---
title: "Austal, Curtin University and AMCRC launch $600,000 additive manufacturing framework"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/austal-curtin-university-and-amcrc-launch-600000-additive-manufacturing-framework/
date: 2026-06-28
modified: 2026-06-26
lang: en
author: "Joseph Caron-Dawe"
description: "Australian shipbuilder Austal, Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) have commenced a $600,000 collaborative research project aimed at building a systematic framework for assessing additive manufacturing..."
categories:
  - "AM Industry"
  - "Defense"
  - "Maritime Industry"
tags:
  - "insights"
image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Austal_CoE_AMCRC-Project2.jpeg
word_count: 365
---

# Austal, Curtin University and AMCRC launch $600,000 additive manufacturing framework

[Australian shipbuilder Austal](https://www.voxelmatters.com/austal-3d-printed-maritime-crane-receives-verification-from-industry-body/), Curtin University and the [Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/amcrc-funds-first-five-core-research-projects-with-au11-million/) have commenced a $600,000 collaborative research project aimed at building a systematic framework for assessing additive manufacturing opportunities across Australia's maritime and defense supply chains.

The 18-month project responds to a longstanding industry problem: despite growing global investment in additive manufacturing, manufacturers have lacked a consistent methodology for determining where the technology delivers genuine commercial and operational advantage in the construction, support and operation of naval vessels. 

The framework under development will provide a repeatable process for evaluating potentially thousands of components against operational, commercial, technical and regulatory criteria.

## From case-by-case to systematic

For Austal, the project marks a shift away from evaluating additive manufacturing on an individual use-case basis toward a structured, organization-wide approach for identifying where the technology can reduce lead times and strengthen supply chain resilience. The company will draw on its experience as prime contractor for the United States Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, feeding global operational data into the research.

![Austal Backs Framework to Accelerate Additive Manufacturing for Australia’s Maritime and Defence Industry](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Austal_CoE_AMCRC-Project1-340x227.jpeg)

“The challenge is no longer whether additive manufacturing works. The challenge is knowing where it delivers the greatest value,” said Sam Abbott, Head of Research and Development at Austal. “This framework will help us quantify the demand for additive manufacturing across maritime and defense programs, allowing industry to make better investment decisions, build more resilient supply chains and accelerate the uplift of Australia's advanced manufacturing capabilities.”

Curtin University will lead framework development and validation, using real-world vessel and supply chain data to ensure outputs are commercially applicable.

“By combining engineering, operational and commercial considerations into a single framework, we can help manufacturers make faster, more informed decisions about where additive manufacturing can deliver measurable benefits,” said Dr. Karl Davidson, Research Lead at Curtin University.

## Broader application beyond defense

AMCRC stated the framework is expected to serve as a repeatable model adaptable across other manufacturing sectors beyond maritime and defense.

“Many organizations understand the potential of additive manufacturing, but struggle to determine where it makes commercial and operational sense,” said Simon Marriott, Managing Director of AMCRC. 

“This project will deliver a practical solution that helps industry identify high-value opportunities, prioritize investment and build confidence to scale adoption.”