Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore how five dynamic Heartland cities are using 3D printing to drive innovation, economic development, and next-gen manufacturing.
In a recent analysis of economic vitality across America’s Heartland, Barron’s spotlighted five cities—Columbus, Grand Rapids, Austin, Nashville, and Indianapolis—as emerging centers of innovation and growth. A unifying thread among these cities is their strategic investment in 3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), which is revolutionizing sectors from healthcare to construction. This article delves into how each city can use its 3D printing resources to help support this technological advancement and economic growth.
1. Columbus, Ohio: Pioneering 3D Printing in Academia and Construction
Home to Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus has become a nexus for 3D printing innovation. OSU’s commitment to additive manufacturing is evident through several initiatives:
- EdTech Incubator’s 3D Printing Lab: Recently upgraded with 18 resin printers and a filament printer, this lab supports a wide array of projects, from educational tools to medical device prototypes.
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department: Offers industry-grade 3D printing services, providing access to FDM and PolyJet technologies for high-precision manufacturing.
- Large-Scale Construction Printing: OSU unveiled Ohio’s first large-scale 3D construction printer, capable of building homes and structures layer by layer with concrete. This technology promises faster construction times and reduced labor costs.
These initiatives position Columbus as a leader in integrating 3D printing across diverse industries.
2. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Advancing Medical Innovation on the Medical Mile
Grand Rapids’ “Medical Mile” is a hub for healthcare innovation, with 3D printing playing a pivotal role:
- Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) aMDI: The applied Medical Device Institute houses a state-of-the-art Carbon 3D printer, enabling the production of complex, patient-specific medical devices. GVSU is one of US News’ best colleges and had a total of 22,269 enrolled students as of Fall 2023.
- Student-Faculty Collaboration: At GVSU’s Padnos College of Engineering & Computing, students engage in real-world experiments, utilizing 3D printing to develop medical technologies that can be rapidly prototyped and tested.
- Community Partnerships: GVSU collaborates with local healthcare providers to apply 3D printing in creating customized surgical tools and implants, enhancing patient outcomes and reducing costs.
These efforts underscore Grand Rapids’ commitment to leveraging 3D printing for medical advancements.
3. Austin, Texas: Innovating Pediatric Healthcare through 3D Printing
Austin’s vibrant tech ecosystem, anchored by the University of Texas, is at the forefront of medical 3D printing:
- Pediatric Medical Devices: Researchers at UT Austin are developing 3D printed breathing masks tailored for children, addressing the need for customizable medical equipment in pediatric care. For instance, 3D printers helped create a tracheal splint for a toddler battling a rare lung disease.
- Complex Medical Device Fabrication: The university’s Cockrell School of Engineering is exploring the use of 3D printing to create intricate medical devices, aiming to improve patient-specific treatments and reduce manufacturing times.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: UT Austin fosters partnerships between engineers, medical professionals, and industry leaders to accelerate the development and deployment of 3D printed healthcare solutions.
Through these initiatives, UT Austin exemplifies how 3D printing can revolutionize pediatric healthcare.
4. Nashville, Tennessee: Enhancing Medical Training and Treatment with 3D Printing
Nashville’s healthcare sector, bolstered by institutions like Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and HCA Healthcare, is integrating 3D printing into various facets of medical practice:
- MTSU’s 3D Printing Resources: The university, which had a total enrollment of about 20,000 students for 2023, provides access to 3D printing technologies for students and researchers, facilitating the creation of anatomical models and surgical guides that enhance medical education and precision in procedures.
- HCA Healthcare’s Application: As a leading healthcare provider, HCA utilizes 3D printing to develop customized skin grafts for burn victims, improving healing outcomes and reducing recovery times.
- Collaborative Research: Partnerships between MTSU, HCA, and other local entities focus on advancing 3D printing applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
These efforts highlight Nashville’s role in pioneering 3D printing applications in healthcare.
5. Indianapolis, Indiana: Driving Medical Device Innovation through 3D Printing
Indianapolis stands as a powerhouse in the life sciences sector, with companies like Eli Lilly, Zimmer Biomet, and Cook Medical leading the charge in 3D printing adoption:
- Eli Lilly’s Pharmaceutical Advancements: Collaborating with Triastek, Eli Lilly is exploring 3D printing for the oral delivery of drugs, aiming to enhance precision in medication release profiles.
- Zimmer Biomet’s Orthopedic Solutions: The company employs 3D printing to produce patient-specific joint replacements and surgical instruments, improving fit and function while reducing surgical times.
- Cook Medical’s Device Prototyping: Utilizing 3D printing, Cook Medical accelerates the development of minimally invasive medical devices, allowing for rapid prototyping and iterative design processes.
Through these initiatives, Indianapolis reinforces its status as a leader in medical device innovation.
The Research & Development Tax Credit
The now permanent Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit is available for companies developing new or improved products, processes and/or software.
3D printing can help boost a company’s R&D Tax Credits. Wages for technical employees creating, testing and revising 3D printed prototypes are typically eligible expenses toward the R&D Tax Credit. Similarly, when used as a method of improving a process, time spent integrating 3D printing hardware and software can also be an eligible R&D expense. Lastly, when used for modeling and preproduction, the costs of filaments consumed during the development process may also be recovered.
Whether it is used for creating and testing prototypes or for final production, 3D printing is a great indicator that R&D Credit-eligible activities are taking place. Companies implementing this technology at any point should consider taking advantage of R&D Tax Credits.
Conclusion
These five Heartland cities exemplify how strategic investment in 3D printing can catalyze economic growth and technological advancement. By integrating additive manufacturing into sectors like healthcare, construction, and education, they are not only enhancing their local economies but also setting benchmarks for innovation in the Heartland and nationwide.
