GALESBURG, Ill. — Jupiter Machine Tool Inc. in Galesburg is unveiling its latest 3D printing centers that they say will shake up the industry.
"This has never been done before in this format. It brings new technology to the state of Illinois and it brings new opportunities and new jobs and it will attract other industries to co-locate with us," Ray Whitehead, chairman and CEO of Jupiter Machine Tools said.
The company revealed their brand-new line of additive hybrid CNC (computer numerical control) machines as their sister company, Pegasus Manufacturing Inc., celebrated their 10-year anniversary in Galesburg.
The automated printing centers aren't new to Jupiter Machine Tools, but Whitehead expects printing metal to be a game-changer.
"It changes the way that we manufacture things completely," Whitehead said. "This has never been done before in this format. It brings new technology to the state of Illinois and it brings new opportunities and new jobs and it will attract other industries to co-locate with us."
They'll be able to recreate outdated pieces of logistical equipment from a tractor or airplane, and build towards the future with innovative surgical implants.
"We're able to make a part using this process with multiple types of materials," Whitehead said. "I can have a shoulder implant [that's] part titanium and I can apply copper in the printing process to reduce medical infections."
Jupiter Machine Tools said the new technology will open new doors for them, as well.
"We can do manufacturing things that have never been done before, and at the same time, we're able to, for the community and the region, create jobs we've never had before."
The veteran-owned company said this new printing method will help cut down production costs and material waste. They're also committed to building these new machines in the United States.