The government of Mauritius has announced the recent opening of a 3D printing centre. Equipped with several 3D filaments, printers and 3D scanners, it will act as a one-stop shop for 3D printing and 3D scanning, advice, counselling and initiation to 3D designs and modelling.
It is the second 3D printing centre to have been launched on the premises of SME Mauritius in Coromandel, and forms part of a joint initiative of the National Computer Board (NCB) and SME Mauritius, aiming to support a wide range of industries, professions and academia, including SMEs, start-ups, designers and university students in fields such as medical, engineering and architecture.
The Centre will offer several facilities, namely: 3D print support services for SMEs; guide start-ups to build their own open source products through the use of low cost 3D printing machines; reduce scale models for designers of various industries; create moulds and dyes through an accelerated process; logistics support to build prototypes – in particular for primary and secondary schools and university students – and provide training sessions for targeted users.
In his address at the launch event, Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Yogida Sawmynaden, recalled that the first 3D Printing Centre was set up on the NCB’s premises in February 2018. Since its operation, around 50 students have used the services of the 3D Centre to prepare their projects and proof concepts and some 600 objects and parts have been crafted by the 3D printers. He said that the scope of 3D printing technology is limitless and is bound to play a bigger part in the future.
By 2027, it is predicted that 10% of production will be done by 3D printers. Furthermore, the minister indicated that 3D technology has been used to create artificial reefs and bases for coral breeding at the initiative of the NCB, Sun Resorts and the University of Mauritius. To that effect, he emphasised the importance of a synergy among public and private sectors and academia which, he said, together can achieve significant results.
This article was originally published by the Republic of Mauritius.
REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS http://www.govmu.org
