Researchers, designers, artists, and developers have been given the opportunity to show their ingenuity and creativity through 3D Printing technology, as the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ITDI) through its Materials Science Division (MSD) opened this year’s 3D Printing Winnovation TechFest.
The opening of the Winnovation TechFest was held on Oct. 20 in partnership with the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).
“This Winnovation contest is a venue for researchers, designers, artists, and technology developers to exhibit their ingenuity and creativity through 3D Printing technology,” DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said.
He noted that the concept of the competition began when the team from the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen), led by Dr. Blessie Basilia conducted a benchmarking activity in 2018 at Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP).
“One of the outputs of this benchmarking activity was to organize a nationwide 3D printing contest to bring awareness about the establishment of AMCen and promote its capabilities and services.”
The AMCen is the DOST’s top-of-the-line advanced manufacturing facility and state-of-the-art prototyping laboratory aimed at increasing the technological readiness, business sophistication and innovative capacity of the country’s manufacturing sector. The country’s first, world-class hub for additive manufacturing was launched and inaugurated by the DOST-MIRDC on June 14.
De la Peña recalled that during the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Day in September 2019, the first 3D Printing Winnovation TechFest was officially launched.
He said for this year, the virtual Winnovation exhibit got 16 entries with participants from Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Bicol.
“The contest has two categories: Industrial and Aesthetics, with ten and six entries, respectively.”