Research into the use of different metals in 3D printing will be the focus of a new collaborative centre (w/video)

(Nanowerk News) RMIT University and Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences will build 3D metal printing research and development centres in their respective home cities.
Chongqing is one of the four major cities under the direct administration of the Central Government of China and has a population of nearly 30 million.
It is China's third largest centre for motor vehicle production, the largest centre for motorcycles and one of the country's advanced manufacturing centres.
Minister of Chongqing Science and Technology Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor Zhong Zhihua, and Deputy Mayor of Chongqing, Wu Gang, with Professor Ma Qian at RMIT’s 3D printing research and development centre.
The city's Science and Technology Committee supports the new research centre and strategic partnership with RMIT.
Dr Martin Leary explains how 3D printing works.
Professor Ma Qian from RMIT's School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and Design Research Institute is Deputy Director of the new Centre for Additive Manufacturing at RMIT.
Professor Qian, who is also a Professor of Design, Multifunctional Structures, at RMIT, said the Melbourne centre would be based at RMIT's Advanced Manufacturing Precinct (AMP).
"RMIT has invested more than $25 million on the establishment of the AMP, and the centre for Additive Manufacturing is the latest innovation to be housed there," he said.
"3D printing is a revolutionary manufacturing technology used for making structural and/or functional metal components for all industries, including metal implants in human bodies.
"Chongqing will establish its own centre in time, but for now its researchers will use RMIT's Centre for Additive Manufacturing as the key research node."
The centre is expected to attract Higher Degree by Research (HDR) research students as well as Australian and Chinese industry partners.
The University has already had support from industry, with Dien Technology of Chongqing supporting an RMIT-led Australian Research Council Linkage grant for further investigation of the use of titanium in advanced manufacturing.
Source: RMIT University