Predictive assurance for metal additive manufacturing: Singapore R&D partner sought

Project opportunity

THINKITTECH LTD is seeking a Singapore-registered business eligible to apply through Enterprise Singapore to co-develop and industrially validate the next generation of AMSynchro: an AI- and IoT-enabled assurance platform for metal additive manufacturing.

The proposed 24–36-month industrial R&D project would sit primarily within Advanced Manufacturing, enabled by artificial intelligence, industrial sensing, cybersecurity and secure connectivity. The scope will be co-designed so that the UK and Singapore partners make substantial, complementary technical and commercial contributions.

The challenge

Metal additive manufacturing relies on high-value powders whose condition and suitability can be affected by storage, transport, handling, environmental exposure, reuse and blending. Relevant evidence is often fragmented across certificates, spreadsheets, laboratory systems, machine records, sensors and operator decisions.

Existing systems do not consistently connect material identity, genealogy, chain of custody, physical condition and risk evidence across the full lifecycle. This creates uncertainty and audit burden and can contribute to conservative material disposal, avoidable rework and delayed investigations.

Proposed R&D collaboration

The project would extend AMSynchro from its pilot-ready baseline into an industrially validated predictive-assurance capability. Potential workstreams include:

• industrial-grade sensing and embedded hardware for containers, stores or process environments;

• secure capture of condition, handling, custody and location data;

• integration with MES, ERP, PLM, LIMS, machine and laboratory systems;

• explainable AI/ML models using condition, exposure and process history to identify emerging risks;

• early warnings and decision support for acceptance, quarantine, safe handling, reuse, blending and production release; and

• validation in UK and Singapore manufacturing workflows, including measurement of quality, productivity, waste and compliance benefits.

Current foundation

AMSynchro already provides material genealogy, chain-of-custody and provenance records, monitored-container telemetry, warning logic, dashboards and audit-ready evidence. ESA- and UKSA-supported activities have established a deployed software platform, proof-of-concept monitoring devices and representative telemetry. A UK patent application has been filed.

Partner sought

Our priority is a Singapore manufacturer, additive-manufacturing service provider, materials business or industrial-technology company able to provide a genuine use case and make a substantive R&D contribution.

Particularly valuable capabilities include access to an industrial validation environment and relevant datasets; expertise in metal AM, powder handling, aerospace or precision engineering; complementary sensing, embedded, AI, cybersecurity or connectivity technology; and access to Singapore and wider ASEAN customers.

A consortium combining an industrial end user with a complementary Singapore technology provider may also be suitable. The relationship must involve genuine co-development and joint commercialisation; a reseller-only arrangement would not fit this opportunity.

What THINKITTECH contributes

THINKITTECH will contribute the AMSynchro software and assurance architecture; material genealogy, provenance and chain-of-custody capability; industrial workflow and systems-integration expertise; IoT, cloud, AI/data and cybersecurity engineering; and an established UK pilot and stakeholder network.

Expected outcome

The intended result is a jointly developed and industrially validated product capability, supported by interoperable integrations, explainable risk models, audit-ready evidence and measurable operational benefits, with a joint route to market across the UK, Singapore and wider international markets.

Project roles, work packages, budget, IP and exploitation rights would be agreed jointly before submission.