UniSA opens advanced manufacturing facility

The University of South Australia (UniSA) has opened a new advanced manufacturing facility and revealed significant industry investment in four space research projects under the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, attracting more than $18 million in funding.

SA Deputy Premier Susan Close officially opened the Advanced Manufacturing Metal 3D printing facility, located at Stärke-AMG group’s VPG Innovation, in Adelaide’s Camden Park. The facility will support the industry with rapid 3D printing of metals for space structures, housing machines capable of printing titanium and nickel alloys that are crucial in space technologies.

“As we transition from resource-intensive manufacturing to more research-driven and energy-efficient processes, we will produce more high-value products,” Close said. “This 3D printing technology makes it possible to rapidly manufacture custom-made parts and other space infrastructure that can save businesses time and cost.

“The facility will support a world-class sovereign manufacturing capability that will create new jobs and lead to global exports within the space industry. It will add to our state’s competitive manufacturing advantage and will fill a critical gap in the burgeoning space sector.”

UniSA iLAuNCH lead Industry Professor Colin Hall said the SA projects represent a real opportunity for Australia to expand and develop its space engineering ecosystem.

“Through collaboration and innovation, we will demonstrate how space-capable technologies can inspire the next generation of space engineers and realise a commercial outcome in this sector,” he said.

The first four UniSA projects that have been announced under the iLAuNCH program include:

• Additive manufacture of space components using electron beam melting: Industry Partners: VPG Innovation, a part of Stärke-AMG.
• Additive manufacture of materials for optical components and satellite sub-assemblies: Industry Partners: SMR Automotive Australia and VPG Innovation.
• Development of an AI/ML-enabled space surveillance system for hypersonic missile defence: Industry Partners: Northrop Grumman and Spiral Blue.
• Development of a radioisotope heating unit (RHU), supporting a thermal management for lunar night survival: Industry Partners: entX.
   

Additional projects in areas such as Earth observation and optical communication will be announced in coming weeks.

iLAuNCH Executive Director Darin Lovett said the Trailblazer program takes domestic space collaboration to a new level.

“South Australia is primed to launch into a trillion-dollar global space ecosystem,” he said. “To seize the opportunity, we are focused on commercialising our world-class space technology through collaboration and focused effort.”

Backed by $50 million from the federal government’s Trailblazer Universities Program, and further supported by a cumulative investment of $180 million in industry research, commercialisation and manufacturing, the program focuses on developing commercially viable civil rockets, advanced rocket test and launch facilities, rapid satellite manufacturing, cutting-edge communication technologies and integrated sensing systems.

Image: UniSA Industry Professor Colin Hall at UniSA’s iLAuNCH event.