A new additive manufacturing (AM) research project between Australian shipbuilder Austal, Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) is aiming boost the effectiveness of 3D printing across Australia’s maritime and defence supply chain.
Austal’s Head of Research and Development, Sam Abbott, said the challenge for AM in these industries today has shifted from a question of whether or not it works, to where it delivers the greatest value. The $600,000 project will spend the next 18 months developing a practical, industry-ready framework capable of assessing the AM potential of thousands of components against operational, commercial, technical and regulatory requirements.
Abbott explained, "This framework will help us quantify the demand for additive manufacturing across maritime and defence programs, allowing industry to make better investment decisions, build more resilient supply chains and accelerate the uplift of Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities."
Austal will apply its experience as the prime contractor for the United States Navy's Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence with global insights and real-world manufacturing data, while Curtin University will lead the development and validation of the framework, using real-world vessel and supply chain data to ensure practical and commercially relevant outcomes.
Research Lead, Dr Karl Davidson, said, "By combining engineering, operational and commercial considerations into a single framework, we can help manufacturers make faster, more informed decisions about where additive manufacturing can deliver measurable benefits."
Simon Marriott, AMCRC’s Managing Director, added, "Many organisations understand the potential of additive manufacturing, but struggle to determine where it makes commercial and operational sense.
"This project will deliver a practical solution that helps industry identify high-value opportunities, prioritise investment and build confidence to scale adoption."
In a press release, the partners said the framework has the potential to impact other industries with a repeatable model that can help Australian businesses outside of the maritime and defence sectors to improve their productivity, resilience and competitiveness.
