AMTIL Backs Industry Collaboration to Unlock Additive Manufacturing Opportunities

A new $600,000 collaborative research project involving Austal, Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) aims to help Australian manufacturers identify where additive manufacturing can deliver the greatest commercial and operational value.

Over the next 18 months, the project will develop a practical framework that enables manufacturers to assess components against operational, commercial, technical and regulatory requirements. The goal is to provide a consistent methodology for identifying the most suitable applications for additive manufacturing and addressing one of the key barriers to broader industry adoption.

Initially focused on the maritime and defence sectors, the framework is expected to deliver benefits well beyond these industries, helping manufacturers reduce lead times, strengthen supply chains, improve productivity and support Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.

For Austal, the project represents a shift from individual additive manufacturing applications to a scalable, strategic approach that supports better investment decisions and long-term capability development. The research will also draw on Austal’s experience as the prime contractor for the United States Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, bringing valuable international expertise to the project.

Curtin University will lead the development and validation of the framework, working closely with industry to ensure the outcomes are practical and commercially relevant. By combining engineering, operational and commercial considerations into a single assessment process, the framework will help manufacturers make faster, more informed decisions about where additive manufacturing can deliver measurable benefits.

According to AMCRC, many organisations recognise the potential of additive manufacturing but continue to face challenges identifying where it makes the most commercial sense. This project aims to provide manufacturers with a practical tool to identify high-value opportunities, prioritise investment and build confidence in adopting additive manufacturing at scale.

At AMTIL, we welcome initiatives that help manufacturers move from opportunity to implementation. Industry-led collaboration between manufacturers, researchers and government is essential to accelerating the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, strengthening supply chain resilience and ensuring Australian manufacturing remains globally competitive.

Source: Adapted from a media release issued by Austal, Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC).