Mr Chan Ban Kiong, 64, is being trained by his employer Mencast Marine to operate 3D printers to make prototypes for ship propellers, something he used to do by hand.

 

For over 45 years, foundry specialist Chan Ban Kiong made prototype moulds for ship propellers by hand. But his job is now undergoing a sea change.

 

The manual method is to use sand to make a mould, which is used to create an aluminium prototype. The prototype is then used to create a second mould, from which the bronze propeller is cast. Earlier this year, the 64-year-old was told that his employer Mencast Marine was going to start using 3D printers to make the prototypes, to improve productivity, and that he and eight others, all older than 60, were going to be trained to operate the 3D printers.

 

“Initially, I lacked confidence on whether I can learn it well. […]

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