Penn State is part of a consortium of research universities, community colleges and nonprofits from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia that is receiving $30 million in federal funding focused on revitalizing American manufacturing.

Called the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the consortium is a pilot institute that was picked by the Department of Defense in a competitive process. Member institutions will provide another $40 million.

Additive manufacturing, known as 3-D printing, is a way of making products and components using a digital model.

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, based in Latrobe, is leading the consortium. It includes 40 private companies, nine research universities, four community colleges and 11 trade associations and nonprofits.