Firstly, the Robert C Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) says that it will be a partner in the new federal investment to establish the institute.
"RCBI will be a key player in this partnership because our centres provide the region's manufacturers – small and large – with a unique set of offerings of shared manufacturing equipment availability, additive manufacturing expertise and 3D design technology," said Charlotte Weber, RCBI director and CEO. "With our Design Works labs in Charleston and Huntington, and our Advanced Composites Technology and Production Centre in Bridgeport, RCBI is a valuable resource for the region's business and industry to access affordable design and production options in additive manufacturing technology."
RCBI will use its education and training programmes to provide degree and certification programmes and training, Weber said. RCBI also will participate in the development of ‘cradle to career’ additive manufacturing educational programmes for college students.
At the same time, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) says that it will be also playing an important role.
SME will be involved in technology transition and dissemination, and the education and training of practitioners through the institute. The Society has been involved in the advancement of additive manufacturing technology since the mid-1980s, with its Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing Community and as the organiser of the RAPID – Additive Manufacturing Solutions event. The next RAPID – Additive Manufacturing Solutions event will be held in Pittsburgh, USA, from 10-12 June 2013.
“Through the technical expertise and passion of its members, SME has helped to move this technology forward,” said Debbie Holton, SME director of industry strategy and events. “SME’s core purpose is to share manufacturing knowledge, and we look forward to supporting the NAMII by communicating the discoveries and capabilities of the institute and attracting industry support and participation.”
AM specialist Stratasys has also been selected as part of a team of leaders to help develop the new additive manufacturing institute in Ohio.
"The competitiveness of our country depends on new technologies, such as additive manufacturing," said Jeff DeGrange, vice president of direct digital manufacturing for Stratasys. "This new institute will accelerate development of additive manufacturing technologies to benefit US competitiveness."
