Pitt's Manufacturing Assistance Center Receives $300,000 Grant

PITTSBURGH—The Manufacturing Assistance Center (MAC) in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering will receive a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pay for training programs, manufacturing space, and expertise. Pennsylvania State Senator Sean Logan (D-45) and Representative Frank Dermody (D-33) will present the grant at 11 a.m. May 28 at the MAC, 210 William Pitt Way.

"The Manufacturing Assistance Center continues to be a quality resource for researchers and students in the School of Engineering as well as for manufacturers in Western Pennsylvania," said Gerald Holder, U.S. Steel Dean of Pitt's School of Engineering. "This grant is further evidence that Pennsylvania believes in the mission of the MAC."

Part of Pitt's Department of Industrial Engineering, the MAC is a technology transfer center with a skilled staff and a state-of-the-art factory. It offers area manufacturers access to advanced machine tools and computer-aided manufacturing software as well as training, technical assistance, and research and development. It also offers apprentice training to individuals.

Since its inception in 1994, the MAC has completed numerous technical assistance projects involving new product development, rapid prototyping, material and machine process testing, cellular manufacturing, automation simulation, and business start-ups.

The MAC offers training in manual machining, precision grinding, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, Electric Discharge Machines (EDM), metrology (precision measuring), and engineer training. It provides people with instruction in several software packages for CNC and EDM, including Esprit and Mastercam. The MAC also creates customized curriculum and training programs to meet the needs of local manufacturers.

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