RCBI Expands Capabilities With Advanced 3-D Metal Printer
West Virginia’s leadership in the area of 3-D printing took another major step forward recently. The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing announced May 9 that it has a new, leading-edge 3-D metal printer, which is one of the most advanced in the region. The $750,000 printer is located at the RCBI Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center on the Marshall University South Charleston campus. It is available thanks to a public/private partnership that involves the U.S. Navy, ATK, Marshall University and RCBI. RCBI’s Direct Metal Laser-Sintering e-manufacturing system and allows businesses, entrepreneurs and manufacturers to produce end-use metal parts and tooling. Among those participating in the announcement event were U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, Marshall University President Stephen Kopp, W.Va. Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette and RCBI’s Director Charlotte Weber.
The 3-D metal printer creates products from different powdered metals, including titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, maraging steel, cobalt chrome and inconel (a high nickel alloy). RCBI also has a variety of other 3-D printers available for use by businesses, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Click here to read more.