by Lemuel Clark Velasco, CCS/FAB LAB Mindanao

WITH ADDITIVE manufacturing being more and more accessible to emerging economies like the Philippines, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) like MSU-IIT play an important role in mainstreaming these emerging technologies in partnership with practicing industries.

On January 31, 2020, FAB LAB Mindanao, in partnership with Puzzlebox 3D Printer Philippines, conducted an Industry Lecture on Metal 3D Printing at the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM). 

Attended by more than 200 faculty members, students and researchers from different HEIs in Mindanao, the industry lecture featured Mr. Justin Gabitan, the CEO of Puzzlebox 3D Printer Philippines, who discussed advanced topics in additive manufacturing with a focus on metal 3D printing. 

Gabitan’s comprehensive lecture on the additive manufacturing process gave a deeper understanding of how metal 3D printing can facilitate end-stage prototype development as well as ease in metal mass production. A demonstration of the additive manufacturing process was also conducted by Mr. Ernest John Escanilla, the former Training Manager of FAB LAB Mindanao who now works as a Product Engineer of Puzzlebox 3D Printer Philippines. 

With the help of dissemination from the Commission on Higher Education-Region 10 as well as passionate industry partners, MSU-IIT, through FAB LAB Mindanao and PRISM, has already conducted three industry lecture topics: design for manufacturing, agile project management and metal 3D printing. 

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension sees Industry Lectures as an important conduit for significant engagements between academic institutions and industry partners.