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In today’s manufacturing sector, the applications of Advanced and Additive Manufacturing continue to take hold. Rapidly expanding technology calls many manufacturers to question how they can best get involved with aspects of Advanced Manufacturing, such as adopting internet connectivity for their machines (often referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT), utilizing 3D printing in their operations, or otherwise optimizing their production with modeling.
The Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) can be a helpful resource for companies hoping to get started or grow in these areas. YBI supports manufacturers in various areas, including in using Advanced Manufacturing technologies. Recently, they received funding, called “Power Funding” through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for Appalachian Region Ohio Manufacturers looking to integrate Advanced Manufacturing or Additive Manufacturers in areas such as:
- Reverse Engineering and 3D scanning
- Identification of Cost Reduction Opportunities
- 3D printing services and prototyping
- 3D printed tooling
- IIOT adoption and integration
- Solid modeling and design
- Advanced Manufacturing Sourcing
- Post-processing
- Material properties education and selection
- Process modeling and simulation
- Solution optimization
ARC grants act as a match of costs related to the expenditures above, with up to 50-75% subsidies available for projects led by YBI’s team. HBK spoke with YBI’s Engineering Program Manager, Dylan Negro, who added “The goal of this funding is to allow manufacturers to dip their toes into new and Advanced Manufacturing technologies and processes without having to invest new capital themselves. This includes all of the services we can assist with at YBI and other proposed applications.”
Applications for ARC grants are being accepted until August 31, or until funding resources are exhausted. To learn more about eligibility requirements or what integrating Advanced Manufacturing could look like for your business, please contact HBK Manufacturing Solutions at 330-758-8613 or manufacturing@hbkcpa.com. YBI can also be contacted directly by emailing Dylan Negro at dnegro@ybi.org or Stephanie Gaffney at sgaffney@ybi.org.
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