State awards more than $500,000 to YSU

COLUMBUS

The state Controlling Board released more than $500,000 Monday for equipment and building improvements at Youngstown State University.

A total of $298,773 will go toward the purchase equipment used for three-dimensional printing or rapid prototyping. The list includes a “vacuum sintering furnace,” 3-D scanner and printer and laser cutter, according to documents.

YSU is working with the Eastern Gateway Community College, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Choffin Career and Technical Center, Kent State University, Cleveland State University and the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition on related education and training programs.

According to documents, rapid prototyping or “additive manufacturing, … is a rapidly emerging field and is a process by where a metal, ceramic or other material physical part is built layer-by-layer through a variety of techniques and with a very specialized equipment. … This equipment will support not only the educational needs of students at all levels but will also be used by industry for training and retaining workers.”

The lawmaker panel also OK’d $255,471 for roof renovations at YSU’s Edmund J. Salata Complex, which houses the university’s facilities and grounds departments, mailroom and print shop.