“We chose LRQA’s facility qualification program because like us, it’s innovating in a fast-changing industry,” said Matthew Waterhouse, CEO of 3D Metalforge.
Singapore – LRQA has issued a facility qualification certificate to 3D Metalforge, Singapore’s first end-to-end additive manufacturing centre.
3D Metalforge opened in 2017. It features a full range of metal printing services, including design, engineering, material advisory, diagnostics, testing, printing and post-production. 3D Metalforge produces parts for the industrial sector, including the oil and gas, marine, and construction industries.
“We chose LRQA’s facility qualification program because like us, it’s innovating in a fast-changing industry,” said Matthew Waterhouse, CEO of 3D Metalforge. “Gaining facility qualification according to LRQA and TWI’s guidance means we can better communicate our value to key industrial clients, providing the assurance only LRQA can provide.”
LRQA's rich history in the marine, offshore and industrial manufacturing area was another factor for 3D Metalforge, as well as the fact that LRQA was the first classification society to issue formal guidance notes on the use of additive manufacturing in the marine industry more than two years ago.
A 3D Metalforge employee turning on an SLM (Selective Laser Melting) machine.
“At this juncture, large format 3D printing in the maritime industry is developing rapidly,” added Waterhouse. “Quality and standards can therefore really help by providing a sustainable and practical framework for all partners in the ecosystem to advance AM procedures and technologies in a more structured manner.”
The facility qualification is the fifth approval of an AM manufacturer that LRQA has delivered in recent months.
“Singapore has long been a key maritime hub and is rapidly establishing itself as a global leader in additive manufacturing,” said Hussain Quraishi, Strategic Projects Lead at LRQA’s Global Technology Centre in Singapore. “We are pleased to be able to qualify 3D Metalforge and work with them to provide our clients in the region the ability to take advantage of the technical and commercial benefits Additive Manufacturing allows. As an LR-qualified facility with both powder bed fusion and laser metal deposition AM processes available, 3D Metalforge will be able to print both smaller complex parts as well as larger parts demanded by the marine and offshore sectors.”
LRQA and its parent organization, the LRQA Foundation, have been involved in AM projects, funding independent research and insight into AM processes since 2014. LRQA is also involved in several working groups for international AM standards. It also certified the first 3D printed component for the oil and gas industry in 2017.
Quality and standards can really help by providing a sustainable and practical framework for all partners in the ecosystem to advance AM procedures and technologies.
