Markforged pioneering 3D printer makes Australian debut
Australian manufacturers will now gain access to a ground-breaking new composite 3D printer at the Swinburne University of Technology, from global market leader Markforged.
The Markforged FX20 printer is primarily designed for high-strength end-use parts in the aerospace, defense, automotive and energy industries. The FX20 prints nearly five times larger builds and is up to eight times faster than Markforged’s existing line of composite printers.
The FX20 printer at Swinburne’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) will be the first and only FX20 printer openly accessible to industry in Australia for use in research and development, helping promote new aerospace development and support the continued growth of the sector locally.
It also features a heated build chamber capable of maintaining a temperature of up to 200°C to print flame-retardant, high-performance thermoplastic material.
Shai Terem, President and CEO of Markforged, hosted the Australian launch of the FX20 3D printer at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus as part of a three-city launch tour in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. “With this combination of hardware and software, users can create end-use, mission-critical parts and build resilient and sustainable supply chains that extend directly to the point of need,” he said. “The FX20 is a beast of a machine, enabling the robust production of lightweight, advanced composite parts.” Markforged Senior Director Australia, Richard Elving noted, “the FX20 will provide a competitive advantage to manufacturers by allowing them to react quickly to solve problems right on the manufacturing floor.”
“The FX20 will strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and support reshoring across a wide range of sectors.”
Alongside to facilitate the launch was Swinburne’s AIR Hub Director Dr. Adriano Di Pietro, who said, “AIR Hub is bringing industry together with cutting edge technology to support the growth of aviation and aerospace in Australia. We’re proud to be hosting Australia’s first openly accessible FX20 in Swinburne’s Factory of the Future.” “This state-of-the-art printer will be a game-changer for Australian businesses.”