The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and Center Street Technologies (CST) announce the award of more than $9.4M in funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Manufacturing and Industrial Base Technology Division for a joint, two-year effort to support the Massive Area Additive Manufacturing (MAAM) Program.
The announcement was made by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13) at CST’s Youngstown facility. The funding was part of the FY 2020 federal appropriations bill and spearheaded by Congressman Ryan, who sits on the Defense Subcommittee of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Furthering the MAAM technology will lead to its commercialization and the creation of local high-paying jobs in Youngstown and the Northeast Ohio region.
“I am proud to have been able to use my position on the Defense Appropriations Committee to secure this important funding for our community,” says Congressman Ryan. “Additive manufacturing is transforming every sector of our national economy and it is clear that Ohio, NCDMM’s America Makes, and Center Street Technologies are leading the way. This funding will be instrumental in expanding our manufacturing base and growing good paying manufacturing jobs here at home.”
CST unveiled a large additive manufacturing machine, MAAM, earlier this year. It was developed for the production of large parts for industrial usage in such commercial markets as automotive, energy, construction/civil engineering and maritime. The MAAM system’s ability to produce and deliver massive scale, high-value products is of particular interest to AFRL and the Department of Defense (DoD), the organizations report. The long-term plan is for the MAAM system to be located within the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
“Center Street Technologies is extremely grateful and humbled by the support Congressman Ryan has provided,” says Mike Garvey, CST president and CEO. “This funding will be used to catalyze broad scale commercial adoption of leading-edge advanced manufacturing technologies developed in Youngstown, Ohio, by folks from Youngstown. Together with NCDMM, we intend to make this project a historical event so that when future generations look back on the community’s prosperity, they will directly land on these types of projects Congressman Ryan supported and nurtured.”
NCDMM established a presence in Youngstown in 2012 when it brought one of its most successful programs to date, America Makes, to the city. Under NCDMM’s management, America Makes, as the DoD’s additive manufacturing innovation institute, has become a recognized voice of the industry, making the city of Youngstown synonymous with additive manufacturing, the organizations report.
“Congressman Ryan has worked tirelessly to revitalize Youngtown’s and the Northeast Ohio region’s manufacturing sector,” says Randy Gilmore, NCDMM VP and chief development officer. “He understands the transformative economic potential that advanced manufacturing technologies like additive bring in the form of new companies, innovative products, and positions for skilled workers. With AFRL’s funding, NCDMM’s advance manufacturing expertise, and Center Street Technologies’ one-of-a-kind system, the MAAM Program is poised to make a significant positive impact on Youngstown, Northeast Ohio, the commercial industrial sector, the defense industry, and our nation’s military readiness.”
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.
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