RCBI part of nation's first additive manufacturing innovation in - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

RCBI part of nation's first additive manufacturing innovation institute

Posted: Updated:

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Family escapes fire in East Bank

    Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:18:28 GMT
    Three people were inside this burning home but managed to get out safely.
    Firefighters are battling a massive fire in East Bank in Kanawha County. A house on Walnut Street went up in flames around 5:15 a.m. Firefighters said two people were home at the time but managed to
    Three escape massive fire in a home on Walnut Street in Kanawha County

The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing will be a partner in a new federal investment that will establish the nation's first Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute under the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.

The new initiative was announced Thursday in Youngstown, Ohio. It will receive $30 million in federal funds to connect industry, universities, community colleges, federal agencies and states to jumpstart manufacturing innovation and foster economic growth.

The institute is to accelerate the development, integration, evaluation and exploitation of efficient/rapid/flexible additive manufacturing technology for commercial manufacturing. Its partners will conduct outreach to businesses for the open exchange of additive manufacturing information, design tools, shared manufacturing equipment options, demonstration, process improvement and energy/cost efficiency.

"RCBI will be a key player in this partnership because our centers provide the region's manufacturers – small and large – with a unique set of offerings of shared manufacturing equipment availability, additive manufacturing expertise and 3D design technology," said Charlotte Weber, RCBI director and CEO. "With our Design Works labs in Charleston and Huntington and our Advanced Composites Technology & Production Center in Bridgeport, RCBI is a valuable resource for the region's business and industry to access affordable design and production options in additive manufacturing technology."

RCBI will leverage its extensive education and training programs to provide degree and certification programs, workforce training and on-the-job training that are specific to additive manufacturing, Weber said. RCBI also will participate in the development of "cradle to career" additive manufacturing educational programs for STEM students K-12 through college.
In addition to RCBI, West Virginia is represented by other partners. They include FMW Composite Systems of Bridgeport and Touchstone Research Laboratory in Triadelphia. All involved will work closely with the National Energy Technology Lab in Morgantown.
Marshall University President Stephen Kopp said, "The proven expertise of RCBI and the resources that this grant will provide are a powerful combination in terms of promoting the development of innovative and expansive applications of additive manufacturing technology.

"RCBI and Marshall have a rich history of strong collaborations that have advanced business solutions, which have fostered businesses growth and economic development. The new opportunities provided by RCBI's additive manufacturing technology capabilities continue to fuel our robust partnership and inspire tremendous pride."