The SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) is looking to the cutting edge field of 3D printing in its efforts to keep abreast of new technology.

The company, which specialises in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, inked a memorandum of understanding with additive manufacturing solutions company Stratasys yesterday, to collaborate on the use of 3D-printed production parts for commercial aviation.

Under this partnership, the two companies will explore a joint venture to be majority-owned by SIAEC.

It involves setting up a Singapore-based centre which will offer support in design, engineering, certification and part production to SIAEC's partners and customers.

The collaboration will combine Stratasys' expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing - including in the aerospace field - with SIAEC's existing maintenance, repair and overhaul service offerings.

SIAEC's chief executive Mr Png Kim Chiang said: "Our collaboration will strengthen SIAEC's comprehensive suite of maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions and enhance our support to customers, especially in the region."

Mr Ilan Levin, chief executive of Stratasys, highlighted the potential of additive manufacturing in improving specific services in the aviation industry.

"This strategic partnership marks an important milestone for additive manufacturing in the aviation industry... we are committed to advancing the use of additive manufacturing for high requirement aerospace applications," he said.

"By working closely with SIAEC, we are extending that focus to solve the unique challenges of the maintenance, repair and overhaul segment and further drive adoption."