IMAGE: Alex Kingsbury leads CSIRO’s additive manufacturing research at Lab 22.
A new facility, Lab 22, has been opened by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to accelerate industry adoption of metal 3D printing and other emerging additive manufacturing technologies. The $6 million center provides Australian companies with affordable access to additive manufacturing equipment and expertise and offers efficiency and productivity benefits for product development.
“This advanced equipment is in the range of $1 million per unit, but the vast majority of small and medium-sized businesses don’t have that amount of capital on-hand to take a leap of faith on a new or emerging technology,” CSIRO additive manufacturing research leader, Alex Kingsbury said. “We’re providing Australian companies with a unique opportunity to access some of the most advanced additive manufacturing equipment with the help of our experienced technical experts, for a comparatively minimal daily fee.”
CSIRO has partnered with industry on a range of products using its Arcam 3D printer, including a titanium heel bone implant to treat a cancer patient, a mouthguard for treating sleep apnoea, and a customizable orthotic for horses suffering laminitis. 3D printing service companies Made for Me and Keech3D were the first companies to sign up to use Lab 22.
The additive manufacturing equipment in Lab 22 includes: Arcam A1, Concept Laser M2, Optomec LENS MR-7, Voxelject VX1000, and Cold Spray Plasma Giken. Cold spray deposition technology, laser heat treatment, surface engineering and advanced machinery are available to improve efficiencies, performance and profitability.
Related article:Laser Additive Manufacturing: How does additive manufacturing 'stack up' against subtractive methods?
For more information, contact Alex Kingsbury: [email protected]
Source: CSIRO
IMAGE: Industry can 3D print out of sand, titanium, and other metals using Lab 22 facilities.
Originally posted 6/1/2015