The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) will be ba sed in Melbourne, with other nodes around Australia. It will focus on researching and developing additive manufacturing processes, developing automated and supportive technologies and high-quality products and, finally, transferring the technology to industry.

The o nly Germany R&D organization participating, Fraunhofer ILT will play a role in two IMCRC research areas. These include additive manufacturing of 3-D multimaterial systems and components, as well as expanding application areas, particularly in electrical engineering (microphones) and medical technology (implants). Fraunhofer ILT said it will provide a major share of the personnel, plant and system technology, and will receive direct funding from Australia.

The project’s total budget a bout 250 million Australian dollars ($194 million), co nsisting of AU$40 million in government funding and another AU$210 million in co ntributions from industry, according to IMCRC interim Chairman Peter Jonson.

The initiative includes 18 internatio nal manufacturing companies, including SLM Solutions GmbH, Røde Micropho nes and Stryker Corp. More companies are set to join in the next few years. In addition, 16 internatio nal universities and research institutions are participating alo ngside Australian universities, such as RMIT University – which has had a close partnership with Fraunhofer ILT for many years – and the Commo nwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).