Additive manufacturing (AM) is also known as 3D printing. It is a layer-by-layer fabrication process that provides distinct advantages in producing complex, customized, and/or low-volume, time-critical parts. AM is being used to fabricate fully functional final parts, prototypes and tooling. There are seven different categories of AM process technologies. Within those categories metal, ceramic, plastic and even biological tissues can be printed.
Youngstown State University's Center for Innovative Additive Manufacturing (CIAM) was created to advance research, education, workforce development and industry partnerships in this emerging field. CIAM is the focal point for additive manufacturing activities providing a resource for the College of STEM, but also for other academic divisions including the arts and health sciences.
CIAM has the following emphasis areas:
- Materials characterization
- Process development for materials
- Precision post-processing of printed parts
- Innovative business strategies
- Digital manufacturing thread for AM
- Design for AM
- Binder jetting: S-Max, M-Flex, X1-Lab and TevTech 2600ºC vacuum sintering furnace
- Directed energy deposition: AMBIT Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies
- Material extrusion: Fortus 250mc, Fortus 400mc (America Makes), numerous desktop printers
- Powder bed fusion: 3D Systems sPro 60 (America Makes), 3D Systems ProX 320, EOS m290 (America Makes)
- Material jetting: XJET Carmel 1400 (Jan 2018), 3D Systems Projet 3510 SD
- Vat photopolymerization: 3D Systems Projet 1200, Formlabs Form 2
- Sheet Lamination: MCor IRIS
Funding from the Ohio Board of Regents, Ohio Third Frontier and Appalachian Regional Commission will add additional capabilities during the 2014-2015 school year.
CIAM is only 1,000 steps from America Makes. This proximity enables a Youngstown area network of industrial grade 3D printing systems for research and education. As a member of America Makes, Youngstown State University's faculty and students can access equipment at America Makes such as selective laser melting printing for metals, slective laser sintering of polymers, and industrial-sized fused deposition modeling printing. Several members of CIAM are currently pursuing co-op and internship at America Makes to get hands-on training on advanced metal AM technologies.