Welcome to the Creative Design and Additive Manufacturing Lab The Creative Design and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory aims to significantly alter the way additive manufacturing (AM) is implemented in industry, changing it from predominantly being a prototyping method to a true, high-value manufacturing method. The Lab's main focus is on design for AM, new ways of developing and thinking about AM materials, and AM technologies and design methods. AM is not simply a replacement manufacturing technology to make conventionally designed parts. Instead, it can be used to add great value to products. But, for this to occur, users must change their design approach to be AM-centric right from the start of the project. Working with AM requires a new design-thinking approach that can add great innovation to products. We will provide the knowledge and education required to increase the industrial adoption of AM in NZ, help to initiate innovative start-up and spin-off companies, and promote the entrepreneurial drive that helps NZ compete internationally. But, most importantly, we will make the creative application of AM not only valuable but also fun! ![]() |
"For innovation, you need to be able to fail fast and fail often. With additive manufacturing, you can now fail extra fast and extra often. And that's a good thing..." |
News and Updates Engineering NZ 2021 ENVI AWARD WINNER: Engineering Creativity Award (sponsored by HEB) for "Life in plastic, it's fantastic: 3D printed anatomical models". These incredible world-first 3D printed full-colour anatomical visualisation tools represent true science – and double as beautiful works of art. Professor Olaf Diegel and his team have created an exemplar of how engineering is integral to every industry and play an important role in the global medical community. The highly accurate models are made from combinations of clear and coloured material, reproducing anatomical models in stunning levels of detail with every bone, organ and vein visible. The judges said “this has the potential to have a massive impact on higher medical research and future surgical training – in both Aotearoa and the rest of the world.” |
COVID contribution * COVID-19 3D Printing help offer. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.* * COVID-19 Laser cut face shield. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS * * COVID-19 Sterilization 3D printed face field. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS * * COVID-19 Freehand emergency ventilator. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS * |
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We encourage you to come into the Lab to ask questions and to explore ways in which AM can benefit you. The Lab currently has 4 permanent staff members, all researchers:
Student Researchers:
And a number of Master's students. Feel free to contact any of us for help with your projects. |
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Topics covered in the training include the consolidation of many parts into one and methods to reduce material and weight, such as topology optimization and lattice/mesh structures. It also covers ways to reduce expensive support material to minimize pre- and post-processing of parts. The courses can include design considerations pertinent to all methods of polymer and metal AM and include many best practices and DfAM guidelines. Participants will gain valuable, hands-on experience by designing industrial parts and building them on AM equipment during the course. We have been involved in courses at NASA, Wohlers Associates, Materialise, Siemens, Volvo, Alfa Laval, the NZ Defence Force, and many more. Click HERE for a sample 2-day course outline. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your AM education requirements.
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Physical address: Enter at Gate 3, where University Security staff will raise the boom after you press the intercome button. Park in any visitor parking spot and register your vehicle using the e-kiosk at reception. Email: olaf.diegel@auckland.ac.nz
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