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David Farr, chairman and CEO of Emerson, was in Singapore earlier today (March 24) to officially open an additive manufacturing center on the site of the company’s Asia Pacific headquarters. He was joined at the launch by, among others, Mike Train, executive president, Emerson Automation Solutions, Ron Martin, president Asia Pacific, Emerson Automation Solutions, and Dr Koh Poh Koon, Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade & Industry.
The Singapore center, which will produce special customized and application-specific parts and products, will strengthen Emerson’s additive manufacturing program, which began three years ago with the opening of the additive manufacturing technology center in Marshalltown, Iowa, the global headquarters for Fisher final control products. While control valve components are the initial focus of the additive manufacturing program, both the Marshalltown and Singapore centers will actively work on R&D and production services for all Emerson businesses.
Emerson sees additive manufacturing as an enabler for its engineers to develop products that can meet the needs of more demanding and stringent processes out in the field and which are difficult or impossible to manufacture using conventional (subtractive) machining techniques. One example noted by ARC is an anti-cavitation cage, which was designed and patented several years ago but is only possible to manufacture now with the advent of 3D printing technology. Additive manufacturing will also help accelerate the testing of multiple versions of a prototype product or part, and promises to greatly simplify Emerson’s production supply chain.
Outlining the reasons to increase its activities and investment in Singapore, which has been a manufacturing and technology hub for Emerson since 1965, David Farr cited the country’s strong manufacturing ecosystem, favorable business climate, excellent transportation linkages, an educated workforce and good universities, and robust intellectual property protections. He also pointed to the consistent support from the Singapore government.
Lim Kok Kiang, assistant managing director of the Singapore EDB, said: “We are pleased to partner with Emerson in the opening of its new additive manufacturing center, which will help enhance Singapore’s standing as an internationally recognized hub for high-tech manufacturing excellence. This global center will not only raise our international competitiveness, but also contribute towards the grooming of skilled Singaporean talent in the area of advanced manufacturing.”
Along with the launch of the center, Emerson has also entered into a five-year research collaboration agreement with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore). Postgraduate students from NTU will be able to get real-world training in additive manufacturing at the Emerson center and carry out product research projects.