Australia bets AUD 2.7M on certified metal AM parts for defense, maritime and medical applications

A new $2.7 million industry-led project will help establish the sovereign capability Australia needs to manufacture critical metal components for defense, maritime and medical applications.

Led by Stärke-AMG and Flinders University, the four-year initiative will develop the manufacturing processes, qualification data and quality frameworks needed to produce certified metal additive manufactured components in Australia.

Also part of the initiative are Adelaide University and Metal Powder Works that will contribute specialist expertise in materials development, powder characterization and process optimization.

Closing the capability gap

The project addresses one of the key barriers to wider additive manufacturing adoption: bridging the gap between prototype development and the production of qualified components that meet industry requirements.

By closing this capability gap, the project will help establish the local manufacturing capacity needed to produce advanced metal components for defence, maritime and medical applications, reducing reliance on overseas supply chains and supporting the growth of Australian industry.

For Stärke-AMG, the project marks a strategic step beyond prototyping and towards becoming a qualified manufacturing partner for high-value defence, maritime, space and healthcare markets.

Stärke-AMG CEO Al Jawhari said the project would help build the systems and technical evidence required to meet the demands of regulated industries.

 Leading the research effort, Flinders University will develop the material science, qualification methodologies and performance datasets needed to understand, validate and qualify advanced alloys for defence and medical applications.

 Using three Renishaw AM400 systems, the project will establish production-ready pathways for a range of strategic alloys used in defense, shipbuilding and medical technologies, creating a pathway from prototype development to qualified production.

 By project completion, the consortium aims to deliver qualified manufacturing workflows, certification-ready datasets and production demonstrators that support sovereign manufacturing capability and reduce reliance on imported components in the aforementioned strategic sectors.

*We curate insights that matter to help you grow in your AM journey. Receive them once a week, straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.