Development of 3D metal additive manufacturing in SA

The challenge

South Australia had a substantial number of prospective users of additive manufactured parts, and a key capability gap in metal 3D additive manufacturing.

Our solution

To establish 3D metal additive manufacturing capability in SA, and partner with global leaders in metal additive manufacturing to transfer cutting-edge knowledge from the University of Adelaide.

How we did it

Establishing a facility and network in SA

In 2017 the University received a $1.4 million State Government grant through the Australian Government’s CRC for Innovative Manufacturing (IMCRC) to establish the:

  • South Australian Additive Manufacturing Applied Research Network (AMARN)

AMARN is a partnership between the University of Adelaide, South Australian State Government, Federal Government, the Stretton Centre, Century Group Pty Ltd and other industry collaborators aimed at facilitating the adoption of 3D metal additive manufacturing within South Australian companies. In 2019, Amaero International became an AMARN member.

  • Australian Advanced Materials Manufacturing (AAMM) facility

The AAMM facility is the most advanced 3D metal additive manufacturing centre in Australia available to industry for research and commercial activities. It provides access to technology that removes significant costs and barriers for local manufacturers. The metal 3D printing facility helps manufacturers as they move to adopt advanced methods based on modern technologies. It was born out of three years’ work by the University of Adelaide’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and the Optofab Australian National Fabrication Facility and the South Australian State Government.

A partnership with Amaero

The University controlled and operated the AAMM facility ahead of securing private investment with Amaero International Pty Ltd.

Amaero is an Australian-based company, initially spun-out of Monash University, that manufactures large format complex components in metal with laser-based additive manufacturing processes. Amaero is a leading provider to manufacturers in the defence and aerospace industries such as Boeing, BAE Systems and Raytheon.

In 2019 a strategic partnership was established with Amaero assuming the rights and responsibilities of the AAMM facility in exchange for providing the University shares in the company. The University worked with Amaero to integrate the capability into its business, and IPAS continues to use the facility to conduct research with industry.

Outcomes

  • The University remains a leader in additive manufacturing research.
  • Metal additive manufacturing is available to industry on a commercial basis in SA.
  • Amaero International Pty Ltd (ASX:3DA) is now a listed company following a successful IPO in 2019 which was oversubscribed, and has a current market valuation of more than $100m.