The Melbourne-based Lab 22 centre was established with the aim of making additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology more accessible to industry, particularly small businesses.
“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.
Kingsbury explained that Lab 22 provided businesses with the opportunity to “try before they buy”, lowering capital investment risk while also allowing them to access the expertise of CSIRO’s research scientists.
“It means that they get to [become] familiar with the equipment and get the training and support to enable them to feel confident about potentially making a purchase of one of these types of machines in the future,” she said.
Lab 22 scientists are available to help businesses tailor design solutions, capture 3D data and simulate both the manufacturing process and the in-service performance of 3D-printed parts, which could help improve efficiencies, performance and profitability in the product development sector.
The centre features a variety of equipment, including:
• The Arcam A1 metal printer.
• The Concept Laser M2 laser-based metal printer.
• The Optomec Lens MR-7 blown powder printing system.
• The Voxelject VX1000 sand printer.
• Plasma Giken cold spray equipment.
Kingsbury said transitioning to new technology such as additive manufacturing was critical for the industry to remain internationally competitive. “Lab 22 makes it much easier and affordable, so local companies can try out the equipment, use it to design or test new products or upskill their workforce, providing them with the tools to differentiate themselves, grow and get ahead of global competitors,” she said.
The new centre has already attracted at least four industry partners, including quarry equipment supplier Keech 3D, which launched its additive manufacturing facility in July 2014.
Kingsbury encouraged other businesses to get involved. “We want industry to come in and tell us their great ideas and to try out their ideas using our equipment,” she said. “You’re only limited by your imagination when it comes to 3D printing.”
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