Pittsburgh’s newest neigborhood, dubbed Neighborhood 91, promises to be the hub for modern manufacturing technologies. It will connect all components of the 3D Printing supply chain into one powerful production ecosystem. Construction for the ambitious 195-acre development is set to begin in 2020.
Neighborhood 91
The neighborhood will feature all sorts of production technologies and the latest amenities for tenants of the area. These include a wide range of materials, tools, post-processing devices, testing and analysis capabilities along with storage. It also provides direct access to the airport, making supply lines far cheaper for all the companies involved.
Neighborhood 91 is looking to be a massive undertaking that would not be possible without the aid of the University of Pittsburgh and argon gas supplier Arencibia. The latter is poised to be the anchor tenant for the whole project down at Pittsburgh International Airport. It is going to be the first development of the 195-acre Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus and will be adjacent to the terminal and runway.
Part of our vision is to advance the region’s role as a world leader. Additive manufacturing is looking for a place to call home and no one has made that happen – until now.Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport
Connected 3D Printing Supply Chain
Building the facility may be a major factor in energizing Pittsburgh’s manufacturing industry. In doing so, they hope to bring in every type of manufacturing firm imaginable. These companies will be able to leverage Neighborhood 91’s manufacturing, production and post-processing services along with the delivery capabilities the connection to the airport provides.
The airport also promises reduced transportation and energy costs for all manufacturing partners. As part of Pittsburgh’s Neighborhood 91 plans, the airport is constructing a second microgrid to power the development to further increase cost savings for tenants. The airport is already in the process of developing the first microgrid to power the terminals and airfield.
The Neighborhood campus concept will contain all the elements of the additive manufacturing supply chain in one concentrated place, including an onsite communal supply of powder. By sharing the costs on these materials and services, companies can save a lot. Officials also estimate that manufacturing lead times may shrink by 80 percent. Tenants will also save their clients and themselves a lot of time and money due to on-demand printing.
Another advantage is that thanks to companies like Arencibia, a lot of the crucial gases needed for AM will be easy to procure. This includes argon, helium, and other noble gases, which are essential elements for metal printing.
“The Pittsburgh region has always been a world leader in manufacturing,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Now that industry has evolved into additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and through Neighborhood 91, we have laid the groundwork to become the global epicenter. The neighborhood concept will create enormous efficiencies but just as important is leveraging our region’s universities, which will provide necessary research and development and fuel the workforce to the fill these jobs.”
Featured image retrieved from Getty images.
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