Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG), in partnership with Flinders University, has expanded its Additive Manufacturing capability at its Camden Park facility through the addition of three Renishaw AM400 laser powder bed fusion systems.
This investment strengthens Stärke’s position as a multi-process metal Additive Manufacturing provider and adds the advanced manufacturing capability that South Australia requires to support sectors such as space, defence and medical which are transitioning from traditional to advanced manufacturing.
The machines were initially purchased by Flinders University for research purposes and are now being integrated into Stärke’s production environment to help meet growing demand for advanced 3D printed components and reduce Australia’s reliance on imported parts.
One of the three systems will support research and development activities under a newly funded Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) project, delivered in collaboration with Stärke-AMG, Flinders University, The University of Adelaide and Metal Powder Works.
The new machines will complement Stärke’s established Arcam Electron Beam Melting platforms and broadens Stärke’s material and process offering beyond titanium to include stainless steel, aluminium and super alloy Inconel.
Stärke-Advanced Manufacturing Group CEO and co-founder Al Jawhari said that the Additive Manufacturing capability introduced by these additional machines is unique in South Australia and meets a critical need.
“Manufacturers, including those in the defence sector, want access to world-class, reliable and sustainable digitally enabled production,” Jawhari explained.
“Relying on overseas manufacturing is risky whilst traditional manufacturing methods can’t offer cost-effective solutions for complex products or small-batch manufacturing.”
Additive manufacturing uses digitally controlled processes to build components layer by layer, selectively melting metal powder with either an electron beam or a laser to create highly precise, complex 3D parts.
“Defence is a major focus for us, and we hope to become certified by ASC and the US Navy in a matter of months," Jawhari stated.
“Defence needs to be able to innovate and design new ways of doing things but there is also a need to repair infrastructure, vehicles, equipment and systems, whilst at AUKUS level, additive manufacturing will be one of the critical capabilities that will allow Australia and its allies to share digital designs and produce certified components as required."
Stärke has already received orders for components, including water pump parts for the local office of a multinational water treatment company, the company claims, and is targeting several additional opportunities in the space and energy markets in the coming months as the new machines are brought into production.
“The demand for 3D printed products spans almost every industry from Defence and Space to Health and Medical, Agribusiness, Consumer Goods and Automotive,” Jawhari indicated.