AM Hub News

AML3D’s technology centre is open and in production. One ARCEMY industrial metal 3D printing system is on-site at Stow, OHIO. A second system will be installed later in the year. Plans to install additional ARCEMY systems at the Stow facility, which would increase its capacity, are progressing. AML3D has already delivered A$16m of US contracts ahead of an expected surge in US Defence spending on additive manufacturing. AML3D’s US manufacturing capability also supports new opportunities to expand into the US Energy and Defence Aerospace sectors. The Stow manufacturing hub is already operational and working on an initial A$2.27m order from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest public utility in the USA. The expansion of Stow is to meet an expected step change in US Department of Defense spending on advanced additive manufacturing solutions to support the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base. The increase in capacity at Stow will also allow AML3D to continue its expansion into the wider US Energy and Defense Aerospace sectors. AML3D’s US ‘Scale up’ strategy, launched in early CY2023, has…

Sevaan Group has announced that it has expanded its manufacturing services to include additive manufacturing (AM). The addition of 3D printing capability will provide greater choice for customers regarding parts manufacturing, and the opportunity to attain tangible benefits that can help improve their productivity and revenue. Sevaan already provides a unique integrated capability, an end-to-end workflow from design, prototyping and testing through to the production, assembly and finishing of precisely manufactured metal parts, for its customers. The inclusion of AM into its service mix brings further key customer deliverables. “They will now benefit from more choice when purchasing manufactured parts,” explained David Green, Chief Executive Officer, Sevaan Group. “Our customers can choose to have their required parts manufactured via either traditional processes or 3D industrial printing. “For certain components and production runs, 3D printing can offer specific benefits including rapid prototyping, a faster production turnaround, enhanced quality and cost savings, making it a desirable manufacturing option. “Thanks to AM, customers who only require a small number of parts or perhaps longer-lasting components now no longer need to wait for parts to come…

Australia’s manufacturing industry, employing around 900,000 people and contributing approximately $100bn to the national GDP annually, is pivotal. Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is transforming the landscape by enabling the creation of complex geometries and customised products across various sectors, including defence, aerospace, healthcare, automotive, construction, and fashion. AM is expected to expand rapidly over the next decade, significantly driving Australia’s economic and technological advancements. The AM market reached $14.7bn in 2023, with a growth rate of 13%. Recognised by the Australian Federal Government as part of its Critical Technologies within the advanced manufacturing and materials technologies field, the AM market is expected to continue expanding. Additionally, the AM industry is projected to grow rapidly, with revenues expected to hit $25bn by 2025. This growth is attributed to hardware, materials, software, and services advancements. This expansion underscores the importance of developing robust standards to help ensure quality, safety, and innovation. Standards Australia’s National Committee MB 028 – Additive Manufacturing is actively collaborating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which has a unique partnership agreement with ASTM International…

Group GSA, a renowned design firm with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Beijing, Shanghai, and Ho Chi Minh City, has successfully integrated Raise3D 3D printers from Bilby3D into its operations. Known for its innovative designs, such as the award-winning North Fitzroy Library and Community Hub, Group GSA offers multidisciplinary services in Architectural Design, Interior Design, urban design, Landscape Architecture, and Graphics. Challenges faced Prior to adopting in-house 3D printing technology, Group GSA relied on CGI fly-throughs and occasionally outsourced 3D prints for final display pieces. This process was time-consuming and costly, with each outsourced model taking one to two weeks to produce. The lack of rapid prototyping capability hindered their ability to develop and visualise design concepts efficiently and iteratively. To overcome these challenges, Group GSA adopted the Raise3D Pro2 Plus, provided by Bilby3D. This decision was driven by the need to enhance their design process, allowing for quick and cost-effective production of 3D models. The Raise3D Pro2 Plus has significantly reduced the time required to produce models, from weeks to mere hours, enabling more frequent…

Additive Industries and Additive Assurance partner to provide in situ process monitoring with Additive Industries’ MetalFab portfolio of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) machines. This collaboration will leverage both companies' complementary strengths to improve the process monitoring of additively manufactured parts in high-performance applications. Additive Industries is one of the significant manufacturers of metal L-PBF machines globally and has been serving production-oriented customers for over a decade. Additive Industries’ MetalFab printers offer class-leading automation, scalability, and capability. Their product portfolio has recently been updated with their newest machine, the MetalFab 300 Flex. It is the only metal printer on the market that offers a unique on-demand platform size, providing flexibility for manufacturers and making metal AM more accessible than ever. As AM printers increase build rates and productivity, the requirement for in-process monitoring and quality assurance is becoming essential in many industries to ensure repeatability and generate high production yields. Additive Industries has identified the market gap and is leading the charge with offering this extended capability to its customers. Australian start-up Additive Assurance was spun out of Monash University…

Markforged has unveiled the FX10 Metal Kit, a print engine that makes the FX10 capable of metal printing. With this kit, the FX10 becomes the world’s first industrial 3D printer to print metal filaments and composites with continuous fibre reinforcement. The new metal printing capability for the FX10 will accelerate adoption on the factory floor. “Customers no longer have to choose between a metal and a composite printer. Years of R&D investment and field experience have come together to provide an all-in-one solution for 3D printing to provide immediate return on investment once installed on a factory floor,” said Shai Terem, CEO of Markforged. “The FX10 supercharges other equipment on the factory floor to be better utilised and run more efficiently, increasing productivity and reducing potential line down events.” The FX10, released in November 2023 as a composite-only printer, was designed to be the most versatile tool on the factory floor and has received tremendous feedback from early customers. With its modular architecture, upgrades like the Metal Kit enable FX10 customers to gain additional value from the machine…

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub has welcomed news that the Australian Manufacturing Capability Network (AMCN) has been selected as an Industry Partner Organisation for the Industry Growth Program. Australian Government Minister for Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic recently announced that several not-for-profit organisations will work with the Industry Growth Program to help participating small and medium businesses bring new products and services to market. The Industry Growth Program provides expert advice on commercialisation and early-stage business growth to startups and high-growth small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) operating within the priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund priority, and to help build Australian manufacturing for the future. This advice is provided by Industry Growth program advisers. As an Industry Partner Organisation, the AMCN will complement this advice, and add value to and enhance the support provided to SMEs by offering specialised advisory services, drawing on its sectoral expertise. ARM Hub Founder and CEO Professor Cori Stewart said this was an opportunity to better enable SMEs and startups to become global innovation leaders. “On behalf of the…

Alloys announces its expanded partnership with UltiMaker, a global leader in professional 3D printing technology. Under this enhanced collaboration, Alloys will distribute UltiMaker's full range of 3D printers, including the professional S series, throughout Australia. UltiMaker has earned a reputation for its innovative and reliable 3D printing solutions, catering to professionals across diverse industries such as engineering, design, manufacturing, education, and healthcare. The addition of the UltiMaker S series to Alloys' product lineup further solidifies the company's commitment to providing cutting-edge technology solutions to its customers. “We have been involved in the 3D printing market for a number of year and the extension of our partnership with Ultimaker provides us with further opportunities for our partners to grow their sales and capabilities in this space”, said Paul Harman, Alloys CEO.  “Our customers have been asking us to distribute this range and we believe we can provide growth for the entire Ultimaker stable at Alloys.” The UltiMaker S series provides professional 3D printing, combining cutting-edge features, reliability, and seamless integration into existing workflows. Designed to…

Specialising in diverse industries such as Defence, Rail and Road, Medical, Recreational Vehicles, and Solar PV, the company has embraced 3D printing to streamline its manufacturing processes. Wiring Systems initially experimented with a $5000 3D printer from a different supplier but encountered issues due to the lack of supplier support. Recognising the potential of 3D printing, Harry Antoguelli sought a reliable solution that would meet their printing needs and provide comprehensive support. After that experience, Harry came to Bilby3D and was introduced to the Raise3D Pro3 Plus. Harry mentioned how a main consideration for purchasing from Bilby3D was that we offer parts and support for the Raise3D machines, so he could have the peace of mind that if any problems were to arise then he would have a phone number to call, and that there are spare parts for his machine stocked in Australia. Having a dedicated and foolproof holder for all the hand tools required at a given assembly station means that tools don't find themselves wandering across the…

Metal additive manufacturing encompasses various techniques for creating complex 3D objects layer-by-layer from digital models. Generally speaking, metal AM touts many benefits, including less manufacturing time, lower material waste and, in some cases, stronger material properties than traditional manufacturing processes. The landscape of metal additive manufacturing is constantly evolving for advanced manufacturers in Australia, particularly those serving industries like Defence, Oil and Gas, and Maritime Aerospace and Energy. While techniques like Laser Bed Powder Fusion (LPBF) and Cold Spray have garnered significant attention, Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) offers a compelling alternative, especially when considering large-scale applications. The question often posed to industry specialists is, “How does one know which metal additive manufacturing process is best suited to their workshop needs?” Under ASTM/ISO 52900, there are currently over 18 processes categorised into seven core metal AM techniques; without technology education, the average manufacturer can be forgiven for confusion regarding the process and technique suitable for their specific application. Generally speaking, a majority of Metal AM processes are best applied to smaller componentry or metal parts with a footprint well under…

BelottiSpA, a CNC machining solutions pioneer, proudly announces a groundbreaking advancement in additive manufacturing for tooling and moulds, facilitated by the integration of ADAXIS's AdaOne software. This ultimate platform makes it possible to program and control robotic arms as large-scale 3D printers for a wide range of materials. This collaboration with ADAXIS to incorporate BEAD technology is a significant milestone in manufacturing excellence, offering a simple tool that democratises the fabrication of complex large-scale parts. Multi-axis additive manufacturing, combined with CNC machining, has emerged as a compelling alternative amidst the evolving challenges of manufacturing industries. Making this technology (BEAD) accessible and cost-effective has been a clear objective for Belotti from the outset. Initially through collaboration with CEAD, which brought BEAD to market, and now collaborating with ADAXIS to deliver a turnkey user experience. The additive process excels in tooling and draping mould production, reducing lead times, increasing production flexibility, and ensuring cost and inventory control. However, its effective utilisation requires significant expertise and methodology. This collaboration prioritises user experience by offering simple, robust, and accessible…

Grants of up to $5m to help innovative startups and high-growth small and medium businesses (SMEs) to commercialise their big ideas are now available through the Industry Growth Program (IGP), a part of the Albanese Government’s a Future Made in Australia agenda. The IGP grants will translate more world-leading Australian know-how into viable businesses, growing the pipeline of investment-ready projects for the $15bn National Reconstruction Fund to consider. These grants will provide targeted support for SMEs across the NRF’s seven priority areas to overcome the challenges associated with growing and scaling up through two grant streams: Early-stage commercialisation grants from $50,000 to $250,000 to help establish the commercial viability of an innovative product, process, or service. Commercialisation and Growth grants from $100,000 to $5m to help push ideas from prototyping through to market readiness stages. Grants will help develop strategies for entry to market and scaling up into national and international markets. Grant funding through these programs is matched with the IGP’s specialised advice and mentoring program, which has already supported more than 340 businesses since opening in November…

There was a healthy dose of enthusiasm among the stands at AMW2024 today. I reckon people had some good sleeps because the word is this is the day to impress. Like Wednesday, the hours are extended to 7 pm to assist with attendees visiting later in the day, and giving everyone more time to check out every corner of the AMW2024 show. So much going on and there was an uptick in visitors after hours last night as predicted. Among the many scanners on display at the huge Hi-Tech Metrology stand there were some of the very latest solutions, in this case a handheld 3D scanner, an Ametek Creaform Handiscan Elite mounted on a robot arm, which was scan-building a digital twin of an object on a platform for later inspection. There were Hexagon coordinate Measuring Machines, and a range of micron-accurate digital instruments from Trimos, Sylvac and Bowers. Another stood like a surveyor’s LiDAR station on a tripod. That’s where the similarity stops. This Leica Absolute Tracker is able to scope a viewed surface from a…