Arizona State Polytechnic campus
Arizona State University Polytechnic campus
The largest additive manufacturing research facility in the Southwest of America has been launched at Arizona State University, with the help of Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies, Concept Laser and Honeywell Aerospace.
A 15,00 square foot centre located on the Polytechnic campus, it holds over $2 million of plastic, polymer and 3D metal printing equipment. ASU’s Polytechnic School offers the only manufacturing engineering undergraduate degree in the Arizona state. It is also one of 22 ABET accredited manufacturing engineering programmes in the United States.
The lab has a Concept Laser M2 cusing and Mlab cusing machine which are dedicated to 3D metal printing. These technologies will be used as part of a wide range of research and development activities including materials development and prototyping complex mechanical and energy systems.
“Changing the future of metal additive manufacturing begins with educated teachers and curious students,” said John Murray, President and CEO of US-based subsidiary Concept Laser. “The educational leadership that the ASU Polytechnic School provides to the southwest region and the industry will certainly be impactful. Concept Laser is proud to be a partner in this initiative.”
Accelerating additive manufacturing in the southwest region has been a mutual target of all the partners involved in the launch of this additive manufacturing research facility. Rey Chu, Principal, Manufacturing Technologies at PADT believes with Honeywell’s and Concept Laser’s expertise, as well as ASU’s standards of teaching, the facility will be a great success.
“This partnership is the next and obvious step in the progression of additive manufacturing in the southwest,” said Chu. “With Concept Laser’s outstanding technology, Honeywell’s leadership in applying additive manufacturing to practical aerospace needs, PADT’s extensive network of customers and industry experience, and ASU’s proven ability to educate and work with industry, the effort will establish a strong foundation for the entire regional ecosystem.”
The ASU Polytechnic School will be hosting an open house to celebrate the launch of their new Manufacturing Research and Innovation Hub on Wednesday January 18th from 9am local time. There will be guided tours showcasing a range of student projects, while representatives of Honeywell, Concept Laser and PADT will all be in attendance. Ann McKenna, Director of ASU’s Polytechnic School has welcomed the contributions of these partners and believes the new facility gives the school an edge.
“Partnering with these industry leaders provides us the capability to do additional research and enhance our education programmes,” said McKenna. “With so few of these types of centres, this makes ASU more attractive among academic partners, federal agencies and corporations to advance additive manufacturing.”
