en.Wedoany.com Reported - Austal, in collaboration with Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC), has launched a collaborative research project aimed at accelerating the application of additive manufacturing in Australia's maritime and defense sectors.
According to a press release from Austal, the 18-month, AUD 600,000 project aims to develop a practical framework to help manufacturers identify where additive manufacturing can deliver the greatest benefits in operational, commercial, and supply chain areas. Currently, additive manufacturing continues to attract investment globally, but the industry still faces challenges in determining the most valuable applications of this technology in shipbuilding, maintenance, and operations.
Under this project framework, researchers will develop an industry-ready assessment framework capable of evaluating potentially thousands of components based on operational, commercial, technical, and regulatory requirements, providing manufacturers with a consistent methodology to decide which parts are best suited for additive manufacturing. Sam Abbott, Austal's Research and Development Director, stated that the project marks a shift from isolated applications of additive manufacturing toward a more systematic approach. He noted that the challenge is no longer whether the technology is feasible, but how to identify the specific areas where it can deliver the most value; the framework will help quantify the demand for additive manufacturing in maritime and defense projects, enabling the industry to make better investment decisions, build more resilient supply chains, and accelerate the enhancement of Australia's advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The framework is designed to support more informed decision-making to reduce lead times, strengthen supply chains, and enhance Australia's sovereign manufacturing capabilities. The project will also leverage Austal's experience as the prime contractor for the U.S. Navy's Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, incorporating manufacturing data and industry insights into the research. Curtin University will be responsible for the development and validation of the framework, collaborating with industry partners and utilizing ship and supply chain data to ensure the outcomes are commercially relevant. Lead researcher Dr. Karl Davidson noted that by integrating engineering, operational, and commercial considerations into a single framework, manufacturers can make faster and more informed decisions about where additive manufacturing can deliver measurable benefits.
The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre stated that the research addresses key barriers to broader industry adoption, helping manufacturers identify the most suitable components for the technology in defense and civilian supply chains. Simon Marriott, Managing Director of AMCRC, said that many organizations recognize the potential of additive manufacturing but struggle to determine where it makes commercial and operational sense; this project will provide a practical solution to help the industry identify high-value opportunities, prioritize investments, and build confidence to scale adoption. According to Austal, the framework is also expected to be applied beyond the maritime and defense sectors, providing a repeatable model to support productivity, resilience, and competitiveness in other areas of Australian manufacturing.
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