Fraunhofer Laser Institute Joins Australian Additive Manufacturing Project

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) has joined an Australia R&D initiative involving laser additive manufacturing.

The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) will be based in Melbourne, with other nodes around Australia. It will focus on researching and developing additive manufacturing processes, developing automated and supportive technologies and high-quality products and, finally, transferring the technology to industry.

The only Germany R&D organization participating, Fraunhofer ILT will play a role in two IMCRC research areas. These include additive manufacturing of 3-D multimaterial systems and components, as well as expanding application areas, particularly in electrical engineering (microphones) and medical technology (implants). Fraunhofer ILT said it will provide a major share of the personnel, plant and system technology, and will receive direct funding from Australia.

The project’s total budget about 250 million Australian dollars ($194 million), consisting of AU$40 million in government funding and another AU$210 million in contributions from industry, according to IMCRC interim Chairman Peter Jonson.

The initiative includes 18 international manufacturing companies, including SLM Solutions GmbH, Røde Microphones and Stryker Corp. More companies are set to join in the next few years. In addition, 16 international universities and research institutions are participating alongside Australian universities, such as RMIT University – which has had a close partnership with Fraunhofer ILT for many years – and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

For more information, visit www.imcrc.org and www.ilt.fraunhofer.de.