- Singapore advances aerospace leadership through Phase Two of Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab.
- 3D printing integration reduces lead times, waste, and boosts component performance.
- New national standard SS 708 ensures safe and reliable aerospace 3D printing.
Singapore is enhancing its status as a worldwide aerospace center with the initiation of Phase Two of the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab (SMJL), a collaboration among the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Rolls-Royce, and Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited (SAESL). The project seeks to improve maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes through the integration of cutting-edge automation and additive manufacturing technologies.
A key emphasis of Phase Two is the utilization of 3D printing for repairing components and overhauling engines. Integrating additive manufacturing into the MRO process, the partners seek to shorten lead times, decrease material waste, and enhance the performance of intricate components. The enhanced processes are anticipated to enable the Fan Blade Singapore facility to increase production by more than 30 percent without enlarging its physical space.
The latest phase enhances SAESL’s S$242 million expansion in Seletar, incorporating the building of a 26,000-square-meter facility and the renovation of its current area. Upon completion, the project will increase the company's engine overhaul capacity to nearly 400 engines annually and generate approximately 500 new jobs, thereby enhancing Singapore's aerospace ecosystem.
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To maintain the uniform quality of 3D-printed parts, Singapore has introduced a new national standard, SS 708, called “Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace: Filament Layer Manufacturing Process Specifications.” This updated standard sets forth explicit rules for secure and reliable additive manufacturing across the nation's aviation and related industries.
The SMJL initiative signifies a worldwide shift towards digitally focused MRO activities, as aerospace manufacturers increasingly adopt 3D printing to enhance efficiency and sustainability. This partnership enables Singapore to lead in next-generation aerospace manufacturing, fusing innovation, precision, and intelligent production to bolster the industry's future.