US Ready to Bet $60 Million on 3D Printing

3D printing could eventually revolutionize manufacturing of parts for military technologies such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. CREDIT: Lockheed Martin

Today’s 3D printers can already create robots and artificial body parts layer by layer based on computer designs. But the U.S. government has much bigger plans for the futuristic technology — it wants to reshape American manufacturing by offering up to $60 million for a new 3D printing institute.

Unlike traditional factories, 3D printing technology offers the flexibility of tweaking digital designs on the fly and then rapidly “printing” the physical object on demand. The new Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute would harness 3D printing as the first of up to 16 centers dedicated to U.S. manufacturing innovation — part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation announced by President Obama on March 9.

“This pilot Institute will serve as a technical center of excellence, providing the innovation infrastructure to support manufacturing enterprises of all sizes and ensure that the U.S. manufacturing sector is a key pillar in an enduring and thriving economy,” according to the Air Force Research Laboratory’s solicitation issued yesterday (May 8).

The Department of Defense has taken the official lead on the 3D printing effort, but civilian agencies such as the Department of Energy have also promised funding. Any university or research institute that eventually hosts the new institute is expected to match the taxpayer contribution for a possible total budget of $120 million.

[via LiveScience]