CSIRO opens metal 3D printing center for Australian companies

June 1, 2015
A $6 million facility, Lab 22, has been opened by CSIRO to accelerate industry adoption of metal 3D printing and other emerging additive manufacturing technologies. 

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

About the Author

LFW Staff

Published since 1965, Laser Focus World—a brand and monthly magazine for engineers, researchers, scientists, and technical professionals—provides comprehensive global coverage of optoelectronic technologies, applications, and markets. With 80,000+ qualified print subscribers in print and over a half-million annual visitors to our online content, we are the go-to source to access decision makers and stay in-the-know.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ask the Expert: Building Better Laser Micromachining Systems

Dec. 8, 2023
Dr. Cliff Jolliffe, Head of Strategic Marketing, Industrial Automation, Physik Instrumente (PI), fields questions about integrating controls for different motion systems and lasers...

Video: December 8, 2023 Photonics Hot List

Dec. 8, 2023
In this episode, we cover a microscopy method that hits uncharted cell territory, drone-based imaging for solar farm inspection, soliton microcombs that boost conversion efficiency...

China’s industrial laser market shows steady growth in turbulent times

Dec. 8, 2023
This in-depth market update focuses on trends in laser processing and industrial lasers while touching on what to expect in the ultrafast laser, fiber laser, LiDAR, and handheld...

What does it take to land venture capital for photonics-driven startups?

Dec. 7, 2023
Capital to grow a startup company can come from many sources: contract and non-recurring engineering (NRE) funding, angels and friends, customer upfront payments, and venture ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!