YSU and YBI help manufacturers take advantage of hybrid manufacturing

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Building upon its recent success securing funding to promote the use of additive manufacturing for the metal-casting industry, Youngstown State University and the Youngstown Business Incubator are collaborating to help manufacturers take advantage of precision metal parts fabricated using additive manufacturing and conventional post-processing technologies.

This combination of advanced and traditional manufacturing technologies is known as hybrid manufacturing.

Hybrid manufacturing allows companies to rapidly produce metal parts that have the surface finish and precision that traditional processes offer, eliminate the need for expensive fixtures and tooling and develop a readily deployable hybrid technique that partners can implement with little or no modifications to their existing capabilities.

The project work plan includes demonstration of precision hybrid techniques; education and training on how to design parts to take advantage of AM; selection of materials and machinery; cost-benefits analysis; and commercialization of AM-made precision printed parts.

The partnership will be submitting a proposal to the Ohio Third Frontier Commission for funding at the end of this month.

Manufacturing companies interested in learning more about how metal printing can benefit them are encouraged to attend a meeting at YBI from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14.

RSVPs are required and can be made to bhousel@ybi.org.