Following the “Intelligent and Resilient Infrastructure” grant received from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Power management company Eaton and the University of Toledo will investigate Additive Manufacturing Materials for Corps of Engineers Maintenance and Repair.
This is not Eaton’s first experience with AM. As a matter of fact, the energy company has built extensive expertise in multifunctional composites materials and AM. This time, the focus will be made on the use of large format additive manufacturing machines and advanced materials. The program will focus on large format metal additive manufacturing, Additive manufacturing of molds using large format polymer printing and conducting polymers as well as embedded sensing for health monitoring and predictive maintenance.
On the other hand, the University of Toledo will leverage its Polymer Institute; Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization; Failure, Fracture and Fatigue Laboratory; and Micro/Nano-Mechanics Laboratory.
“The technology and the data generated under this program will be the building blocks of future repair and replacement strategies that combine material databases, manufacturing simulations and field data,” said Bryan Farrens, senior manager, Government Programs, Eaton.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, a key supporter for the program, said, “The federal grant from the U.S. Army demonstrates how critical Northern Ohio innovation and expertise is in advancing next-generation technologies for the resilience of American infrastructure. As significant new infrastructure dollars are deployed across the country, Eaton and the University of Toledo are engaged in vital, groundbreaking work for the future of our nation.”
“As the Corps and the nation tackle the grand challenge of aging infrastructure, the new materials, manufacturing processes, and health monitoring technologies developed under this effort will support modernization of our infrastructure for improved reliability and resilience,” said Dr. Robert D. Moser, ERDC senior scientific technical manager.
Remember, you can post job opportunities in the AM Industry on 3D ADEPT Media free of charge or look for a job via our job board. Make sure to follow us on our social networks and subscribe to our weekly newsletter : Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram ! If you want to be featured in the next issue of our digital magazine or if you hear a story that needs to be heard, make sure you send it to contact@3dadept.com