Our program for advanced manufacturing development and support boost your profitability, competitiveness, and functionality by incorporating high-tech 3D printing concepts into your operation.
Additive Tooling Acceleration
Additive tooling acceleration teaches you how – and when – to use additive manufacturing technologies to develop tooling for low-volume production. The state of Ohio provides a subsidy to reduce printing and design costs.
One case study revealed that creating a metal chute using AM resulted in a 65% reduction in cost; the next print saved 85% since the engineering costs had already been paid.
The program is funded through the Ohio Development Services Agency.
Metal Casting
Originally funded by America Makes, this cutting-edge technology is YBI’s signature program for the manufacturing sector. Partners include the University of Northern Iowa, the American Foundry Society, Humtown Products, and ExOne Company.
AM is used to print sand cores that are central to metal casting without the limitations of traditional manufacturing companies. It can optimize design for speed, energy efficiency, light-weighting, and more. You gain access to next-generation, semi-automation solutions in the manufacturing industry. YBI, YSU, and Humtown to bring the second university-owned S Max printer in North America to the Mahoning Valley.
This program is also working with the U.S. Department of Defense to support the integration of AM into the Department of Defense supply chain.
Hybrid Manufacturing
Hybrid manufacturing works off the principle that it’s generally more cost-effective to print a metal part to a “near net shape,” and then machine it down to its final tolerances.
Using this method, you first design the part or component with jigs and fixtures in place to transition it seamlessly into the traditional manufacturing processes.
YBI, YSU, and our other partners have design and technical skills with access to equipment to assist our local manufacturing workforce in learning this technique. We also provide support for the conceptualization, design, printing, and post-processing of metals, including titanium, steel, and nickel alloys.