Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Hut, Hut, Hike! University Develops 3D Football

By R&D Editors | April 9, 2015

Engineers at the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) at North Carolina State University have developed a titanium football replica produced with advanced 3-D printing technology. The full-size football, bearing the NC State logo, was created in ISE’s Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL) by Professor Tim Horn. 

The football was recently presented to NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson, in recognition of the Wolfpack’s upcoming Kay Yow Spring Football Game on April 11. 

The football, which took 24 hours to create, is made of the same medical-grade titanium material used in surgical implant devices, as well as in the commemorative NC State coin printed by Professor Horn that traveled on board NASA’s recent Orion space flight. See related story: http://www.cemag.us/news/2014/06/nasas-orion-spacecraft-ready-feel-heat
​
According to Professor Horn, the titanium football was made on the Arcam EBM (Electron Beam Melting) machine at NC State ISE. Arcam originally patented and developed the EBM process, and NC State ISE has the distinction of purchasing the first such machine in the world. 

In the EBM process, metal components are built up, layer-by-layer, using metal powder that is melted by a powerful electron beam as opposed to a laser. Each layer is melted to the exact geometry defined by a 3-D CAD model. The EBM process takes place in vacuum and at high temperature which creates parts with material properties better than cast, and comparable to wrought material.  

President Obama visited NC State in early 2014 to announce that the university will lead the new Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute, in a $140 million initiative that includes a $70 million grant from the Department of Energy – the largest single grant in NC State history. See related story: http://www.cemag.us/news/2014/01/president-announces-semiconductor-hub 
 

ENTRIES OPEN:

Establish your company as a technology leader. For 50 years, the R&D 100 Awards, widely recognized as the “Oscars of Invention,” have showcased products of technological significance. Learn more.

 

Related Articles Read More >

2025 R&D layoffs tracker: 83,543 and counting
Health-related innovation in Morocco highlighted by resident inventor patenting activity
ARPA-H funds $29M Ginkgo-led project to reshore pharma supply chains using wheat germ tech
DNA microscope offers new 3D view of organisms from the inside out
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE