- Distinguished advisory board includes members from Intel, GE, Deloitte, Johnson Controls, NIST
- Supports 3D printing labs and advanced manufacturing curriculum in High Schools
- Facilitates continuous interface between prospective employers and technical education providers
- Revolutionizes high school industrial arts, career and technical education by delivering 21st Century Manufacturing Lab in schools
ROCK HILL, S.C., Aug. 27, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) and SME announced today the formation of an advisory board for its collaborative M.Lab21 Initiative, composed of founding members 3D Systems and SME and key collaborator, America Makes (the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute) as well as representatives and support from Intel, GE, Johnson Controls, Lockheed Martin, Deloitte and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The advisory committee will assist, support, provide leadership and advocate for the M.Lab21 initiative. Drawing on a wealth of expertise and resources, the advisory board will help shape this program and provide subject matter expertise and best practices as needed.
"We believe a culture of making, personal expression and innovation is essential to keeping the U.S. on the leading edge of education and stimulating economic activity," said Carlos Contreras, US Education Director, Intel. "Whether challenging people to think differently or providing the technologies that can bring ideas to life, Intel supports the maker movement to encourage innovation whether in classrooms, labs or garage workshops."
M.Lab21 is a 21st Century Manufacturing Lab that will revolutionize high school industrial arts, career and technical education. Through the formation of this influential advisory board, 3DS and SME will create an integrated ecosystem of hardware, software and training programs that, together, can foster a new digital literacy and empower the next generation with digital craftsmanship skills.
Equipped with 3D scanning, development boards, design, prototyping, manufacturing and accompanying curriculum, participating schools will have the tools and resources to provide students with the necessary skills for the advanced manufacturing and design jobs of tomorrow. The advisory board will also leverage their own spheres of influence to help build communities of liked-minded organizations, schools and employers.
"M.Lab21 is the latest commitment we are making to deliver 21st century technology skills to students through our Make.Digital initiative," said Leanne Gluck, Director of Social Impact for 3DS. "Collaboratively, 3DS and SME invite teachers, educators, nonprofits and companies passionate about education, addressing the skills gap and advanced manufacturing workforce development to join our M.Lab21 initiative and help us drive innovation, technology and learning."
"SME has been immersed in and supporting the additive manufacturing community for nearly 25 years, and working to accelerate the adoption of this technology across the manufacturing industry," said Jeannine Kunz, managing director of workforce and education for SME. "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with these industry advisors to drive awareness and education of additive manufacturing in U.S. high schools, and ultimately strengthen the next generation of the manufacturing workforce."
Education inquiries can be made directly to either SME or 3DS.
Learn more about 3DS' commitment to manufacturing the future today at www.3dsystems.com.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems is pioneering 3D printing for everyone. 3DS provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced custom parts. Its powerful digital thread empowers professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life in material choices including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS' leading healthcare solutions include integrated 3D planning and printing for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D design and inspection products embody the latest perceptual, capture and touch technology. Its products and services replace and complement traditional methods with improved results and reduced time to outcomes. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, plan, guide, prototype or produce functional parts, devices and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future.
Leadership Through Innovation and Technology
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3DS invented 3D printing with its Stereolithography (SLA) printer and was the first to commercialize it in 1989.
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3DS invented Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing and was the first to commercialize it in 1992.
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3DS invented the Color-Jet-Printing (CJP) class of 3D printers and was the first to commercialize 3D powder-based systems in 1994.
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3DS invented Multi-Jet-Printing (MJP) printers and was the first to commercialize it in 1996.
- 3DS Medical Modeling pioneered virtual surgical planning (VSP) and its services are world-leading, helping many thousands of patients on an annual basis.
Today its comprehensive range of 3D printers is the industry's benchmark for production-grade manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, patient specific medical device and a variety of consumer, electronic and fashion accessories.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com.
About SME
SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to advancing manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skill needs for industry. Follow @sme_mfg on Twitter or facebook.com/smemfg.
About America Makes
America Makes is the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. As the national accelerator for additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP), America Makes is the nation's leading and collaborative partner in AM and 3DP technology research, discovery, creation, and innovation. Structured as a public-private partnership with member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies, and workforce and economic development resources, we are working together to innovate and accelerate AM and 3DP to increase our nation's global manufacturing competitiveness. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, America Makes is the first institute for up to 45 manufacturing innovation institutes to follow and is driven by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM). For more information about America Makes, visit http://americamakes.us.