A
new Australian Research Council Hub headquartered at Monash University and focussing
on metal-based additive manufacturing has been launched.
The
$9 million ARC Research Hub for
Transforming Australia’s Manufacturing Industry through High Value Additive
Manufacturing was officially opened on Wednesday. It is funded through $4 million over five years from the ARC Industrial
Transformation Research Program and through its industrial partners.
The
ARC’s CEO Professor Aidan Byrne said the focus would be on additive
manufacturing for metal alloy parts using selective laser sintering and
electron beam melting methods.
“This Research Hub will increase the awareness
and uptake of metal-based additive manufacturing in Australia,” he said in a statement.
“It aims to establish Australia as a global
leader in knowledge of additive manufacturing for metal components, with
application in industries such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical, space and
defence.”
The
hub will be headed by Monash’s Professor Xinhua Wu (pictured) who also leads the ARC Centre of
Excellence for Design in Light Metals.
Wu
said that the aim was to help secure markets in high-value sectors.
“Through this hub,
researchers will work to resolve issues surrounding process optimisation to
achieve all required mechanical properties in 3D printed metallic products that
can be used commercially for flying or in the body,” she said.
The
hub’s partners include Deakin University, the
University of Queensland, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation, Safran-Microturbo SAS, Metallica Minerals Limited, A.W.Bell,
Amaero Engineering Pty Ltd, International Seal Company (ISCA) Australia Pty
Ltd, and Kinetic Engineering Services Pty Ltd.
Image: http://3dprint.com/