Konica Minolta enters a partnership with Western Sydney University (WSU) to build digital manufacturing capabilities, including 3D print, for WSU research staff and students, and the Western Sydney community.
Many manufacturers are looking at digital manufacturing as a way to remain competitive and meet changing customer expectations; 3D printing is an important part of the process, and is predicted to be a big growth area within industrial print.
A recent Smithers Pira report places the value of the professional 3D printing market output at US$21.4 billion in 2022 as applications broaden, representing an annual growth rate of 12.3 per cent for the five-year period.
There has been some use of 3D printing within the Australian industry, particularly in the Point of Purchase segment of signage.
Konica Minolta says it will support WSU’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics as it explores the possibilities of cutting-edge digital manufacturing capabilities with the commissioning of the 3D SYSTEMS ProX 300 DMP Metal Printer.
“3D metal printing opens up opportunities to not only explore faster, more reliable, precise metal manufacturing, previously impossible, for engineers, researchers and businesses, but also the ability to transform their business operations and reach new markets.”
The ProX DMP 300 is a high-performance, high-quality metal 3D printed part manufacturing system, offering reduced waste, greater speeds for production, short set up times, dense metal parts, and the ability to produce complex assemblies as a single part.
Marc Brandon, 3D Printing product marketing manager, Konica Minolta, says, “The construction of this new landmark advanced manufacturing facility, combined with our exciting new partnership with WSU that delivers cutting edge 3D metal printing, marks a new and promising era for WSU, the Western Sydney community, and beyond.
“Konica Minolta is excited to partner with WSU to ensure leading researchers, educators and engineers within the community can leverage the capabilities this game-changing 3D metal part manufacturing system offers to its full potential.”
Dr Tosin Famakinwa, technical manager, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, WSU, says, “Western Sydney University is happy to partner with Konica Minolta in making available this 3D metal printer to the community and for the training of the future Western Sydney workforce. Additionally, this method also has the ability to improve energy productivity —all while creating high-impact job opportunities locally for the manufacturing community.”
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