The Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL) played host to industry and academic leaders in the field of additive manufacturing (AM). On the first night of the 2018 AM Symposium, CAMAL treated their guests to a tour their world-class additive manufacturing laboratory and unveiled their new 3D laser printer which was only one of eight that GE donated to universities around the world.
The GE Additive Education Program
To help speed up the adoption of worldwide additive manufacturing, GE established the Additive Education Program (AEP). They have invested millions to develop pipelines of future talent in additive manufacturing by donating eight Concept Laser Mlab cusing 100R metal printing machines to worthy universities.
The new 3D printer, valued at $250,000 is the ideal machine for manufacturing parts with delicate structures, and it expands the range of materials to titanium and titanium alloys.
The Symposium
This event was a critical step in promoting the kind of innovative research in additive manufacturing that is being done at NC State as well as listening to industry needs. The symposium gave CAMAL researchers the opportunity to have detailed conversations about the kind of research that industry feels is important and what role CAMAL can play in solving these important problems.
Along with a who’s who of industry and academic speakers, three world-renowned experts were keynote speakers for the symposium. Dr. Dave Bourell, the University of Texas at Austin, is the Temple Foundation Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Freeform Fabrication. Dr. Bourell address was a detailed overview of additive manufacturing.
Dr. Rickard Branemark, Co-director of the International Center for Osseointegration Research, was the lead surgeon on the first team to implant muscle and nerve electrodes in an amputee with an osseointegrated implant in 2013. Dr. Branemark spoke about his experience using osseointegration and natural control strategies for amputation prostheses.
Dr. Kirk Rogers is the Technology Leader at the GE Additive Customer Experience Center (CeC) in Pittsburgh. He addressed additive’s bright future in the manufacturing industry.
During the symposium participants were treated to student demonstrations of the lab’s capabilities and information about their research projects.
Over 100 people attended the symposium and attendees included academics, along with representatives of companies that make additive manufacturing equipment and manufacturers that are using 3-D and additive processes.