Automated Dynamics (AD), a Schenectady-based manufacturer of automated fiber placement equipment and advanced composite structures, has contributed $70,000 to Union College to support the upgrade of the College's composites laboratory. The gift, the largest by a private business to the laboratory, will be paid over a five year period and will offset costs associated with improving existing equipment and adding to the College's inventory of specialized equipment for composite work.
“Automated Dynamics and Union College have established a strong partnership; this gift will serve to enhance what is already a great relationship,” said James Mondo, Automated Dynamics' president. “We have benefitted tremendously from the College's expertise, both at the faculty and student intern levels, and we look forward to a productive future.”
Union assists in the research and development activities of the company, according to Mondo. “From design to testing to joint proposal development, we're working closely with Union to secure R&D contracts from government and industry,” he added.
AD and Union recently landed a contract with NASA to develop and manufacture thermoplastic composite feed lines for the BANTAM X reusable launch vehicle program. The feed lines are used to transport liquid oxygen and hydrogen to the main engines at cryogenic temperatures. The feed lines are also being used to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the use of thermoplastic composite materials on all of the reusable launch vehicle programs.
“This gift will ensure that our labs keep pace with change and that we can handle what today's students – and businesses – demand,” said Ron Bucinell, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Union. “Our work with AD represents the College's commitment to establish partnerships that support the revitalization of Schenectady.”