East Huntingdon 3D printing company gets high-tech upgrade through Army partnership

A small 3D printing company in East Huntingdon got some high-tech upgrades this year thanks to the U.S. Army.

Tronix3D equipped its machines with cloud-connected sensors, allowing the company to collect and share precise data about its manufacturing processes. The company was one of the first to test the new system, which is being pioneered by the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining.

“We’re one of the very few that’s doing this with the Army,” said Buck Helfferich, president of Tronix3D.

The new technology promotes two main ideas: consistency and security.

It’s not uncommon for dozens of manufacturers to all be making the same part for the military. By collecting data and sharing it with the Army, leaders can ensure the parts are being made to the same specifications by different manufacturers.

It’s also vital that the data be encrypted, Helfferich said. Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which require significant amounts of equipment, expertise and money to reproduce a particular part, 3D printing makes it easy to copy a design.

That’s why it’s especially important to keep data out of hackers’ hands, Helfferich said.

The system tested by Tronix3D uses cryptographic technology to keep the data secure.

Officials from the Army and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining visited Tronix3D this month to check out the system.

“As the lead of the AMNOW program, we are pleased with Tronix3D’s progress and are excited about continuing our relationship,” Ashley Totin, an NCDMM Senior Project Engineer, said in a statement.

Helfferich described the initiative as a win-win. The sensors installed as part of the new platform can be used to help the day-to-day operations of the company in many ways, such as by tracking humidity and other important variables.

Machines connected to the cloud have become increasingly popular in the past decade. The concept is called the Internet of Things, and Helfferich believes it is the future of manufacturing.

“Absolutely every manufacturer in the United States will benefit from having Internet of Things in their facility in some manner,” he said.

The Army program paid for the equipment, while Tronix3D paid for installation and training.

Tronix3D started in 2018 and moved into Westmoreland County Community College’s Advanced Technology Center last year. It has five employees, and Helfferich said he’s hopeful the company will be able to expand rapidly next year.

“There’s a lot of technology being developed right here in Westmoreland County. It’s incredible,” he said.