Acquisition of Metal 3D Printer Equipment for Additive Manufacturing Research
Abstract
The overarching goal of this proposed project is to enable the Engineering and Engineering Technology programs at Virginia State University (VSU) acquire a metal three dimensional (3D) printer machine that enable production of metal parts. The machine will enhance the capabilities of faculty researchers at VSU to produce highly complex features and all-in-one assemblies using metal materials that would be difficult to achieve with subtractive manufacturing techniques. The main objectives of the acquisition are to: 1) significantly enhance VSUÕs current research capability in additive manufacturing; 2) support and improve the quality of education across STEM programs at VSU; 3) enhance enrollment of engineering and engineering technology programs; 4) increase the number of graduates in the engineering and the engineering technology programs at VSU, and 5) build new research capability in development of advanced manufacturing technology desired by ARO, ONR, and AFOSR. Virginia State University is an HBCU minority-serving institution with Engineering, Science and Engineering Technology undergraduate and graduate programs. The College of Engineering and Technology at VSU has active external research collaborations with member industries and higher education institutions of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM). CCAM is an applied research center that bridges the gap between fundamental research typically performed at universities and product development routinely performed by companies. As member, VSUÕs researchers are engaged in the acceleration and transition of research innovation from the laboratory to commercial use. Development of additive manufacturing research and training will enhance such engagements as well as collaboration among faculty members in STEM fields. The proposed instrument will be shared with CCAM engineers and faculty from the other four CCAM member universities as external collaborators. The proposed equipment will enhance our existing advanced manufacturing laboratory, which hosts a 5-axis high-speed machining center, a 3-axis CNC mini mill, a CNC lathe, a CMM, an SEM, and a CT Scanner. The equipment will enrich VSUÕs research activities in additive manufacturing, surface engineering, friction stir welding, thermal spray coating, nanomanufacturing, machining, and cyber manufacturing. Furthermore, the instrument will be utilized to promote both graduate and undergraduate students researches as well as support educational trainings at VSU. The equipment will augment existing additive manufacturing engineering lab and will help to initiate new graduate level academic track within the field of engineering at VSU. Therefore, acquisition of the proposed instrument is expected to lead significant advances and expand the current scope of research and education at VSU. It will provide hands-on research and educational training to over seven hundred students in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Electronics Engineering Technology programs at VSU. Bringing together multi-disciplinary teams from the science, engineering, and technology at VSU, we will be able to expand the opportunity to cultivate the next generation smart manufacturing engineers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110165
Entities
People
- Dawit Haile
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Virginia State University