A 3D printing hub in Aberdeen looks to spread manufacturing advances

A new program aiming to spearhead development of new processes for 3D printing is getting off the ground in Aberdeen.
Following an initial announcement indicating that Harford County would be the program’s home earlier this year, officials marked the official launch on Friday of AMMP, which is short for Advanced Manufacturing, Materials, and Processes.
The initiative, led by the Michigan-based National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, aims to provide a bring together experts in additive manufacturing from private companies, government academia to further advances in plastics, metals and machinery that can produce items faster and lower costs, according to NCMS.
Key among collaborators is the Army Research Lab, which has its largest presence at Aberdeen Proving Ground and is making 3D printing advances. It’s among a number of technologies being developed at APG. Located outside the base at Harford County’s former Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) center, the program is designed to bring those advances to commercial industrial use. Among those involved in the center are Chuck Hull, the inventor of 3D printing and CTO 3D Systems, as well as Harford County and the State of Maryland. AMMP is also spinning up a technical advisory board, and named Dr. Cosima Boswell-Koller as Senior Project Manager and technical lead.

Tremendous kick-off of the new AMMP alliance on #3Dprinting in @HarfordCountyMD with @ArmyResearchLab under @ncmsmfg. Looking forward to helping with our #3Dscanning and dimensional metrology capabilities for inspection analysis and re-engineering. pic.twitter.com/cuhkQUL9K1

— Direct Dimensions, Inc. (@dirdim) October 26, 2018

The program also received $15 million in new federal funding, which was secured by U.S. Sen Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.
“Today is an opportunity to recognize the unanimous pledge of support AMMP is receiving for the scientific breakthroughs, accelerated manufacturing capabilities, stronger and more competitive industrial base and economic growth it stimulates,” said NCMS CEO Lisa Strama in a prepared statement.
So far, eight projects have been awarded to the program.