AM Hub Press

Explore the manufacturing revolution in our "Unlocking the Future of Manufacturing 4.0 in Mining" webinar – a cornerstone of our "Change Makers" Executive Series, featuring industry leader CADDS Group. With over 30 years of excellence in multidisciplinary drafting services and design consultancy groups, CADDS Group has been the preferred choice for industry giants like Rio Tinto, Alcoa, BHP, and Kerman Contracting. Webinar Highlights: Management Insights: Join Pip Smith and Norbert Babooram for candid conversations on pivotal decisions, strategies, and technologies shaping success in the mining industry The 3D’s Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification: Based on hard data from Australian Industry Groups future map NetZero diagnostic tool, David will share insights about how industry can navigate the opportunities and challenges relating to digitisation, decarbonisation, and diversification to restart Australia’s productivity agenda. Virtual Smart Factory Walkthrough: Take a live virtual tour of a cutting-edge smart facility, showcasing the impact of AI, robotics, and additive manufacturing. Application Spotlights: Delve into real-world case studies highlighting efficiency gains and innovation opportunities through additive manufacturing. 11 April (Thursday) 10AM AWST / 12PM AEST…

Registrations are now open for your attendance at Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) in Sydney. Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) is run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), with the NSW Government as the Major Sponsor. This huge event will occupy more than 6,560 square metres of exhibition space at the Sydney ICC at Darling Harbour. Up to 250 organisations have already taken stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. Don’t miss out!    REGISTER NOW!   There are SEVEN Zones to AMW2024, each with a particular focus, speciality and technology. These are: Austech Machine Tools, sponsored by Finlease; Additive Manufacturing Zone; Australian Manufacturers Zone; Manufacturing Solutions Zone, sponsored by The Execution Factor; Robotics & Automation Zone; sponsored by IFS Weld and Air Solutions Zone; and the Plastic Technology Zone. At Australian Manufacturing Week, you will see many exhibitors showcasing all of the above and have the opportunity to find the right process, talk to the right people, gain the right expertise, and get on the right path to your…

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), a leader in developing unmanned aircraft systems, has embraced this truth by integrating Additive Manufacturing (AM) into its core processes. From experimental beginnings to becoming a manufacturing cornerstone, GA-ASI's journey with AM exemplifies innovation at its finest. Revolutionising design and production GA-ASI's foray into AM has revolutionised how unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-9B SkyGuardian are built. By adopting AM, GA-ASI has not only streamlined its manufacturing processes but has also unlocked new potential in aircraft design and functionality. The result? Thousands of parts were produced via AM, now flying across multiple GA-ASI platforms. A systematic approach for optimal results GA-ASI's success with AM isn't accidental. It's the outcome of a systematic, refined approach aligning with business objectives. Key strategies include developing a robust AM ecosystem, establishing a solid business case for AM, and partnering with industry leaders. This disciplined approach ensures each AM project aligns with the company's mission, ensuring quality and innovation at every step. Stratasys: a partnership that elevates In its quest to master AM,…

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has announced that it is launching a bid for funding in Round 25 of the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Grant Program. Globally there has been a rapid take-up of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies by companies developing new products to stay ahead in the innovation race. Start-ups and high-growth companies like Boeing, Tesla, Stryker, and Align have all documented significant advantages in utilising AM to enhance product performance, customise the user experience, and improve supply chain efficiency. These advantages address many of the challenges that Australian manufacturers face in getting products into world markets and with the national imperative to get Australia making again, AM will be a critical part of this transformation journey. AMCRC’s bid is industry-led and backed by Australia’s peak manufacturing industry association, the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), 13 leading research organisations, and CSIRO. AMTIL CEO Shane Infanti observed that the Australian industry has been adopting 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies at a record pace but with global players like the US, EU and…

Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW2024) is now OPEN FOR REGISTRATION. The show is to be held at the Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC) at Darling Harbour, 17-19 April 2024. Run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL), AMW2024 will occupy more than 6,560 square metres of exhibition space at the ICC, with more than 215 organisations so far taking stands to showcase the latest manufacturing technologies, processes, and support services. REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for visitors planning to come to this incredible show in Sydney. Click through to register HERE. ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING ZONE With the likes of Bilby 3D, CSIRO Manufacturing, Aurarum, AXT, FormLab Inc., Titomic, Innovync, Shining 3D and Lightwave Technology, the range of exhibitors includes Additive Manufacturing users, suppliers, and supporters. The Additive Manufacturing Zone will spotlight the latest advances in the technologies within this sector. Techniques within Additive Manufacturing include Stereolithography, Selective Laser Sintering, Material Extrusion, Sheet lamination, Binder jetting, Cold Spray processing, Material jetting, directed energy deposition, powder bed fusion, VAT…

Projection Micro Stereolithography or PµSL for short, is a micro 3D printing process that is a variation on stereolithography (SLA) that enables users to microfabricate components with ultra-high resolution down to 2 µm. With a range of commercially available liquid polymer resins and the ability to tailor your own formulation, PµSL introduces new levels of freedom compared to other traditional microfabrication techniques. It has the added benefits of superior material integrity and surface finish compared to conventional polymer 3D printing. With many manufacturers across a variety of industries pushing for miniaturisation in their product designs, micro 3D printing opens new possibilities for component manufacturers, offering design freedom and rapid concept to product timeframes. While 3D printing and desktop 3D printers have become extremely accessible, sometimes design specifications go beyond their capabilities and even those of micro injection moulding and micro CNC machining. In this article we explore Projection Micro Sterolithography (PµSL) as an alternative solution.   Background 3D printing of polymers has really taken off in recent years. Interestingly, the driving force behind the growth has been non-commercial…

This article aims to explore the challenges being faced by manufacturing organisations across industries. A societal and cultural shift away from manual, craftsmanship-based roles, coupled with the perception of health risks in manufacturing occupations has led to a significant skills shortage in the sector. Various other challenges include regulatory pressures, unstable supply chains, and unprecedented uncertainties — all of which are exacerbating the situation and threatening the competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises. However, this article posits that the solution to these escalating issues lies within the realm of digitalisation and automation technology. Our analysis is rooted in the evolution of job market trends, and the opportunities presented by innovations such as Rivelin NetShape, a frontrunner in the digital revolution of manufacturing. By harnessing machine learning, advanced sensors, and proprietary algorithms, this technology transforms skilled manual tasks for post-processing and finishing metal parts and components into repeatable, traceable digital procedures that significantly boost productivity and reduce costs. The article will go on to present a future where the burdens of manual labour can be alleviated by robotics and AI and show…

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) is an industry-led collaborative research funding organisation focused on advancing Australia’s additive manufacturing sector. The centre brings together industry partners, developing the next generation of products and services, and research institutions to conduct cutting-edge research, develop new technologies, and drive innovation to foster a globally competitive innovation ecosystem for advanced manufacturing. The CRC matches dollar-for-dollar Industry Partner cash for collaborative manufacturing R&D and innovation projects with CRC Research Partners. This is a potential fit for Industry Partners (e.g. manufacturing and related businesses) where strategy includes: investing in an eligible transformative manufacturing R&D project with a CRC Research Partner of between two and five years in duration, that can commence from 2025 onwards; spending at least $250,000 cash per project to fund the cost of researcher salaries and operating costs at a CRC Research Partner (which, if eligible, the CRC can match dollar for dollar up to a maximum of five million dollars per business); with the Research Partner(s) conducting at least 50% of the overall project research effort; utilising and/or developing new…

Following years of research and development, in 2014, Markforged unveiled the first 3D printer capable of printing in continuous carbon fibre. Then, in 2015, Markforged unveiled its cloud-based 3D printing software, Eiger. Merging the advancements of its printers, materials, and software into one platform, Markforged established the Digital Forge: the intuitive Additive Manufacturing platform for modern manufacturers. Markforged now has a significant presence in Australia, after having no presence in the region five years ago. Through the use of demonstration centres in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane, local partners have been able to help customers boost in-house manufacturing efficiency and reduce dependency for parts on countries outside of Australia. Australian companies like Avicena, which produces more than 100 components of its Sentinel system in-house on Markforged printers, have adopted Markforged into its manufacturing processes to cut costs without affecting quality. Centor Global Services, a Brisbane-based manufacturer of high-end doors, utilises Markforged printers for the complex parts necessary to be a leader in its industry. For SQP, a family-owned and operated business located in Perth that provides…

Coherent Corporation, a global leader in ceramics and metal matrix composites, has announced that it has developed an additive manufacturing process capable of producing advanced ceramic components for high-performance thermal management applications, including for next-generation semiconductor capital equipment. Severe shortages of integrated circuits based on leading-edge nodes have spurred massive investments worldwide in the buildout of semiconductor manufacturing facilities equipped with the most advanced semiconductor capital equipment. Coherent has successfully developed proprietary materials and technologies that enable ceramic components produced with its additive manufacturing process to match those produced with its existing molding process in their mechanical and thermal properties. Ceramic components manufactured with the new additive manufacturing process can now be precision-machined using the most advanced laser-based techniques, including those available at Coherent. These are critical for next-generation semiconductor capital equipment. Additive manufacturing is superior to molding in process capability, yield, and throughput. It requires no retooling time between components, which minimizes lead times and waste. As such, additive manufacturing is ideal for Industry 4.0 factories that are designed for resilient and flexible scaling. “Ceramic additive manufacturing enables…

World-leading Australian 3D printing technology company, Luyten 3D, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Alquist 3D which will see Luyten 3D supplying its proprietary 3D concrete mix ‘Ultimatecrete’ to Alquist 3D for the building of houses and other dwellings in the United States and Canada. The partnership brings together two of the most progressive 3D printing businesses to accelerate the building of 3D homes and dwellings in the United States and Canada. Luyten 3D is an Australian company founded in 2020 that has rapidly forged a strong reputation for the design and manufacture of cutting-edge mobile AI-powered 3D concrete printers for the building and construction industry.  It has also developed the world’s leading concrete mix ‘Ultimatecrete’ for the industry capable of delivering fast-drying high strength eco-friendly concrete in the building of 3D structures.  Luyten 3D was the first company in Australia to introduce 3D printing robotics for the building and construction sector and the team has already achieved significant milestones including the building of the first 3D building code-compliant house in the southern hemisphere in Australia. Alquist 3D is a…

The crowds in the AMW2023 halls were very impressed as soon as they walked in on the first day. A straw poll was taken of what they were thinking, and one yelled, "We're back baby!" I think he may have had some skin in the game. There are some very large stands showing off some incredible technology. This massive show offers the perfect setting for people from all over Australian manufacturing sectors to access suitable resources, exchange ideas and network with the largest group of like-minded working manufacturers. By midday on the first day, we all thought the show couldn’t get any busier. There were crowds and queues in front of John Hart, OKUMA, and SWI Industries. Earlier on in the day, the very first presentation for the Future Solutions Speaker Program was Neil Matthews, the Head of Engineering at Titomic Ltd was crowded to bursting. Matthews detailed Titomic’s cold spray AM process and fed into research being done to the coating process for the aerospace, defence, transport and other manufacturing areas. Later in the day, the CSIRO PhD Cherry Chen, was digging into some…

Additive manufacturing continues to disrupt the traditional manufacturing paradigm, and every day secures a more robust foothold as a production technology. The reason for this is driven by advances in build processes that promote increases in speed, accuracy, and repeatability of production, and therefore increased yield ratios. As is now well-known and accepted, AM is important as it facilitates the creation of geometrically complex parts and components. AM reduces waste and allows for the creation of lighter structures with an obvious importance in the automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors. AM also allows for the simple production of replacement parts impossible or uneconomical to replace using traditional processes, meaning that machines can be repaired not replaced. All such advantages along with AM’s ability to democratise and localise manufacturing with all that implies in terms of shortened and domestic supply chains means that as a technology, its future is assured. AM and post-processing One area where significant issues reside in AM parts…