Thursday, June 12, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13, announced Thursday that his office secured $10 million in federal funds to establish an additive manufacturing innovation research program at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. Ryan, a member of the House Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations, was able to obtain the funds for the program in the fiscal 2015 Defense Appropriations Bill, which passed the committee this week.
The program will equip the U.S. Air Force with the technology and expertise to use 3-D printing and other emerging manufacturing technologies to fabricate low-volume replacement parts for weapons systems at a lower cost than can be achieved through current procurement processes, according to the statement issued by Ryan’s office.
“I am proud to be able to assist in the funding of this important research that will ultimately help to grow high-paying manufacturing jobs in Ohio and across the United States while reducing costs for the Department of Defense,” Ryan said. “Additive manufacturing is transforming every sector of our national economy and this program further positions Ohio, which already has a successful additive manufacturing hub in Youngstown, as a leader in these arena.”
The funding announcement notes Ohio’s leadership in the field of additive manufacturing, citing a collaboration between Youngstown State University and the University of Dayton Research Institute on ways to increase the use of additive manufacturing in the military. It also points out the presence here of America Makes, formerly known as the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute.
The FY 2015 Defense Appropriations Bill must still be passed by the full House of Representatives and Senate and signed by President Obama.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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