Pittsburgh International Airport is teaming up with the University of Pittsburgh to develop an additive manufacturing hub on the Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus. The goal is to help Pittsburgh a world leader in additive manufacturing, and to help with the airports supply chain with exceptional benefits to lead times and delivery (estimated 80%).
“The Pittsburgh region has always been a world leader in manufacturing,” commented Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive. “Now that industry has evolved into additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and through Neighborhood 91, we have laid the groundwork to become the global epicenter.” Continuing, “The neighborhood concept will create enormous efficiencies but just as important is leveraging or region’s universities, which will provide necessary research and development and fuel the workforce to fill these jobs.”
Pittsburg is reputed as the “steel city” for its historic manufacturing hubs. In addition to steel, the city has expertise in aluminum, glass, shipbuilding, petroleum, and electronics production. When it comes to 3D printing the city is home to lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing specialist Arconic. To add to this the city is only 20 miles from North Huntingdon, the international headquarters of leading binder jet 3D printer provider ExOne, and 20 more miles from the base of additive manufacturing metal powder producer Kennametal. These connections with industry are what Pittsburgh International Airport is seeking to leverage in the creation of Neighbourhood 91.
“Part of our vision as an airport is to advance the region’s role as a world leader,” commented Christina Cassotis, Pittsburgh International Airport CEO. “Additive Manufacturing is looking for a place to call home and no one has made that happen – until now. The Pittsburg region is a natural fit based in its history and its assets of today and our airport is leading the way to get it done along with our university partners.”
Neighborhood 91 will be built adjacent to the airport terminal and runway and will be surrounding shared capital resources. One resource will be the onsite powder supply, other benefits will include:
– Powder, parts, post-production, testing and analysis
– Efficiencies in production/post-production and delivery
– Tenants’ clients cost savings from on-demand printing
– Reduced transportation costs
– Airport access
– Argon, helium and other noble gas supply
According to Patrick Gallagher, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor, “Neighborhood 91 brings together the kind of collaborative environment needed to lead in today’s competitive advanced manufacturing economy. It combines the region’s strength in additive manufacturing and advanced materials industries with the intellectual capital of its world-class research universities.”
Vialva, Tia, et al. “Pittsburgh International Airport to Begin Construction of Additive Manufacturing Hub in 2020.” 3D Printing Industry, 1 Nov. 2019, 3dprintingindustry.com/news/pittsburgh-international-airport-to-begin-construction-of-additive-manufacturing-hub-in-2020-164107/.