Rotterdam extends 3D printing project

The multi-million euro project – which will include metal additive manufacturing facilities as well as research into metal printing, 3D scanning, 3D design and certification – will be available for port-related companies to accelerate development in the field and collaborate on maritime applications.

Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “3D printing is promising, but also complex. There are few companies with sufficient expertise and resources to start working with 3D metal printing on their own. This is why we are taking the initiative to create a Fieldlab that companies and knowledge institutes can join. The first 3D printer is to be commissioned here in the second half of this year.”

Fifteen companies have already signed a declaration of intent for participation in the project, which is expected to be operational in the second half of the year. Once the fieldlab, located at Rotterdam’s Innovation Dock, is financially stable the port authority intends to step back from the project.

Last year the Port of Rotterdam Authority, together with partners InnovationQuarter and RDM Makerspace, initiated a pilot project for the 3D printing of spare parts for the maritime industry. Companies including Keppel Verolme, Marin, Heerema, Huisman and Fokker, collaborated to develop and print components, and to create a database of knowledge to enable the future printing of other parts.

The project is one of eleven fieldlabs established by Smart Industry, a partnership comprising the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW), the Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (FME), the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), the Chamber of Commerce and ICT Nederland.
The results of the pilot project and the permanent centre were reported at the 3D Conference held in Rotterdam on 11 February.