May 2011 - Amtil

Industry News
1st Pacific Additive Manufacturing Forum
Additive Manufacturing (AM), also referred to as 3D
printing, is now playing a major role in a range of key industries
such as aerospace, automotive and medical where
it enhances the ability to fabricate complex, functional
components. AM utilises both metal and polymer-based
materials to mass manufacture components directly from
CAD data.
The products are grown/printed layer by layer without
the need for time-consuming subtractive manufacturing
processes such as line set up and machining. As such,
fully functional components or products can be produced,
on an ‘as needed’ basis, in groups nested with other components
or as single items. This dramatically reduces
the cost of production and the time needed to bring new
products to market.
Milan Brandt, Professor of Advanced Manufacturing at
RMIT and organiser of Pacific Additive Manufacturing
Forum (PAMF) said that PAMF is the first in a series of
annual conferences focussing on the application of additive
technologies in Australia and the Pacific region. PAMF
aims to bring together industry,
researchers, and equipment
suppliers to discuss the latest
developments and progress in
AM technology from international
and local industry practitioners,
the aim being to share
knowledge, experiences and
visions for this technology.
The one-day Forum in Melbourne
on 7 June will serve
as the opening for a series of
half-day technical presentations
held in Adelaide, Sydney and
Brisbane from 8 to 15 June.
These are organised in partnership
with the Defence Materials
Technology Centre and will
be targeting SMEs currently
working in the Defence sector,
wishing to improve their productivity, efficiency and
competitiveness when sourcing defence contracts.
“The Forum and technical presentations are an opportunity
for Australian companies to understand the prospects, challenges
and opportunities in applying AM technology”, says
Brandt. “Attendees will learn when it makes good business
sense to consider AM for part production. They will also be
introduced to the growing number of opportunities available
for custom and short-run production, replacement part
manufacturing, or manufacturing aids, such as jigs, fixtures
and assembly guides.”
PAMF builds on the very successful ‘Factory of the Future’
series of events organised and supported in 2010 by Formero
Pty Ltd. Terry Wohlers, an internationally renowned industry
consultant, speaker and author, will be the keynote speaker
at the Forum and will also head the series of presentations in
other capital cities around the world. Wohlers led the ‘Factory
of the Future’ seminars in 2010, where he was joined by
speakers from Germany, Korea,
USA and South Africa.
The Melbourne event will
conclude with the opening of
the RMIT multi-million dollar
Advanced Manufacturing
Precinct (AMP). The AMP will
house the latest in state-of-theart
AM technology and is aimed
at creating new opportunities in
design, innovation and product
development/manufacture for
Australian companies in general.
The AMP will focus on
advanced product design, materials
and processes, and aim
to generate new commercially
significant intellectual property.
Brandt said “the additive
manufacturing path, which was started some 15 years
ago by a few pioneers, is now a growing technological
freeway encouraging everyone to get on board, through
PAMF, for a glimpse of the future.”
This year at Austech will see the introduction of an
Additive Manufacturing Showcase. With the support
of companies such as XYZ Innovation, Camplex,
3D Printing Systems Hi-Tech Metrology, Rapid
Concepts, Benson Machines, Rapidpro, Formero
and RMIT University, AMTIL has put together a
static display highlighting to visitors the technology
behind AM and the benefits of the process. Austech
runs from 24-27 May at the Melbourne Exhibition
Centre in conjunction with Ausplas and National
Manufacturing Week. To register for the show visit
www.austechexpo.com.au
24 May 2011 Australian Manufacturing Technology