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Case Study Paper on Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing Technology)

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 Philosophy of Technology

Case Study Paper on Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing Technology)

Robert R. Dancel

1. Introduction

Additive manufacturing is the term used for the technology that builds three – dimensional
objects by adding layers of materials such as plastic, wood, concrete or metal. It includes the
subsets such as 3D printing, rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, layered
manufacturing and additive fabrication. Additive manufacturing involves the use of a 3D
modelling software, layering equipment and the layering material to create 3D printed outputs.
The output to be built is first modelled in a 3D modelling software for conversion into codes
readable by the printer. The 3D printer then extrudes layer by layer the layering material to
create the 3D model. [1]

There are different category that comprises the additive manufacturing technology, SLA or
stereolithography is a technology utilizing laser technology to cure or harden layers of
photopolymer resin. The laser is directed as the trace of the model onto a layer of photopolymer
resin in a vat of photopolymer resin to cure the resin the laser has directed upon. The platform is
then lowered onto the vat for the curing of the next layer of photopolymer resin. This process is
repeated until the curing of the last layer for the completion of the model. [1] [2]

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Figure 1: Schematic diagram of Vat Photopolymerisation process. Additive Manufacturing

Research Group, Loughborough University

Another category in the additive manufacturing technology is FDM or Fused Deposition

Modelling. This technology involves extrusion of a heated material from a nozzle, in which the
extruded material will solidify upon cooling. The nozzle moves in horizontal directions while
the platform accounts for the vertical movement to create layers. The layers are fused in the
deposition process because of their melted state. [2]

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of Material Extrusion process. Additive Manufacturing Research

Group, Loughborough University

Material jetting is another category in the additive manufacturing technology wherein the 3D
printer creates the object in a similar fashion a two – dimensional ink jet printer operates.
Hardening of layers is through cooling or ultraviolet lights. [2]

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Figure 3: Schematic diagram of Material Jetting process, and photo of material jet printer.
Additive Manufacturing Research Group, Loughborough University

Binder jetting process utilizes a powder based build material and a binder that is usually in
liquid form. Because of the method of binding, the outputs are not suitable for structural
applications. [2]

Figure 4: Schematic diagram of Binder Jetting process and photo of binder jet printer. Additive
Manufacturing Research Group, Loughborough University

The Powder Bed Fusion is another category in the Additive Manufacturing whereby a laser or an
electron beam is used to melt or fuse powder materials. Once the materials are fused together, a
new layer of powder usually 0.1 mm thick is spread on top of the previous layer for fusion.
Other techniques employed in this category includes, direct metal laser sintering, electron beam
melting, selective heat sintering, selective laser melting and selective laser sintering. [2]

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Figure 5: Schematic diagram of Powder Bed Fusion process and photo of typical actual process.
Additive Manufacturing Research Group, Loughborough University

Sheet lamination process is another category which includes (UAM) Ultrasonic Additive
Manufacturing and (LOM), laminated object manufacturing. In UAM, sheets or ribbons of metal
are fused together using ultrasonic welding. LOM is somewhat the same with UAM in process,
the only difference is that, the material used is paper instead of metal, and adhesives are used to
bond the papers instead of welding. [2]

Figure 6: Photo of typical metal sheet laminates for UAM process and schematic diagram of
LOM process. Additive Manufacturing Research Group, Loughborough University

The Directed Energy Deposition (DED) has other terminologies such as laser engineered net
shaping, directed light fabrication, direct metal deposition and 3D laser cladding. The process
involves melting of material usually metal in the form of powder or wire by laser or electron
beam. However, polymers, and ceramics can also be used. [2]

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Figure 7: Schematic diagram of Direct Energy Deposition process and photo of typical DED
process. Additive Manufacturing Research Group, Loughborough University

It was at Battelle Memorial Institute in the late 1960’s where an attempt to create solid objects
from photopolymers started. This was after discovering that photopolymers solidify when struck
by two beams of laser with varying wavelengths. In 1967, Wyn K. Swainson of Denmark
applied for a patent using holography in the same approach as the dual laser beam approach. [3]
[4] [5]

The first 3D printing attempts was the one by Dr. Hideo Kodama of the Nagoya Municipal
Industrial Research Institute. In 1980, he applied for a patent for a rapid prototyping system by
using a single ultraviolet beam to cure the photopolymers. However, because of funding issues
he was not able to proceed to the examination stage for patent approval.

In 1984, a group of French engineers applied for a patent titled “Apparatus for Fabricating a
Model of an Industrial Part,” this involves using the single laser beam approach. The patent was
granted in 1986.

It was Charles Hull who was granted a patent in stereolithography in 1986, titled, “Apparatus for
Production of Three – Dimensional Objects by Sterelithography”. The process involves
hardening of photopolymer layers by computer- controlled beam of lights. In 1988, Carl
Deckard, was granted a patent for fusing powder grains locally by means of laser which he
called selective laser sintering (SLS).

In 1992, Scott Crump, a co- founder of Stratasys was granted a patent for Fused Deposition
Modelling (FDM). This process involves extrusion of a heated material from a nozzle, in which
the extruded material will solidify upon cooling.

In 1995, Z Corporation obtained an exclusive license from MIT with the Binder Jetting
technology in which the produced models are starch and plaster based materials with water
based liquid binder. [3] [4] [5]

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Fast forward to today from earlier attempts of creating solid objects in the late 1960s wherein
the application range from 3D modelling, rapid prototyping, parts manufacture, medicine
applications, to construction industry application… the technology has gone a long way.
Moreover, still, innovations and improvements with regards to specific applications need to
emerge to fully apply the benefits of the technology.

In the early stages of the additive manufacturing technology, its application is mainly focused in
rapid prototyping. This is primarily because during those times, the range of layering material
used is limited to plastics. But because of its foreseeable application in different fields,
exploration of different materials for different applications were experimented. And true enough,
now, because of the varied applicability of the technology in different fields, a wide variety of
materials are used as layering material.

In the construction industry, the use of concrete, polyurethane and even soil is successfully
evidenced in construction of houses. In 2017, Apis Cor, a Russian company successfully 3D
printed a 38 square meter house using concrete as the layering material for the wall of the house.
In 2018, WASP, an Italian company utilized clay earth as the layering material in the
construction of the wall of a 20 square meter house. Also in 2018, the 3D printed house project
of the University of Nantes in France used polyurethane in the wall construction. Though, at the
moment, 3D printing of house is limited to the 3D printing of the walls, the emergence of
innovations that will allow the technology to fully 3D print a house or even a building utilizing
sustainable materials is a matter of when and not how.

2. Trends in the technology

2.1 Global

In a 2017 article of John McEleney, one of the longtime board member of Stratasys, about the
future of 3D printing, five (5) items are enumerated which will be the trend to look for now and
in the future. The first item he jotted down is materials development. More materials will be
developed as a layering material for varied processes and applications he stated. Material
development for structural applications and medical applications are emphasized. The second
item which will be the trend is the affordability of metal 3D printers. Of course, with the
mainstreaming of the technology in the first world countries, it is inevitable that company will
compete for every dollar a potential consumer will spend on the technology. For a company to
win the dollar of a potential investor or consumer, one needs to innovate on one of the aspects of
the technology just so to make an edge over the other company. This could be in the form of
efficiency in the process, an innovation in the technology itself or an innovation in material
utilization. Nevertheless as a consequence of the increasing supply, cost is lowered. Because of
improved produced outputs in terms of structural integrity, it is expected that the technology’s
application goes beyond the typical prototyping but actual product output utilization in areas
requiring structural parts of manufacturing applications. The fourth trend to be anticipated in the
near future is the demand and emergence of new design tools which will eliminate the so- called
middle man. As an improvement of the technology, converting the 3D model into codes
readable by the printer could be skipped such that one may print directly from the computer to
the 3D printer. With adaptability of the technology in different applications, one of the ways

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company’s prevent their products from being commodities is offering the aspect of
customization in their products. With customization features of 3D systems, more value is
attributed to it since customization or personalization has value. An example cited by McEleney
is the application of the technology in orthodontics. Instead of putting an impression material in
the mouth of a patient, a 3D scan can be used to make the 3D model for treatment. [6]

In an article by Stephanie Benoit about five (5) trends in 3D printing for 2018, based from
industry experts, application driven came out to be the first in the list. Simply put, it is not
asking the question, what can this machine do but asking the question what does this machine
can do for you. Furthermore, it is finding ways how to apply the technology in different fields.
Automation is another trend in the coming years, whereby softwares used in 3D printing will be
automated as well. For example, in the 3D printing of an object that requires lattices as
supporting elements, current capability of the technology does require modelling the lattices as
well to be printed. Soon, the technology’s capability could be enhanced such that modelling the
supporting lattices is automatically generated by the software depending on the object’s design.
Another trend mentioned is its integration in the product design. With the technology, there will
be no need of stocking products because on demand products can be 3D printed based on the
data provided by the customer. This is possible because of the fast pace of production the
technology offers. Collaboration is a trend wherein the potentials of the technology is integrated
with different driving forces of technology such as the software industry, hardware as well as the
consumer demands. It is through these that adoption of the technology will be embraced. With
ever increasing demand for printing metal parts for varied applications, innovations and
improvements in this area is highly expected. Though traditional method of producing metal
parts still exists, the technology undoubtedly compliments the latter. [7]

In a recent survey conducted by Jabil, a manufacturing solutions provider, they discovered that
in just a matter of over a year from 2017 to 2019, there had been a drastic increase in the use of
the 3D printing technology in the following fields; 27% to 52% in production of parts, 23% to
39% in bridge production, 14% to 38% in repair in maintenance, and 30% to 37% in jigs,
fixtures and tooling. According to the company Jabil, among the five trends for 2019 are,
scalability from prototyping to production, this is based from their conducted survey, that, they
have seen a growth of 70% in bridge production through 3D printing in just two years.
Evidencing the technology’s application in bridge production strongly influence its application
to other fields of more or less the same structural requirements. Normalizing the digitization and
reorganizing the supply chain is another trend whereby the stocking of physical products in
warehouses that could be obsolete or be not in demand are avoided, instead there is stockpiling
of files in the cloud for access whenever there is a need for such. Offering greater flexibility and
more customized designs is another aspect of trend which is consumer centered, that is again
asking the question what can the technology do for you. Foreseeable is the development and
innovation in the materials used in the technology. The quest for sustainable development will
be the driving force in the search of renewable materials for product outputs in different
applications. Creating a more sustainable future with 3D printing is the ultimate gauge whereby
one could weight the sophistication of the technology. This should be the weighting scale of all
technologies…. its being in harmony with the nature. [8]

2.2 Local (Philippines)

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In the Philippines, the research and development arm of the country, the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST), fully embrace the paradigm shift brought about by disruptive
technologies, or the so – called Industry 4.0. Recently, the DOST unveils the first Additive
Manufacturing Center (AMCen) in the Philippines wherein through this, R&D relating to the
platform will bring about innovations in materials, processes, software and hardware. The
country invested with the Industry 4.0 model engages the researchers, scientists and innovators
of the country to contribute in the development and application of additive manufacturing in the
fields of aerospace and defense, biomedical and hardware, printed electronics, agricultural
machinery and automotive.

At the moment, the department has made efforts in researching varied materials such as
ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and combinations. They are in the goal of mainstreaming the
technology for maximum application to be able to harness the full potential and advantages of
the technology. The inherent features of the technology such as speed in production, and less or
no waste material will drive different industries for its adoption. With innovations in the area of
materials and cost of the equipment, we will expect a shift of how things in company’s and
industries’ will go about. With the involvement of the academic community, the quest of the
DOST in developing the technology for Philippine adoption will improve from seeing the vision
in the horizon to being at hand.

From the foregoing, we observe that the country has fully embarked in the transition to Industry
4.0 as evidenced by the country’s efforts to be abreast with current technologies. This was
evidenced by the directions at which the DOST envisions the direction of the Additive
Manufacturing to gear towards. The trends it hopes to address are the same as what the global
community thought of with regards to the technology. The country has also invested with
procurement of Industry 4.0 technology such as the Additive Manufacturing platform which is
geared for further research and development for Philippine adoption. These efforts will bring
about research and development atmosphere in different sectors of the country for the attainment
of the country’s vision through sustainable development. [9]

3. Applications of technology

3.1 Construction

In 2017, Apis Cor, a Russian company was able to 3D print a 38 square meter house
using their tower crane configured 3D printer.

In 2018, WASP, an Italian company 3D printed a 20 square meter house using clay
earth as the layering material. The inspiration for the application of the clay earth was
the insect potter wasp.

Also in 2018, the 3D printed house project of the University of Nantes in France
utilizing polyurethane as the layering material for walls was the first 3D printed
house to be inhabited. The Ramdani’s, a family with three children moved to the
house on July 6, 2018.

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 Philosophy of Technology

3.2 Manufacturing

In 2017, Michelin, a tire company, envisions a 3D printed tire made out of

biodegradable materials. Adidas, a shoe and an apparel company utilizes 3D printing
technology in the design and manufacture of shoes. The company offers
customization in ways that addresses specific needs of the consumer. Example, the
company can design a shoe not only depending on your foot size but depending on
one’s weight. Another application of the technology is in the design and manufacture
of a boat’s propeller.

3.3 Medicine

The technology has also made its way to medicine application, here in the
Philippines, in 2016, a spondylitis case was corrected by implanting a 3D printed
bone in a patient’s spine. The technology has also been applied in the 3D printing of
an artificial kidney. Research is on- going at the moment to 3D print a human tissue
heart. Research is also underway in the replacement of eye corneas utilizing the
technology.

3.4 Prosthetics

There has also been an extensive use of the technology in the production of
prosthetics. With the technology, company could offer customization levels that were
not available in previous methods. Now, prosthetic company could market products
with tag lines such as “arms that grow with you” or “bionic arms”. Other companies
were also into producing prosthetics out of plastic wastes. In the Philippines, Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has made a pilot project that offers low
cost 3D printed prosthetic to Filipino’s.

3.5 Gun Manufacture

Because of the inherent characteristics of the technology, the issue of 3D printing a

gun has been the subject of legislative debates in the United States. With shooting
incidences the US has been experiencing not to mention terrorism threats, the US is
keen on controlling the use of the technology in gun manufacture. Nevertheless, the
mainstreaming of the technology especially in the area of metal 3D printers will
arouse curiosity among consumers as to the capabilities of the technology in
producing outputs as precise as a gun.

4. Technology adoption in the Philippines

4.1 Facilitating factors

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The inherent advantages of the Additive Manufacturing technology such as rapidity

in producing outputs, less or no waste material in the process of producing outputs,
wide array of materials to be used for specific purpose and the different processes the
technology in general offers makes a strong point for its adoption. This was actually
realized by innovators in the different fields that they have made transitions from the
old norms in doing their business to gradually incorporating the technology to their
business platforms. The need to compete in the global community in terms of human
resource is also a facilitating factor. And the need of the country to develop emerging
technologies and not merely use such technologies. This is one of the keys in
attaining sustainable development.

The technology of 3D printing has gone a long way, from prototyping application to
actual manufacture in different fields. Here in the Philippines, 3D printing
technology is not mainstreamed yet, most of its application in our country is in the
prototyping field. However, with examples of application in our country, such as in
the medical field and construction, people are widening their consciousness about the
potential and application of the technology. In 2015, a hotel villa in the Philippines
was constructed through 3D printing. Again in 2016, the technology has sought
application in the spine surgery of a patient in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical
Center here in the Philippines. During this year also was the establishment in our
country of the 3D printed prosthesis pilot project of the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With these examples of the technology in our country, necessity will bring about
mainstreaming of 3D printing technology. For example, the technology could be very
much applied to construction of houses in disaster- affected areas wherein
construction of houses is needed at an urgent pace that normal construction practices
and processes is unable to deliver. With 3D printing technology, a house can be
constructed in a matter of days or even hours. If implemented in such situations,
there will be no need of constructing temporary shelters for the affected but a
permanent structure in replacement of their damaged or collapsed houses. This
scheme will save the government the trouble in funding as well as responding to the
basic needs of the affected. The capital cost as well as the running cost of the
equipment will justify the urgent need of alleviating the conditions of the disaster-
affected not to mention the enormous fund that will be allocated in relief,
rehabilitation and recovery efforts if not addressed timely.

4.2 Barriers and constraints of adoption

Barriers and constraints to adoption are the lack of understanding of the technology.
Arguably, despite of the advantages the technology offers, inevitably because of the
newness of the technology, supporting knowledge in the application of the
technology needs to keep pace with the emerging demands of the technology in
different fields. For example in the construction industry, there had been many
examples of the technology to show its application to the construction sector. In the
United States, Europe, Middle East and China, several companies demonstrated the

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capabilities of the technology in constructing a house or an office space. These

examples were built for the single purpose of mainstreaming the technology and
creating an atmosphere of innovation and development in the technology per se in
regard to construction for example. These are the supporting technologies or know
how for the application and acceptance of the technology with respect to a specific
field. Though the technology demonstrated its capability to construct a house wall at
a pace which is a fraction compared to traditional methods, the lack of computational
methods that will be the basis for design is one drawback for the acceptance of the
building and construction community, academics and practitioners alike. Another
hindrance to the full adoption of the technology at the moment is the high cost of the
3D printer system. However for applications not entailing structural requirements just
like in construction applications, the capital and running cost could be justified. In
the Philippines, industries and companies have harnessed the advantages of the
technology for the growth of their company. Architectural firms have used the
technology to create three dimensional models of structures for better analysis of
projects. The Medical field also have utilized the technology for solutions of patient’s
cases.

However, the need for supporting knowledge and technologies for full application of
the 3D printing technology needs to be generated in consonance to the demand for
the technology’s application. And the Philippines is in the right track at the moment
by investing in the technology’s understanding by procuring a facility for its research
and development. With the richness of natural resources the country has, innovation
in regard to sustainable material is anticipated. Also, with the country’s embarking
on the Industry 4.0 model, research and development with regard to lowering the cost
of the system will spur among innovators.

5. Impacts of the technology

5.1 Economy

Despite the technology’s promising advantages that drives its application to different
fields. The newness of the technology poses challenges that hinder its mainstreaming.
Still, now, the materials needed for the application of the technology is much more
expensive than traditional methods. For example, the titanium powder needed for 3D
printing costs 125 dollars to 250 dollars per kilogram whereas a same material in bar
form costs only about 57 dollars per kilogram. Other visionaries predict that though
additive manufacturing technology is promising for application, analysis from
Wohlers Associates suggests that no more than 5% of manufacturing will be additive
in the future, that not anything that can be 3D printed will be 3D printed.

In the examples of the technology in construction applications, highlighted were the

lower cost of construction as compared to traditional methods. The absence of waste
material in the course of the production process merits the lowering of cost.

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On the other side for example, Stefanie Brickwede of Deutsche Bahn said “we have
600 million euros worth of parts in stock, just for rolling stock. If we can reduce this
by printing on demand, this will be pure cash. This will affect contract logistics
dramatically”.

Moreover, according to a study by Delft University of Technology, it was projected

that additive manufacturing could cut the global energy use by as much as 27% by
2050. [10]

True enough, the technology has developed exponentially as evidenced by current

trends to this date. This technology will continue to do so in the next 5 to 10 years,
revolutionizing how things are made. It will be the consumer demand for
customization that will be the driving force of the technology to impact the global
economy.

5.2 Industry and Manufacturing (including labor)

Already, the capabilities of the additive manufacturing technology has disrupted the
day to day conduct of companies and industries. To the extent that these companies
and industries ride the boat of the AM technology in the hope that they will not be
obsolete. Nevertheless, the hype the AM technology brings is not without value, that
is why companies invest in the research and development of their product in
consonance with using AM technology. The mainstreaming of the technology brings
back pool of people in the company who will bring about change in the way things
are in their company in relation to the technology.

As a consequence of embracing the technology, reorganization and re- structuring of

industry and manufacturing set ups is needed. The need for people with technical
know – how and innovating capacities are highly valuable for recruitment to
companies. Inventory and re – valuing of assets is needed because of the
corresponding value the company attributes to the technology.

5.3 Society

The impact of the AM technology in the society is multi- faceted, this is because of
the complexity of the society itself. Just as there are in favor and against a new policy
for example, the case of the advent of the AM technology will not be different.
However, if the society understands the concept of the technology and be conscious
about the issues that negate its potential benefits, the use of the technology in general
will be much more appreciated. This technology will bring about freedom in terms of
consumerism and efficiency in terms of specific application. Example, one may
choose the use of the technology in the construction of a house to avoid the rigors of
dealing with human labor that are demanding and less efficient. Or, the freedom of
the consumer to spend a dollar in an item that is presented to him or customized for
him.

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Other issues surrounding the use of the technology is its use in the manufacture of ill-
intended tools such as guns and weapons. [11] The question as to how these practices
can be regulated, monitored and sanctioned arises. Needless to say, this is an issue
that needs proper deliberation. After all, it is not the gun that harms or kill, it is rather
the one that pulls the trigger. In the future, standards in the manufacture of printed
outputs should be in place for the security of potential customers. Official
government entities must be in place as early as now to safeguard the interest of the
consumer public.

6. Policy Recommendations

6.1 Labor and Employment

In the Philippines, the advent of the AM technology is in its infancy stage. However,
because of inter connectivity technology such as the internet, the gap between the
first world countries and ours is getting smaller. Hence, it will be inevitable for us to
be compelled to go along with the trend of the AM technology if we wish to be able
to matter in the global community for the country’s survival. This is because gone are
the days where a country with its own uncanny ideals could survive the challenges of
the modern world.

For the country to be prepared in the next phase of industry which I presume to be
Industry 5.0, which I think is the integration of technologies such as AM technology
wherein one has the freedom to use the technology particularly for his own
preference, curriculum inclusion of the technology in the academia is needed to
prepare the future workforce in the technicalities of the technology. I think the
scenario of work place in the future is somewhat the same as today, where we have
levels of workforce, there are engineers for example who plans, designs and
supervises the conduct of work and there are workers or technicians who physically
does the work, the only difference is the technology the workforce is dealing with.
Moreover, the only difference is that, it will be the technician and not the engineers
that will supervise the work. Engineers will soon be more inclined with research and
development.

Re – valuing of the workforce is an inevitable consequence of the AM technology

adoption.

6.2 Human Resource Development/ Education

The advent of existing technologies has spurred the consciousness of academics,

business entities and policy makers. The spark of this revolutionary technologies
must prompt a corresponding pace as the pace of technology emergence. This is to
address the need of the global community of workforce with know- how in existing
trends. Different sectors especially the educational sector must sense the urgency of
the need for competent workforce to work with current and future technologies. This
will address in general the economic concerns of the country come the boom or

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mainstreaming of anticipated technologies. The education sector should arouse

consciousness among students the need to be up to date of emerging technologies for
the country to achieve development through sustainable development. We should not
just be consumers of technology as this will not gear us toward the achievement of
the developmental goals of the country, we should be innovators.

Since human resource development will be more inclined with technicalities of

technologies and the quest in innovations, funding in this area should be justified by
corresponding outputs.

6.3 Government Policy/ Laws

It is undeniable that we have gone astray in the aspirations of the country more than a
couple of decades ago. In those times, the Philippines has a developed stature in
comparison with its neighboring countries. In general, a revamp in government
policies and laws needs to be undertaken. Policies and laws in our country has an
illusion of promoting good for the country especially the under privileged, however,
careful analysis of these policies and laws reveal loop holes and defects. In relation to
the AM technology, policies and laws regarding patenting issues must be revamped
in a sense that inventors and innovators will be encouraged and motivated to develop
ideas up to actual materialization of those ideas. The government should realize to
capitalized on the human resource of the country in terms of the Filipino’s brilliance
in innovation as evidenced by past inventions which we are still using. Moreover, the
inherent characteristics of the AM technology needs a corresponding agency that will
regulate, monitor and sanction the practice of the technology. A standard should as
well be put in place to safeguard the interest of the public.

6.4 Research and Development/ Innovation

To address the flow of research and development in the future, additional agencies
could be created for specific disciplines. The different arms of the government in
connection to research and development needs to foster the atmosphere of innovation
especially among the students. This should be reinforced with governmental policies
and laws that will really encourage them to go into research and development. In as
much as there is value in research and development, the one who made the efforts
should as well fell and experience the value of his work. With policies and laws in
place that will reward development and innovation outputs, the country as a result
will economically step up. With improve socio- economic conditions, the over- all
condition of the country will be alleviated, addressing previous pressing issues the
country faces.

7. Conclusion

With the advent of technologies, the country’s resources have been redefined. Now, a
country’s resource is equated with how much the country is into technology or how

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advanced a country is in terms of technology. Furthermore, a nation’s wealth is measured

by how much technology is exported to other countries. Japan, for example is a little
country in terms of size but they are giants in regard to technology. Their technology
even reaches first world countries to be utilized. Hence from here, the country must
direct its attention to research and development. One may argue our incapacity to do so
because we simply lack the infrastructure to do so. But then again, there are always ways
to the determined. With existing challenges the AM technology has, we need to find
solutions which are in harmony with the development plan of the country if we are to
adopt this technology.

Now, with a more ideal track of governance of the country where branches of the
government can perform their intended function such as the DOST, gearing towards
sustainable development is achievable through research and development.

Sophistication of technology should be measured in terms not of complexity but

simplicity and sustainability.

8. References:

[1] Additive Manufacturing (AM). (2012, July 13). What is Additive Manufacturing?. Retrieved
from http://additivemanufacturing.com/basics/

[2] Additive Manufacturing Research Group, Loughborough University. (2014, August 20). Vat
Photopolymerisation. Retrieved from
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/amrg/about/the7categoriesofadditivemanufacturing/vatphotop
olymerisation/

[3] Wohlers, T. (2011, October 2). Early Research and Development [PDF File]. Retrieved from
http://www.wohlersassociates.com/history.pdf

[4] Bensoussan, H. (2016, December 14). The History of 3D Printing: 3D Printing Technologies
from the 80s to Today. Retrieved from https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2016/12/14/the-history-
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[5] Wohlers, T. (2012, November 15). History of Additive Manufacturing. Retrieved from
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[8] LaSelle, R. (2019, March 29). Five Critical Shifts Guiding the Future of 3D Printing.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author is a faculty of Isabela State University City of Ilagan Campus. He is currently
studying Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at De La Salle University Manila as a CHED scholar. He
may be contacted through email at [email protected] or [email protected]. His
research interest include DRRM and Structural Engineering.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wish to thank Dr Alvin B. Culaba, Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, and Dr. Jose Edgar
S. Mutuc for sharing their academic expertise that encouraged the author academically.

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