Sarawak's additive manufacturing community reached a new milestone with the announcement of the state's first-ever AM Open Day. The event was held on 26 June 2025 at the SDEC IR 4.0 Prototyping Lab in Kuching, welcoming 50 participants to experience additive manufacturing technology first-hand — at no cost.
What the Open Day Offered
The AM Open Day was designed to lower the barriers to engagement with additive manufacturing technology. For many participants, it would be their first direct encounter with industrial-grade 3D printing systems operating in a real production-like environment. The programme included:
- Live technology demonstrations — seeing machines in operation, from polymer printing to more advanced processes
- Expert talks — insights from practitioners on applications, opportunities, and the direction of additive manufacturing in Sarawak and beyond
- Facility tour — a walkthrough of the SDEC IR 4.0 Prototyping Lab, helping participants understand what a functional AM facility looks like
Why Open Days Matter
Awareness events like this serve a purpose that training programmes and business presentations cannot fully replicate: they bring curious people — from any background — into direct contact with technology in a low-pressure environment. Students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members all stood to benefit from the exposure.
For Sarawak's digital economy ambitions, building a broad base of AM-aware individuals is just as important as training specialists. The more people who understand what additive manufacturing can do, the more likely it is that the technology finds its way into solutions for local challenges.
The first-ever nature of this event marks a turning point — Sarawak has its own AM community gathering, and a platform to build on.