DOST-MIRDC Technologies Featured at the 2022 NSTW Celebration Technical Forums and Exhibits
by Kai H. Negado
Pasay City, Metro Manila - This year’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration exhibits featured technologies consistent with the theme ‘Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan.’
The Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCEN) and the Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (AMERIAL) are facilities of the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center featured under Cluster 4: Job Generation, Livable and Sustainable Communities, and Digital Transformation, along with exhibits from the DOST Regional Offices and DOST Research and Development Institutes.
AMCen and AMERIAL were chosen as part of the technology showcase area under the category of digital transformation. These facilities offer Industry 4.0 technologies to increase innovation and boost levels of productivity, contributing to our local manufacturing industries’ digital transformation by using intelligent machines and automating manufacturing and supply chain processes.
For our local businesses to become competitive here in the country and possibly with counterparts abroad, the DOST, through the DOST-MIRDC, aims to make AMCen and AMERIAL technologies available to all businesses in the metro and in the countryside. The said facilities are meant to address the challenges faced by our partners in the industry, especially our MSMEs.
Both AMCEN and AMERIAL are facilities or centers which offer services that aim to increase the country’s technical readiness, business sophistication, and innovation to drive local industries to higher levels of productivity and competitiveness through emerging technologies namely:
- Additive manufacturing or 3D printing
- Mechatronics
- Robotics
- Industrial automation
Two of the 3D printing technologies available in the AMCEN and the AMERIAL’s 6-axis Collaborative Robot were displayed during the week-long exhibits, sparking interest and possible collaboration not just from industry players present during the exhibit, but also visitors from the academe - administrators, teachers, and students alike.
President Marcos, Jr. at the AMCen exhibit during the 2022 NSTW
AMERIAL’s robotic arm at work during the 2022 NSTW Exhibits
2022 NSTW Celebration Technical Forums
Day four and five of the 2022 NSTW celebration featured technical forums from the DOST-MIRDC, all of which were centered around technologies and facilities that are readily available to be utilized by clients who require services offered by the DOST-MIRDC. Featured in the forums are the AMCEN, Building a Universal Mount for Heavy Barrel Automated Weapon Integration (BUHAWI) Project, and the AMERIAL, Mold Technology Solution Center (MTSC), and the Metals and Engineering Innovation Centers (MEICs).
Engr. Padaca III of DOST-MIRDC’s AMCen during the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum.
Attendees during the AMCen presentation at the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum
Experts from the DOST-MIRDC presented their respective projects to the forum attendees. For AMCEN, Engr. Jose Bernardo L. Padaca III discussed how the Center may provide product development support to different sectors by introducing additive manufacturing technologies to boost the country’s innovation landscape. Engr. Padaca says additive manufacturing or 3D printing ‘can have a very big impact or be a very big help in supporting these industries.’ With AMCen, he explained that ‘the goal is to support local industries… these priority industries for domestic and export markets’.
DOST-MIRDC Deputy Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Puerto discussing Project BUHAWI to the crowd during the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum.
Next to present was DOST-MIRDC’s Deputy Executive Director and project leader Engr. Jonathan Q. Puerto, who showcased the BUHAWI technology by discussing Filipino capabilities to locally develop and produce technologies that are in support of the Department of National Defense’s (DND) Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Program. The successful testing and technology transfer of the BUHAWI were among the highlights of the presentation. Attendees expressed interest by asking additional questions to Engr. Puerto on the capabilities of our locally produced technologies and the capacities of our own Filipino engineers.
Engr. Libao of DOST-MIRDC presenting AMERIAL technologies and its applications during the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum
For the afternoon forum, Engr. Franz Joseph D. Libao discussed the DOST-MIRDC’s AMERIAL, a state-of-the-art facility that offers services to our local industries to increase their levels of productivity using the latest technologies for mechatronics, robotics, and automation. Engr. Libao discussed the importance of these technologies and the Industry 4.0 readiness of the country’s local enterprises.
Engr. Libao of DOST-MIRDC answering the attendees’ questions regarding the AMERIAL during the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum.
During the forum, the main question raised by Engr. Libao was ‘Are the Philippine MSMEs ready for Industry 4.0?’ Based on the AMERIAL team’s research, he explained that ‘Medyo malayo pa. Marami tayong kailangan gawin at pagdaaanan para magamit talaga natin, para ma-take advantage natin ang mga benefits ng Industry 4.0.’ To end his presentation, he offered the Laboratory’s services to help address the readiness of our local enterprises and to kick-start their use of Industry 4.0 technologies.
The last day of the 2022 NSTW celebration saw technical forums from the DOST-MIRDC’s MTSC and the MEICs. Engr. Francisco C. Dime and Mr. Osric Primo Bern A. Quibot were the ones to present the MTSC and MEICs, respectively.
Engr. Dime of DOST-MIRDC discusses how the MTSC can help local manufacturers during the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum.
First to present was Engr. Dime, highlighting the MTSC’s capabilities in addressing the needed services for mold-related projects. He also explained the various equipment and software currently available for use at the MTSC, and the Center’s accomplishments even with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Quibot of DOST-MIRDC presents the MEICs and how these will help local MSMEs during the 2022 NSTW Technical Forum.
The last technical forum conducted during the 2022 NSTW celebration was presented by Mr. Quibot of the DOST-MIRDC. Mr. Quibot discussed that the MEICs were established as a way to achieve the Center’s vision of a more competitive metals, engineering, and allied industries for the whole country. Mr. Quibot further explained that the MEICs, in partnership with both academic institutions and the industry, were established to add new technical capabilities and sustain the growth of innovation in the different regions of the country.
DOST-MIRDC saw the 2022 NSTW celebration’s exhibits and technical forums as an opportunity to showcase its technologies and services to its various stakeholders, especially the general public. As the event’s official song says, ‘Science is for you and me. Atin ‘to!’ – a testament to how the DOST, through its various line agencies, is committed to realizing its goal of bringing science, technology, and innovation much closer to the people.
