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The new Sydney Manufacturing Hub was inaugurated with the Minister of Employment, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Hon. Stuart Ayres. It will serve as a fundamental node for the complementary facilities that support the NSW government projects at Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Western Sydney parklands. GE Additive and the University of Sydney joined the project to collaborate on R&D topics and demonstrate AM technology
Located in the engineering district of the University of Sydney’s Darlington campus, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub is a new manufacturing-focused research center that will work alongside industry to provide cutting-edge R&D in additive manufacturing and processing of materials.
It is designed to enable concept-to-production demonstration capabilities, including advanced pre-processing and post-processing of materials for faculty, students, small and medium-sized businesses and, if necessary, large companies to experience and benefit from metallic 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) and advanced manufacturing – often for the first time.
The Hub provides capabilities for design, topology optimization, 3D printing of metals, ceramics and polymers, as well as post-processing heat treatment, advanced characterization and more, paving the way for new technologies in sectors such as aerospace, autonomous vehicles, biomedical, defense, maritime and robotics.
University of Sydney Vice Chancellor Professor Mark Scott AO said the University has continued to demonstrate its capacity as a leader in R&D in the region by working closely with the public and private sectors. “The Sydney Manufacturing Hub, located in Darlington at the very heart of ‘Tech Central’ is a key demonstrator of what is ultimately possible when government, industry and higher education work together on high impact technologies.”
“This is demonstrated not only by the creation of this new research center, but also through our collaborative projects in Greater Sydney, in particular the Western Sydney Parklands and Aerotropolis. “
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Employment, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister of Trade and Industry, The Hon. Stuart Ayres said: “The concept of modern and additive manufacturing, rather than deductive manufacturing, is completely changing the opportunities for Australians. “
The Director of Basic Research Facilities at the University of Sydney, Professor Simon Ringer, said the Sydney Manufacturing Hub will be the engine of the state’s “Industry 5.0†revolution.
“State-of-the-art manufacturing makes possible what was previously impossible. Key industries will benefit from these technologies through reduced material waste, streamlined supply chains, and an independent ability to create materials, components, and even entire machines, which was not possible with traditional manufacturing. “Said Professor Ringer.
“Using these technologies, we may soon see Australian designed and built space rocket engines, hypersonic vehicles, satellites, eco-active buildings and constructions, and accelerate the propulsion electrification revolution. It will even be transformative for areas like healthcare – our team recently took advantage of additive manufacturing in the production of custom orthopedic implants to meet specific patient needs.
“We are seeing a dramatic disruption in the way materials are made, resulting in breakthroughs in research. On the one hand, we look at the periodic table with new eyes – additive manufacturing makes it possible
we combine elements to create new materials with entirely new combinations of large-scale properties. On the other hand, additive and advanced manufacturing has made manufacturing more accessible, with digital workflows making it easier for local businesses to enter competitive global markets. “
The research center puts Sydney at the center of new skills-based development and sets the gears in motion for the state’s advanced “Industry 5.0†release.
The facility will provide expert advice, manufacturing activation and training to its industrial partners, providing guided and autonomous access to the facilities for testing, research and manufacturing purposes.
One of these partners is a global leader and pioneer in additive manufacturing technology, the subsidiary of General Electric GE Additive, which entered into a five-year strategic agreement with the University in 2020 to advance the manufacturing capacity of Australia.
The University of Sydney and GE Additive are collaborating on R&D topics around materials, with experimental work being done in the new facility.
Home to advanced metal printing technologies from GE Additive, the Hub will serve as a technology demonstration center for GE Additive in Australia and New Zealand and host workshops, training and collaboration sessions for the industry.
GE Australia Country Head Sam Maresh said small and medium-sized businesses make up the majority of advanced manufacturing operators in Australia and are a priority for collaboration with the Hub
“The Sydney Manufacturing Hub is now open to businesses and ready to engage with industry across NSW, especially SMEs where there are significant opportunities for new, highly skilled jobs. This facility will support industry and research collaboration and is poised to become a commercialization hub for new products and innovations in a range of advanced manufacturing industries. NSW is positioned at the center of additive manufacturing and research capacity in the Asia Pacific region and the Sydney Manufacturing Hub is an important step towards realizing this ambition, â€said Mr. Maresh.
“We are delighted to partner with the University on this project and can see the value of the new facility as an industrial incubator, supporting rapid advancements in manufacturing and developing cutting-edge skills for Australian SMEs. “
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