CSIRO will open an innovation centre intended to accelerate
industry adoption of metal 3D printing and other additive manufacturing
technologies today.
The $6 million centre, called Lab 22, aims to provide
Australian companies with affordable access to specialist additive
manufacturing equipment and expertise.
By lowering their capital investment risk and allowing
companies to ‘try before they buy’, it is hoped the centre will help overcome
one of the major barriers facing smaller businesses in adopting 3D printing
with metal.
“This advanced equipment is in the range of $1 million per
unit, but the vast majority of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) don’t
have that amount of capital on-hand to take a leap of faith on a new or
emerging technology,” CSIRO additive manufacturing research leader, Alex
Kingsbury said.
“We’re providing Australian companies with a unique
opportunity to access some of the most advanced additive manufacturing
equipment with the help of our experienced technical experts, for a
comparatively minimal daily fee.”
Australian 3D printing service companies, Made for Me and
Keech3D, were the first companies to sign to use the centre’s new space with
the aim of growing their metal 3D printing services.
According to Kinksbury, the centre has already signed up
four industry partners and now wants more companies to become involved.
CSIRO has partnered with industry on a range of world-firsts
using its Arcam 3D printer, including a titanium heel bone implant to treat a
cancer patient, a mouthguard for treating sleep apnoea and a customisable
‘orthotic’ for horses suffering laminitis.
Experts at the centre can help companies tailor design
solutions, and have the ability to capture 3D data and simulate both the
manufacturing process and in-service part performance.
Lab 22’s additive manufacturing equipment includes: Arcam
A1, Concept Laser M2, Optomec LENS MR-7, Voxelject VX1000 and Cold Spray Plasma
Giken.