Assistant Visiting Professor Arthur Hash
and student Mengzi Li (Metal '15) prepare
3D models for printing in the
professional-grade printers at New Paltz

SUNY New Paltz has embarked on an ambitious 3D Printing Initiative. The organizational home of this effort is the Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz. The Center integrates the College's strengths in engineering, computer science, technology, and the innovation and creativity of the arts.

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process of layer-by-layer printing that produces three-dimensional objects using computer-aided design software. Using a number of different technologies, 3D printers can form objects out of a wide variety of plastics, metals, and ceramics, transforming many industries.

Key elements of the College's 3D Printing Initiative include: a unique curriculum in Digital Design and Fabrication, aimed at advanced-level workforce development; a core facility of state-of-the-art equipment available to businesses and industry; active recruitment of 3D printing enterprises, with access to venture capital funds; a network of equipment access and collaborative educational programming at Hudson Valley community colleges and selected high schools to expand 3D printing capability in the region; and joining the START-UP New York tax-free initiative with a focus on 3D printing.

Recently, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) chose the 3D Printing Initiative at New Paltz as a top priority project to be considered for state funding in this year's round of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Regional Council Initiative.

State funding would allow New Paltz to construct a 7,500-square-foot facility on campus and purchase major 3D printing equipment, leveraging $500,000 of private funding committed by Ulster County businessman Sean Eldridge of Hudson River Ventures and Central Hudson in May to the new Hudson Valley Advanced Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz. Hudson River Ventures has also committed $500,000 of venture capital to help launch new 3D printing enterprises in the region.

"We are excited to lead this initiative that shows so much promise to attract new business and industry, create new jobs, and grow the Hudson Valley economy," said SUNY New Paltz President Donald Christian. "It's a wonderful opportunity for us to link our faculty and students with businesses, community colleges, schools, and nonprofit organizations to build a distinctive regional identity in 3D printing and related research, design, and development."