Faustson Proud Partner in $2.4 million OEDIT Grant to Establish 3D Metal Additive Center

Posted on | December 17, 2015 | No Comments

Faustson Proud Partner in $2.4 million OEDIT Grant to Establish 3D Metal Additive Center

AIA accelerator grant for commercializati
on infrastructure puts Colorado at the forefront of 3D metal printing revolution

Faustson, a worldwide leader in the machining industry, is part of a consortium receiving a $2.4 million infrastructure grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) as part of the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program. The group – headed by Manufacture’s Edge – will use these funds to build infrastructure to assist in 3D metal printing standardization and qualification for businesses of all sizes.

“This work is the next step in our ongoing effort to lead Colorado in 3D metal printing expertise,” said Alicia Svaldi, president of Faustson. “For thirty years, we’ve worked to be early adopters in metal machining technologies and capabilities, and we’re proud to continue that tradition.”

Other members of the consortium include Ball Aerospace, Colorado School of Mines, and Lockheed-Martin. A research and development center will be built at Mines and be dedicated to performing applied research and creating database infrastructure to qualify printers and their parts. Mines will continue ongoing research with Faustson and Concept Laser on the first U.S. Installed dual-laser 3-D metal printer at Faustson’s facility in Arvada. Work will continue in the effort to greatly reduce manufacturing times and improve precision, accuracy and precision.

Faustson VP Heidi Hostetter said, “Our team, which combines manufacturing expertise, academia, support organizations, federal expertise, and the support of the state, is poised to further Colorado’s position as a leader in cutting-edge manufacturing. We’re able to create parts that are not possible using traditional machining techniques, and this will further Colorado’s position as a leader in additive manufacturing and aerospace.”

The 3D Metal Additive center will be a member-supported research center focused on understanding the characteristics and performance of 3D printed advanced metal alloys used in advanced manufacturing industries. OEDIT contributed $2.5 million of Advanced Industries Grant funds, while founding consortium members matched that with more than $5 million in matching funds, and contributed personnel and equipment resources to create the center at the Colorado School of Mines.

The first six months of activity will focus on building specified test parts at Lockheed Martin and Faustson, analyzing the characteristics of those parts at a microscopic level at the Colorado School of Mines, and analyzing the impact of the various manufacturing processes and conditions used to create the parts. This work will continue indefinitely, beyond the time frame of the grant, as the center will be a self-sustaining center of excellence for Colorado.

At the six-month mark, Manufacturer’s Edge and the Colorado School of Mines will roll out initial membership details for companies wishing to participate in further research efforts and results. At that time, the center will expand its scope to include new alloys and manufacturing methods driven by the needs of Colorado manufacturers.

OEDIT and the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program announced that a total of $4.350.000 has been awarded this week for infrastructure grants to assist Colorado’s high-tech industries. Infrastructure Funding Grants provide state funding to collaborative projects that will have a wide reaching industrial impact across one or more of Colorado’s Advanced Industries. Projects may provide shared working space and/or equipment, workforce training and mentorship for Colorado companies.

About the Advanced Industries Accelerator Programs

The Advanced Industries Accelerator Programs (AIA) were created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries by driving innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early-stage capital and creating a strong infrastructure that increases the state’s capacity to be globally competitive. AIA encompasses three distinct grant programs: Proof of Concept, Early Stage Capital and Retention, and Commercialization Infrastructure.

About Faustson

Faustson, a worldwide leader in the machining industry, provides services for clients worldwide in the medical, aerospace, aeronautics, defense, semiconductor and other industries. The company, founded in 1982, provides additive manufacturing/3D metal printing, 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling and 5-axis EDM services, as well as turning capabilities for cutting-edge custom part production, and efficient production of standard parts. Faustson Tool is woman owned and operated small business. For more information, visit www.faustson.com, email hhostetter@faustson.com or call (303) 420-7422.

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