Sydney’s $25M “factory of the future” to drive advanced manufacturing

A new $25 million manufacturing facility is set to drive NSW’s advanced manufacturing industry, as it launched in the heart of Sydney’s Tech Central.

Located in University of Sydney’s Engineering campus, the Sydney Manufacturing Hub is a new manufacturing-focussed research facility that will work alongside industry to deliver cutting-edge R&D in additive manufacturing and materials processing.

Director of the University of Sydney’s Core Research Facilities Professor Simon Ringer said the Sydney Manufacturing Hub would drive the state’s ‘Industry 5.0’ revolution.

“Advanced manufacturing is making the previously impossible possible,” Professor Ringer said.

“Key industries will benefit from these technologies through the reduction of material waste, simplified supply chains, and an independent capacity to create materials, components and even whole machines – all of which weren’t possible using traditional manufacturing,” he said.

The Sydney Manufacturing Hub is geared to allow concept-to-production demonstration capabilities, including advanced pre- and post-processing of materials for faculty, students, small and medium-sized companies, and, if needed, larger companies to experience and leverage metal 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) and advanced manufacturing – often for the first time.

The research facility provides capabilities for design, 3D printing of metals, ceramics and polymers, as well as post-processing heat treatment, advanced characterisation and other advanced manufacturing technologies crucial for developing the industries of the future.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry the Hon Stuart Ayres said advanced and additive manufacturing (AM) will drive innovation in the state.

“The concept of modern and additive manufacturing, rather than deductive manufacturing, is completely changing the opportunities that are available to Australians,” the minister said.

The research facility places Sydney at the centre of a new skills based development and puts the gears in motion for the state’s advanced ‘Industry 5.0’ output.

Source: The University of Sydney