CINCINNATI — January 06, 2017– (BUSINESS WIRE) — GE is now accepting applications from schools for the GE Additive Education Program (AEP). GE will invest $10 million over the next five years in two educational programs, to develop pipelines of future talent in additive manufacturing. Enabling educational institutions to provide access to 3D printers will help accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing, worldwide.
“We want to build an ecosystem for additive manufacturing across multiple industries,” said Mohammad Ehteshami, Vice President of GE Additive. “GE is committed to this technology for the long-term.”
One global program will focus on primary and secondary schools, and the other one focuses on colleges and universities.
GE will invest $2 million over two years to subsidize desktop polymer printers for primary and secondary schools around the world. Priority will be given to institutions serving ages 8-18 with a strong commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.
GE will invest $8 million over five years to subsidize up to 50 metal additive machines to colleges and universities around the world. Priority will be given to institutions with curriculum and/or research underway in the area of additive manufacturing.
Applications for initial selections in both programs will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2017, enabling printers to be available to schools and universities beginning Fall 2017. Additional applications will be accepted in 2018.
Here is the timeline for the 2017 application and selection process:
Primary and secondary schools (ages 8-18):
- February 28, 2017 – Introductory applications due
- March 15, 2017 – Down-selected schools notified
- April 7, 2017 – Detailed applications due
- April 28, 2017 – Final selections notified
Post high school, universities, colleges, technical schools (ages 18+):
- February 28, 2017 – Introductory applications due
- March 30, 2017 – Down selected schools notified
- April 30, 2017 – Proposals due
- May 30, 2017 – Final selections notified
Interested schools may complete the application form here. For more information, see GE Additive’s FAQ page here, or visit www.geadditive.com.
GE has actively supported education for more than 100 years. GE’s efforts focus on areas that have the greatest impact and can improve outcomes for students. In the U.S. alone, GE has invested more than $225 million and thousands of hours to support public education.
Additive manufacturing, which is also known as 3D printing, involves taking digital designs from computer aided design (CAD) software, and laying horizontal cross-sections to manufacture the part. Essentially “grown” from the ground up, additive components generate far less scrap material and are typically lighter and more durable than traditional forged parts because they require less welding and machining. Freed of traditional manufacturing restrictions, additive manufacturing dramatically expands the design possibilities for engineers.
GE is a leading end-user and innovator in additive manufacturing. GE has invested approximately $1.5 billion in manufacturing and additive technologies at GE’s Global Research Center (GRC), developed additive applications across six GE businesses and is pioneering services applications across the company.
Late in 2016, GE signed an agreement to acquire a 75% stake in Concept Laser, a leading global supplier of additive manufacturing equipment, representing a key step in GE’s commitment to the additive revolution. In addition, GE concluded its tender offer for the shares of Arcam AB of Sweden, first initiated in September, and purchased 76.15% of the company.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.geadditive.com
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Dave Wilson
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Source: GE
