Key technology of national interest

Text: Matthew Wood, 3 September 2024

Additive Manufacturing is playing a key role in the ongoing development of Australia’s industry – which is why it receives corresponding support

Australia's manufacturing industry has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades. Once dominated by traditional industries such as automotive and white goods, the sector has seen a shift towards advanced manufacturing technologies, including Additive Manufacturing (AM). This shift is driven by the need for innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness. Additive Manufacturing, with its potential for customization, reduced waste, and localised production, has emerged as a critical component of Australia’s manufacturing landscape.

The Australian manufacturing industry has historically played a pivotal role in the nation’s economy. As of the latest reports, the manufacturing sector contributes approximately A$100 billion to the Australian economy and employs over 900,000 people. The industry is diverse, encompassing sectors such as machinery and equipment, metal products, chemicals, medical devices, and food and beverage.

However, the sector has faced numerous challenges, including competition from low-cost manufacturing countries, a relatively small domestic market, and high labour costs. These challenges have necessitated a focus on advanced manufacturing technologies and innovation to maintain and enhance the sector’s competitiveness.

Research drives development

The adoption of Additive Manufacturing in Australia can be traced back to the early 2000s, with universities and research institutions leading the way. Organisations such as CSIRO have been instrumental in advancing AM technologies through research and development. One of the early success stories in Australian Additive Manufacturing is the establishment of Lab 22 by CSIRO. Lab 22 serves as a hub for innovation, providing access to state-of-the-art AM facilities and expertise. This initiative has helped numerous Australian companies explore and adopt 3D printing technologies, leading to breakthroughs in various industries, including aerospace, medical devices, and automotive.

Australia’s robust research and development (R&D) framework has been a critical driver of innovation in Additive Manufacturing. Along with CSIRO, numerous universities including RMIT, the University of Sydney, and Monash University have established dedicated AM research centers. These institutions collaborate with industry partners to advance AM technologies and develop new applications. For instance, RMIT University’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct houses cutting-edge 3D printing facilities and has been pivotal in developing new materials and techniques for AM. The University of Sydney’s Sydney Manufacturing Hub, launched in 2021, features state-of-the-art equipment for metal and polymer AM and fosters collaboration between academia and industry.

Key AM companies continue to grow

The key players in the industry, including SPEE3D, Titomic, AML3D, Conflux, and Additive Assurance, marked significant milestones and experienced growth in 2023. 

SPEE3D made notable advancements in the defence sector, achieving multi-unit sales to five global Defence Forces. They demonstrated the robust capabilities of their machines in extreme conditions, successfully printing metal parts at -20 degrees during the US DoD Point of Need Challenge. Additionally, the shipment of the first XSPEE3D to the UK MTC, which is now showcasing the technology across Europe, was a pivotal moment.

Conflux Technology also achieved several milestones, including launching two new heat exchanger products, securing AS9100D certification, and announcing a serial production customer for a gas-liquid heat exchanger. Conflux received funding from the Australian Space Agency's Moon to Mars Initiative to develop a heat exchanger for rocket engines and from the Australian Research Council to advance nanomaterial coatings and advanced plasma coating technology.

AML3D continued its focused growth strategy, supplying its proprietary Arcemy metal 3D printing technology as a point-of-need manufacturing solution. They concentrated on industrial manufacturers in the US defence, marine, and aerospace industries while scaling up their presence in the USA. This focus led to key milestones, including contracts with the US Navy and Department of Defense, Curtin University, Chevron Australia, and BAE Systems Australia. AML3D also signed a significant reseller agreement with Phillips Corporation, a leading US Federal Government sales partner, to grow its US-based business.