University of Nebraska researchers believe new 3-D printer technology will revolutionize the manufacturing industry and hope a new $1.5 million lab will be at the forefront.“We have instruments here that are not found anywhere else in the world,” said Jeff Shield, department chairperson of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. The Nebraska Engineering Additive Technology Lab (NEAT) features three cutting-edge 3-D printers that can build intricate objects from metal even ceramics. “We can build if from aluminum, all the way to titanium, tungsten, you name it,” Mechanical and Materials Engineering Associate Professor Prahalada Rao said. He said these printers have the ability to produce military aircraft parts near combat zones and build a hard to find replacement part to an old farm tractor within hours. “You can make parts that are ready to go straight off the bat,” Rao said. Additive technology uses high watt infra-red lasers to fuse together metallic powers layer upon layer to build a part. “It has the capabilities to make complex parts easier,” Shields said. “It would be great. I would love to have one. We could put it to use right away,” said David Hall who owns Restore a Muscle Car business in Lincoln. They work on hundreds of vintage cars from around the world. Currently when they can’t find a part they need or are making a custom fit, they sometimes need to build a part. That can take a lot of time and money according to owner David Hall. “Basically cuts away all the metal until you end up with the piece you need or the part you need.” Hall said. 3-D printers use a third of the material used in normal parts production, can be done automatically within hours, and the specifications are simply loaded into a computer. “That would be outstanding to be able to save a car and have the stuff that looks right, fits right and that will perform the way it's supposed to,” Hall said. Rao said the University will use the printers to do research on the technology and hopes it will spark collaborations with businesses and industries. “It's going to revitalize our manufacturing industry and add more advanced manufacturing jobs, Rao said. For more information on 3-D printers go to https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/nebraska-engineering-expands-3-d-printing-capabilities/