America Makes Expands Services at UTEP Center

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – America Makes has expanded services at its satellite center based at the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP, in order to provide needed data and research to the additive manufacturing community regarding components made through 3D printing.

America Makes, based in Youngstown, is the first of the Obama administration’s network of advanced manufacturing hubs formed in 2012. The organization, which advances the technology and use of additive manufacturing, signed a memorandum of understanding with UTEP and the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation on Nov. 8.

“Since our inception, America Makes has worked tirelessly to foster a highly collaborative membership community for the open exchange of additive manufacturing information and research with the singular goal of advancing our industry,” said Rob Gorham, executive director of America Makes. “Today’s announcement of our newly updated agreement with UTEP further underscores our dedication to our industry and demonstrates the ongoing success of our collaboration with UTEP and the Keck Center,” he said.

UTEP’s Keck Center is a multidisciplinary research facility focused on the use and development of additive manufacturing technologies with a primary focus on engineered and structured materials, as well as advanced additive manufacturing applications.

“This new arrangement with America Makes benefits all parties,” said Ryan Wicker, director and founder of the Keck Center. “Members will be able to utilize our state-of-the art equipment and generate significant data that can in turn assist our industry in determining how best to use 3D printing for designing and producing next-generation products.”

The Keck Center is equipped with more than 50 additive manufacturing machines, as well as more than 50 involved faculty, students and researchers. The work there has led to partnerships and collaborations that have led to new discoveries in 3D printed electronics, aerospace and satellite components, biomedical implants, human augmentation and future energy systems.

“The Keck Center’s ongoing dedication to advancing additive manufacturing and all of the supporting technologies and creating a skilled workforce aligns perfectly with the mission of America Makes,” said Ralph Resnick, America Makes’ founding director and president and CEO of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, which manages America Makes.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.