Firm’s future in fine print
GEELONG tech pioneer Conflux Technology has locked in a deal to represent the world’s leading industrial 3D printing technology supplier as it starts to grow its Australian market.
Based at Deakin University’s advanced manufacturing hub Manufutures, Conflux Technology has become the Australian and New Zealand agent for EOS, a leader in industrial 3D printing of metals and polymers, also known as additive manufacturing.
Conflux designs thermal engineering solutions that can only be made using its additive manufacturing heat exchanger, which is patented in 12 countries.
EOS Group chairman and chief executive Hans Langer said the company chose Conflux as it was a strong local technology partner with in-depth industrial 3D printing know-how.
“We have observed an increased appetite for industrial 3D printing technology in Australia,” Dr Langer said.
“The technology is substantially changing the way we design and manufacture parts, enabling applications that weren’t thinkable before.
“In Australia, we currently see the biggest potential for industrial 3D printing in industries such as mining, aerospace, medical and transportation.”
Conflux uses additive manufacturing technology to make high-performance thermal and fluid applications to the local and global markets.
Chief executive Michael Fuller said EOS had seen the opportunity to develop the Australia and New Zealand markets in collaboration with his team, which had extensive experience in aerospace, defence and motorsport industries.
The emerging additive manufacturing business has put on four people this year, with plans for three more, after receiving a $1 million grant under the Federal Government’s regional jobs and investment package.
With key personnel in place and having proven its concept, it is positioned to grow with its current clients including F1 racing teams.
“F1 is an early adopter-type industry, they take new technologies and explore them in lower risk situation,” said Mr Fuller, who was a F1 design engineer.
“We adapt and make something specific, and they want it changed for a specific modification for their car, and the cars will change throughout the year.”
Automotive and motorsports clients are a target market alongside aerospace and industrial clients involved in oil, gas or chemical processing.
“We can take our design and adapt it to different requirements and different sizes,” Mr Fuller said.
He said he had also met a major aeronautics company that was keen to separate its technology development partners from its existing manufacturing supply chain.
Conflux can create a packaged solution involving design and the detailed 3D printing instructions for manufacture.
“That’s the way that it’s going to be moving forward,” he said. “The value of Conflux is in our ability to design and to do multiphysics modelling, provide solutions to the customers and certify the package of the solution.”
Mr Fuller said he set up in Geelong to be part of the recovery from Ford and Alcoa’s withdrawal from manufacturing.
“There is heaps of potential, the resource here is huge,” he said.
He said being based at Manufutures, to which he moved into in March, meant the business had relationships at various points across the university.
“We use people and they use us,” he said.