturing strategies and product quality through R&D, product development, consultancy and training services.

"Additive manufacturing has limitless potentials--from aircrafts and automobile to medical and fashion applications--it is possible to create products for the same or lower cost without compromising quality," said Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). "We are hopeful that with the establishment of AMCen we can see more researches geared towards this cutting-edge technology."