America Makes, YSU, Humtown cut ribbon on 3-D sand printer
LEETONIA
A three-year vision met reality at Humtown Products on Tuesday morning, said Mark Lamoncha, Humtown’s president and chief executive officer.
Representatives from Humtown of Leetonia, America Makes and Youngstown State University’s President Jim Tressel cut the ribbon on a nearly $1 million 3-D sand printer that will further advance additive manufacturing in the Mahoning Valley.
Additive manufacturing – or industrial 3-D printing – is a process by which digital 3-D design data are used to build up a component in layers by depositing material.
The printer is the only one of its kind in Ohio, said Brett Conner, YSU mechanical and industrial engineering associate professor and advanced manufacturing workforce initiative director.
“However, it’s just the first – there’s more coming,” Conner said.
There are only two universities in the nation that have access to the printer – the University of Northern Iowa and YSU.
The industrial device prints large, complex sand cores or molds directly from computer-assisted design data – eliminating the need for physical pattern or tooling. The sand cores are used for metal casting.
It was purchased by YSU and America Makes with a grant from Ohio Third Frontier.
Lamoncha expressed appreciation for all of the partnerships involved in procuring the printer.
“YSU is a friend and a business partner that realizes that businesses are ultimately who receive the students, if they work hard and grow and are ready to come into the businesses,” he said. “YBI is a friend of business and instrumental in the America Makes project. I’ve never seen the level of cooperation I’ve seen between YSU, YBI and America Makes. They’ve truly worked together with great synergy.”
Conner said both the printer and the partnerships are saving jobs, creating jobs and developing economic growth across the state.
“With all the great minds we have and all the great opportunities we have, we’re going to be in great shape,” Tressel said.
In addition to housing the printer, Humtown Product’s facility contains a 40-seat, auditorium-style training room that will serve as a classroom and laboratory for engineering students from universities and community colleges in Northeast Ohio. Professors will be able to teach the American Foundry Society’s 3-D printing optimization course. Also included is an area for working with and training students and staff.