Tressel Touts Additive Manufacturing in D.C.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — At a conference in Washington D.C. earlier this month, Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel joined U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio, and others to discuss the impact that additive manufacturing, or 3D print manufacturing, will have on the future workforce.

The event, “Is Our American Workforce Ready for 3D Print Manufacturing?” was hosted by the House Manufacturing Caucus, the Center for Public Policy Innovation and HP Inc. Tressel joined other panelists in raising awareness of the importance of investing in 3D printing and preparing the American workforce to adopt additive manufacturing.

“There is no NOW,” Tressel said. “You are either early or late.”

Along with YSU’s associate vice president for research, Mike Hripko, Tressel outlined the ways YSU intends to be “early” as a leader in additive manufacturing education, including the Mahoning Valley Innovation and Commercialization center, a collaborative workforce development, education and research center under under development at Fifth Avenue and West Commerce Street downtown. Additionally, YSU is one of two national locations with the entire spectrum of additive manufacturing technologies, according to a university release.

Pictured: (From left) Tim Heller, director 3D printing, Americas HP 3D Printing, HP Inc.; John Danko, president and chief executive of Danko Arlington; Ben Bouffard, additive manufacturing lead for the deputy assistant secretary for research, development, test and evaluation at the U.S. Department of the Navy; YSU President Jim Tressel; U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio.

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