3D printing has passed the phase of experimental new technology. More and more companies in the rubber and plastics industry are applying this industrial production technique to quickly and accurately create complex objects. The Federatie Nederlandse Rubber- en Kunststofindustrie (NRK) is identifying the needs of these companies and then wants to join forces in a newly established NRK 3D-printing interest group. On 15 May, a first meeting for this purpose will be organised at P3D in The Hague.
Exact figures on the number of plastic 3D printers in the Netherlands are lacking, but their use is taking off. More than 100 companies are applying this technology in industrial and business environments. These include around 30 manufacturers of filaments (thermoplastics) and multi-jet printing (thermosets). Over 40 entrepreneurs focus on commercial end products and moulds, and 60 companies produce models and prototypes, both for in-house and external use. The total is a mix of new companies focusing entirely on 3D printing and existing companies applying 3D as additional techniques, whether in a separate business unit or not.
Representing three interests
The NRK also wants to offer this young market segment a platform and is currently gauging interest among companies to join a newly established group, NRK 3D printing. In doing so, the NRK is explicitly focusing on three interests. First, it wants to offer added value at company level. Among other things, by providing NRK tools to meet legal requirements (health and safety, environment, energy), as an innovation helpdesk for concrete business questions and by facilitating mutual contact between the companies.
Shaping the lobby towards government, customers and knowledge institutes is the second interest. Currently, 3D printing still often has to fight for its own place in policy and funding. Finally, the NRK sees an emphatic role in market development and presenting the Dutch industry.
No focus on technical knowledge development
The focus of NRK 3D printing is emphatically not on technical knowledge development. Erik de Ruijter explains: "There are many initiatives around 3D printing. In the Eindhoven region, Mikrocentrum is active in that field with the RapidPro network. The Professorship of Plastics Technology at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences has also specialised in knowledge about 3D printing. In addition, Polymer Science Park (PSP) has been providing technical support towards individual companies since 2015 and regularly organises 3D printing workshops. These are just some of the initiatives already in place. But the knowledge needs to be shared. So in terms of knowledge sharing, we seek cooperation with these parties."
NRK meeting 3D printing
The NRK is organising an initial meeting on 3D printing on Wednesday 15 May to gauge interest in a new interest group to be set up. All companies active in the field of plastic 3D printing are cordially invited. The meeting will take place at P3D in The Hague. The programme includes interesting presentations by Onno Ponfoort (Berenschot), Geert Heideman (Windesheim), Mireille Kinket (PSP) and Jeroen Gross (P3D). In addition, attendees will work on formulating their wishes regarding NRK 3D printing based on propositions. The meeting is free to attend, but registration is required. The full programme can be downloaded here.
