New high-temp furnace advances YSU's additive research, industry capabiities

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State University’s Center for Innovation in Additive Manufacturing keeps growing in its teaching, research and industry capabilities.

A high-temperature sintering furnace has been added to the lab in Moser Hall. The furnace allows final processing of objects created on the lab’s 3-D printers.

The furnace, which reaches temperatures as high as 4,712 degrees Fahrenheit, enables students and other researchers to sinter harder materials that require higher heat — especially ceramics and some metals. Because of its size, it also allows sintering of not only larger parts but more parts simultaneously.

“Applications would be machine tooling, armor, high-temperature refractory materials, the aerospace industry for rocket nozzles,” said Brett Conner, director of advanced manufacturing and workforce initiatives at YSU and an associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering.

As additive manufacturing is an evolving industry, other equipment could be added.

YSU was the second university in the world with the equipment installed and operating.

Read more about the program in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.