AM systems to be installed in more than 400 schools under GE Additive Education Program
May 30, 2017
More than 400 schools will receive Additive Manufacturing systems as a part of the GE Additive Education Program, reaching more than 180,000 students around the globe. Of these, eight colleges and universities will receive metal Additive Manufacturing systems. GE has previously stated that it plans to invest $10 million over the next five years in two educational programmes, with the aim of developing pipelines of future talent in Additive Manufacturing.
GE will provide the following eight schools with a Concept Laser MLAB cusing 100R metal printing machine, with a market value of about $250,000 each, in the first year of their Additive Education Program:
- Auburn University, USA
- Boston University, USA
- Iowa State University, USA
- North Carolina State University, USA
- Ohio State University, USA
- University of Cincinnati, USA
- University of New South Wales, Australia
- U.S. Naval Academy, USA
GE believes that enabling educational institutions to provide access to AM systems will help accelerate the adoption of Additive Manufacturing worldwide. “Additive manufacturing and 3D printing is revolutionising the way we think about designing and manufacturing products,” stated Mohammad Ehteshami, Vice President of GE Additive. “We want a pipeline of engineering talent that have additive in their DNA. This education program is our way of supporting that goal.”
The Additive Education Program reportedly generated more than 250 applications from colleges and universities and more than 500 applications from primary and secondary schools around the world. A hand-picked team of GE specialists evaluated each school and made the final selections.
GE will deliver the printers to selected schools later this year and plans to provide machines to more schools each year over the next four years. The next application window will open during the first quarter of 2018.
