By The Star Staff
The College of Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Mayagüez Campus (RUM) on Thursday inaugurated a modern 3D printing laboratory for metals with the most advanced technology in the UPR system for academic, research and industrial purposes.
“It is an innovative piece of equipment, which is not unique in Puerto Rico, but it is unique in the UPR system for academic, research and industrial purposes,” said Dr. Cristina Pomales García, interim dean of engineering, in a written statement. “This equipment was born from a gift from the Department of Defense, [via a grant application] written by Dr. Oscar Marcelo Suárez and a team of collaborators who had the vision to bring it. This means the development of education and human talent with cutting-edge technology.”
Pomales García noted that the technology involves depositing metal powders and fusing them with a powerful laser beam to create complex three-dimensional parts. In addition, it is a complicated process that requires high levels of safety. The lab room, located in the Department of Industrial Engineering, is equipped with special devices and controls for using the equipment.
Drs. Ricky Valentín and Pedro Quintero from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, as well as academics from the Departments of Industrial Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, also participated in the initiative. Later, the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (FCTIPR by its initials in Spanish) awarded a second grant that allowed the construction of the space, where faculty and graduate students will be able to conduct research, as well as projects for industry and federal agencies.
“We received the approach that the institution had received this funding and grant from the Department of Defense to establish this capacity in Puerto Rico,” said engineer Lucy Crespo, CEO of FCTIPR and a RUM graduate. “They needed support with the construction of the physical infrastructure. For the Trust, it is a wonderful experience to collaborate with all those who are working on this. We will have the capacity to do 3D printing for metals. We already have 3D printing of other filaments, using polymers and other materials. We are just getting into printing with organic materials, but this is extremely important. It is a capacity that can be used in sectors such as aerospace, biomedicine and biotechnology.”
As highlighted during the inauguration, the initiative will allow the institution to attract other grants and more technological resources, hire more teachers and acquire additional equipment.
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