1. Daniel Walczyk, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director, Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS)

2. Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Center for Advanced Technology
Collaborative, industry-focused applied R&D in advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics and Additive manufacturing.
Independent, objective technical consultation on manufacturing processes.
Creative problem solving and feasibility studies.
Proof of principle modeling.
Manufacturing design and process development.
Needs/Resource matching.
30 years of working with industry from start- ups to multinational corporations.
Award-winning teaching factory with manufacturing engineering education program and graduate-level state certificate program in manufacturing.
Automation for Advanced Manufacturing
Robotics
Product design for manufacture
Prototyping
Additive manufacturing w/new materials
Advanced materials processing
Micro/nanomanufacturing
Smart manufacturing

3. ~13,000 ft2 of lab and office space

7. 2006-2008 – NYSERDA project (w/Kintz Plastics, Inc
– NYSERDA project (w/Kintz Plastics, Inc. or KPI) for composites forming that led to invention of Pressure Focusing Layer (PFL) process
– NYSERDA project (w/KPI) to further develop PFL (1)
– Patent for PFL technology filed by CATS and granted (US 8,511,362) to KPI
– NYSERDA project (w/KPI) to develop software design tools and demonstrate them
2015 – Vistex Composites, LLC founded by two former CATS PhD students, who purchase patent from KPI.
– NSF GOALI grant (w/Vistex) to refine design algorithm and software tools, refine industrial process and develop complete manufacturing system.
– NYSERDA project (w/Vistex) to develop variant of PFL where resin is injected dry reinforcement before consolidation/curing
– NYSERDA project (w/Vistex) to develop new PFL tool design to allow the use of EB-cured resins
– Subcontract to Vistex’s NSF SBIR Phase I and II to completely automate PFL production
2017 – FuzeHub project to develop new rapid tooling concept.