Austal, in partnership with Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC), has launched a collaborative research project aimed at accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing across Australia’s maritime and defence sectors.
The 18-month, $600,000 project seeks to develop a practical framework that will help manufacturers identify where additive manufacturing can deliver the greatest operational, commercial and supply chain benefits, according to a media release from Austal.
The initiative comes as additive manufacturing continues to attract investment globally, while industry faces challenges in determining where the technology offers the strongest value in naval vessel manufacturing, maintenance and operations.
Under the project, researchers will develop an industry-ready assessment framework capable of evaluating potentially thousands of components against operational, commercial, technical and regulatory requirements. The goal is to provide manufacturers with a consistent methodology for deciding which parts are best suited for additive manufacturing.
Austal Head of Research and Development Sam Abbott said the project represents a move beyond isolated applications of additive manufacturing towards a more systematic approach.
“The challenge is no longer whether additive manufacturing works. The challenge is knowing where it delivers the greatest value,” Abbott said.
“This framework will help us quantify the demand for additive manufacturing across maritime and defence programs, allowing industry to make better investment decisions, build more resilient supply chains and accelerate the uplift of Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.”
According to Austal, the framework is intended to support more informed decisions on reducing lead times, strengthening supply chains and enhancing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.
The project will also draw on Austal’s experience as the prime contractor for the United States Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, incorporating manufacturing data and industry insights into the research.
Curtin University will lead the development and validation of the framework, working with industry partners and using vessel and supply chain data to ensure the outcomes are commercially relevant.
Research lead Dr Karl Davidson said the framework is designed to simplify the process of identifying opportunities for additive manufacturing.
“By combining engineering, operational and commercial considerations into a single framework, we can help manufacturers make faster, more informed decisions about where additive manufacturing can deliver measurable benefits,” Davidson said.
The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre said the research addresses a key obstacle to broader industry adoption by helping manufacturers determine which components are most suitable for the technology across both defence and civilian supply chains.
AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott said many organisations recognise the potential of additive manufacturing but face uncertainty over where it is most viable.
“Many organisations understand the potential of additive manufacturing, but struggle to determine where it makes commercial and operational sense,” Marriott said.
“This project will deliver a practical solution that helps industry identify high-value opportunities, prioritise investment and build confidence to scale adoption.”
According to Austal, the framework is also expected to have applications beyond the maritime and defence sectors, providing a repeatable model that could support productivity, resilience and competitiveness across other areas of Australian manufacturing.
The content of this article is based on information supplied by Austal Ltd. For more information, please refer to the official company announcement and communications from Austal. Please consult a licensed and/or registered professional in this area before making any decisions based on the content of this article.
