GE Additive Education: five universities named as recipients of metal AM systems
Just weeks after GE Additive announced the 600+ primary and secondary schools awarded with 3D printing packages as part of its Additive Education Program (AEP), the company has announced the universities that will be receiving industrial metal additive manufacturing systems from it. The announcement marks the conclusion of GE Additive’s 2018/19 cycle of the AEP.
Out of over 500 applicants, five universities from across the U.S. and Europe were named as recipients of a Concept Laser Mlab 200R direct metal laser melting (DMLM) machine. The winners include the Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Germany, the University of Limerick in Ireland, Calhoun Community College in Alabama, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and West Virginia University.
The five lucky schools will receive their new metal AM systems (worth over $1.25 million in total) in the first quarter of 2019. The Concept Laser Mlab 200R, released in 2017, relies on powerful lasers to precisely melt layers of metal powder to build up parts. The compact machine comes with a modular system for three different build volumes and is compatible with a range of metal materials.
“For additive to fulfill its potential, we need to attract as many engineers and materials scientists as possible to build their careers in our industry,” commented Jason Oliver, President & CEO of GE Additive. “Getting machines onto campus and into the the hands of undergraduates, researchers and faculty members is a sure fire way of getting them as excited about additive as we are.”
One of the winning universities offered a comment on being selected as an AEP recipient. “I am thrilled that Calhoun is one of the recipients of a metal printer,” said Nina Bullock, the program coordinator for additive manufacturing, architectural and engineering design at Calhoun Community College. “We are the only community college in the state of Alabama that offers a degree in additive manufacturing. This machine will really help advance our program.”
GE first launched its Additive Education Program last year when it announced its commitment to invest $10 million over the next five years to integrate 3D printing in school and universities. Having wrapped up its second year of the AEP, GE says it has provided 3D printer hardware and curriculum to over 1,000 primary and secondary schools and metal AM systems to a total of 13 colleges and universities. The global program is said to have benefited over 400,000 students across the 50 U.S. states and over 30 countries.
We’ll be eager to see what research and projects come out of the five colleges and universities when they receive their industrial metal 3D printing systems next year.
