Penang Chief Minister’s Official Visit to the PSDC-IME Rapid Model Development Lab 24 January 2014 | 10.30 am – 11.45 am | PSDC
For Penang to have a digital technological cluster that works, it must be profitable in the market place. First, we need to have a sizeable startup colony (“ecosystem”) and also hundreds of startup schools (“accelerators”) to drive and propel the ecosystem forward. In between there is a need for entrepreneurial talent with digital knowhow or technopreneurs to make digital technology work in the marketplace by being profitable. The Penang state government can provide some seed money and a platform but the basis of success will still depend on the private sector, individual entrepreneurs and digital experts. This effort to build clusters will be driven by the Penang Science Council and investPenang and even PSDC.
The buzz of 3D printing has attracted the interest of many including myself. Perhaps the possibility of having a 3D printing lab in Penang seems remote but when I was informed of PSDC-IME Rapid Model Development Lab having such facility, I have requested for a visit to see for myself how this lab will contribute to Penang’s industrial growth. Opened since November last year, this lab is definitely the first of its kind in Malaysia.
Jointly set up through a smart collaboration between PSDC and IME Group, the lab provides more than 3D printing. It offers a one-stop solution in product design and development thus allowing at least 10 companies from MNCs, large local companies, and schools to use this facility.
I am pleased that the lab offers a comprehensive suite of services which include the following:
Concept modeling, industrial design, mechanical engineering, ergonomics analysis, design validation and simulation, rapid prototyping, 3D scanning, quality inspection, and production support such as tool design and direct digital manufacturing.
Product design and development training courses and certification programs
The RM1.5 million state of the art and revolutionary technologies equipment is definitely a plus to serve the rapidly growing needs of various industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Architecture, Business Machines, Consumer Products, Electronics, Entertainment, Industrial Equipment, Interior Design, Medical Devices, Oil & Gas, Toy Manufacturing, and many more.
Gartner is also expecting enterprises to spend more on 3D printer over the next few years, with enterprises spending more than USD325 Million in 2013 vs USD87 million in the consumer segment; and USD563 million in 2014 vs consumer spending of USD133 million.
For Penang to have a digital technological cluster that works, it must be profitable in the market place. First, we need to have a sizeable startup colony (“ecosystem”) and also hundreds of startup schools (“accelerators”) to drive and propel the ecosystem forward. In between there is a need for entrepreneurial talent with digital knowhow or technopreneurs to make digital technology work in the marketplace by being profitable. The Penang state government can provide some seed money and a platform but the basis of success will still depend on the private sector, individual entrepreneurs and digital experts. This effort to build clusters will be driven by the Penang Science Council and investPenang and even PSDC.
Clearly the demand for industrial 3D printing has increased significantly and I am sure the services offered by PSDC/IME will allow companies within this region use the shared services offered. This will then enable them to save on the total cost of ownership in purchasing new machines to do any 3D printing activities as well as other design and development work.
I believe this lab provides a great opportunity to leverage from the shared services as well as one stop solution centre for many MNCs and SMEs around this region. I will like to take this opportunity to further thank PSDC for taking this opportunity to offer such services to the industry in this region.
槟州首席部长林冠英于2014年1月24日官访槟州技术发展中心（PSDC）–IME Rapid Model Development Lab
演讲稿重点翻译：
要让槟城有一个真正能够运作的数码技术集群（digital technological cluster），那它就必需是能够在市场上发挥经济效益（赚钱）的。首先，我们需要有一个相当大的启动群体（或称为“生态系统”），以及数百间启动的学校（“加速器”) ，以驱使及推动整个生态系统，让它得以往前发展。这当中， 我们需要那些精通数码的企业家或科技创业者，将数码技术“有利可图化”，进而能够让数码技术在市场上立足。槟州政府可以提供一些种子基金及平台，不过，成功的基础却依然需要依靠私人界、企业家本身及数码专家。建立集群的努力，将会由槟州科学理事会、投资槟城及槟州技术发展中心所主导。
3D立体打印，挑起了不少人的兴趣，包括我本身。也许在槟城有一个3D 立体打印实验室似乎很遥远，但是当我被通知说槟州技术发展中心-IME Rapid Model Development Lab有类似的设施时，我要求亲自到访，以了解这个实验室，如何为槟州的工业发展作出贡献。去年11 月开设的3D 打印实验室是全马首间具有类似设备的实验室。
这项由槟州技术发展中心及IME集团联手打造的3D 打印实验室，并不只是3D打印技术而已。它也提供一站式产品设计及开发方案，因此能够让至少10家跨国公司、大型的本地公司及学校使用这个设施。
我很高兴看到这实验室提供这么全面的服务，包括：概念造型、工业设计、机械工程、人机工程学分析、设计验证与仿真、快速成形技术、3D 扫描、质量检验及生产线的支持如工具设计及直接数码化制造等。产品设计与开发的培训课程以及文凭课程。
这耗资１５０万令吉打造的革命性技术设备，无疑为我们目前正快速成长的各工业需求加分，诸如宇航业、汽车业、建筑业、商业机器、消费类产品、电子、娱乐、 工业设备、室内设计、医疗器械、石油及天然气、玩具生产及其他等等。
高德纳咨询公司（Gartner）预料企业将在未来数年内，花费更多在３D打印上。２０１３年，企业花在３D打印上花费了超过３亿２５００万美元（对比消费人市场的８７００万美元），以及２０１４，企业料将花５亿６３００万美元在３D打印，消费人市场则预料只有1亿33００万令吉。
要让槟城有一个真正能够运作的数码技术集群（digital technological cluster），那它就必需是能够在市场上发挥经济效益（赚钱）的。首先，我们需要有一个相当大的启动群体（或称为“生态系统”），以及数百间启动的学校（“加速器”) ，以驱使及推动整个生态系统，让它得以往前发展。这当中， 我们需要那些精通数码的企业家，或科技创业者，将数码技术“有利可图化”，进而能够让数码技术在市场上立足。槟州政府可以提供一些种子基金及平台，不过，成功的基础却依然需要依靠私人界、企业家本身及数码专家。建立集群的努力，将会由槟州科学理事会、投资槟城及槟州技术发展中心所主导。
工业的３D打印需求已有显著地增加，我相信槟州技术发展中心及IME 提供的服务，将让本区域的公司使用这项服务。这也能够让企业节省投资在新３D打印或其他设计及开发工作之机械成本。