Technology

Flinders University to assist AML3D in validating wire arc 3D printed alloys for new applications

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By Lorna Nicholas - 
AML3D ASX AL3 Flinders University wire arc 3D printed alloys

AML3D和Flinders University的研究预计将为该制造技术的潜在应用提供进一步的信息。

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Additive manufacturing technology company AML3D (ASX: AL3) has teamed up with South Australia’s Flinders University to evaluate and validate qualities of AML3D’s wire arc 3D printed metal alloys.

Via the partnership with Flinders’ College of Science and Engineering, the duo will assess the microstructure and corrosion qualities of metal alloys manufactured using AML3D’s technology.

Heading up the research are professors Jamie Quinton and Sarah Harmer with the results expected to provide more information on potential applications for AML3D’s wire arc metal (WAM) products.

AML3D managing director Andrew Sales said the partnership will provide further evidence of the “superiority” of the company’s WAM 3D printed parts compared to traditional manufacturing processes.

“The company has a strong sales pipeline ahead, and certification of our technology from third parties is crucial to driving uptake of our products,” he added.

Australian defence precincts

Commenting on the partnership Professor Quinton noted South Australia’s capital Adelaide was home to three dedicated defence industry precincts, plus the Australian Space Agency and the Space Discovery Centre.

He said validation of AML3D’s products will “directly benefit” the state’s defence and aerospace industries.

Other research collaborations

This research partnership with Flinders follows work with the CSIRO which aims to develop a material strength prediction tool for AML3D’s WAMSoft software and “highlights the market-leading nature” of the technology.

The company is also collaborating with PhD student Alex Kingsbury from Melbourne’s RMIT University to investigate wire arc additive manufacturing of aluminium alloys.

Ms Kingsbury is assessing different aluminium alloy compositions designed for the wire arc process.

Additionally, AML3D technical engineering manager Dr Paul Colegrove and Ms Kingsbury are supervising final year engineering students’ capstone project which is exploring the potential of WAM in automotive applications.

Under the project, the students will test and characterise WAM samples and identify automotive parts suitable for the process.

They will then redesign the parts to take advantage of the “unique benefits” of AML3D’s manufacturing technology.