Taiwan to start 3D printing development program in May

Want China Times, CNA 2014-04-10

3D printers and finished products at a forum in Taipei, March 3.
(Photo/Kuo Chi-chuan)

A 3D printing development program is scheduled to kick off in May to tap the fast-growing 3D printing industry, according to a report from Taiwan's Ministry of Science and Technology released Wednesday.

Under the three-year program initiated by the ministry, NT$70 million (US$2.33 million) will be spent each year to help the local development of 3D printing technology.

According to Wohlers Associates, a technology consulting firm, the size of the global 3D printing market is expected to grow to US$10.8 billion by 2021 from US$2.3 billion recorded in 2013, representing a compound annual growth rate of 22%.

The ministry said 3D additive manufacturing technology developers are currently facing problems such as the poor production efficiency and the unsatisfactory quality of finished 3D printed products, which will have to be addressed before their products can go on the market.

For the first year of the program, the ministry will push for efforts to cultivate talent in both the academic and industrial arenas, in a bid to bridge the gap between the local development and international progress in the 3D printing business.

The ministry said the program will focus on research and development to facilitate the local 3D printing industry, and will assign part of its budget to develop such devices as metal molding devices and other technology for dentistry.

The three-year program is also aimed at encouraging the academic and industrial sectors to set up a strategic alliance to work together in the 3D printing development, the ministry said.

The ministry said that as Taiwan has taken the lead over many of its competitors in the world in the information and communications technology business, the program is expected to lead the local high-tech sector to combine cloud technology with 3D printing development in a bid to further strengthen innovation of the local 3D printing industry.