Underwriters Laboratories to open S$8m 3D printing hub in Singapore

US-BASED safety solutions company Underwriters Laboratories (UL) said on Thursday it will invest some S$8 million to open a Global Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Singapore.

Additive manufacturing (AM), better known as 3D printing, refers to the process of joining materials to make objects from three-dimensional model data; it will be the catalyst for the global transformation in manufacturing, said UL in a statement.

The new centre, believed to be the first-of-its-kind service offering for both UL and the AM industry, will focus on advanced training, material and process validation programmes, advisory services, and research for both the local and global AM industry.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), it will have the opportunity to collaborate with local research institutes and industry partners such as the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre.

"UL's Global Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence will play a catalytic role in helping our industrial companies strengthen their manufacturing competitiveness. This global center is also aligned with Singapore's vision to be the advanced manufacturing hub of Asia that drives the development of disruptive technologies such as AM and robotics," said Lim Kok Kiang, assistant managing director of EDB.