Capturing the Marshall Spirit

One of the most recognizable Marshall University icons, the Memorial Fountain, pays homage to victims of the 1970 plane crash that killed 75 Marshall football players, coaches, athletic boosters and flight crew members.

Created by sculptor Harry Bertoia and dedicated in 1972, the 13-foot high, 6,500-pound work of art recently was named to the National Register of Historic Places. Bertoia said his hope was that the fountain would "commemorate the living — rather than death — on the waters of life, rising, receding, surging so as to express upward growth, immortality and eternality.”

Now, one of the university's most photographed and indelible landmarks has been preserved in full three-dimensional glory.

On a mild November day, engineers from the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) scanned the mammoth monument constructed of bronze and copper tubes using the latest advanced scanning technology. MAMC's mobile technology enabled the MAMC team to capture each curve and crevice of the fountain in a few hours, creating a highly accurate three-dimensional rendering that preserves Bertoia's memorial in fine detail.

Marshall officials will be able to use the computer-aided-design file to generate accurate 3D replicas of the fountain or — should the need arise — create replacement parts.

"We are committed to excellence,” said Dave Traube, Marshall's chief marketing and communications officer. "The fountain is such a visual representation of the Marshall spirit that it only makes sense that we want to portray it as accurately as possible with each use. The 3D rendering will allow us to do this.”

MAMC Director Derek Scarbro said the center's scanning technology is some of the most advanced in central Appalachia. "Not only are our scanning systems highly accurate and capable of capturing the finest details and even colors, they are portable, which really is a game-changer when you need to scan immovable objects like the Memorial Fountain.”

While MAMC's scanners typically are used to reverse engineer components or capture precise measurements for clients in industries such as automotive and aerospace, Scarbro said the fountain project highlights another practical application for the technology — and one that adds emotional heft to technological hardware.

"It's a great showcase of the innovative technologies at MAMC,” Traube said.

Precision scanners are just a fraction of the more than $25 million in sophisticated technologies that MAMC provides, which are accessible to entrepreneurs and manufacturers of all sizes. There are also computercontrolled mills and lathes, laser and waterjet cutters, and a stable of 3D printers, including large-format, full-color-capable and even metal — all of which run on advanced software with a bevy of tools that utilize artificial intelligence (AI).

"We work to bring this technology to our region to expose businesses and help them realize new contracting avenues or ways to develop new products,” Scarbro said. "With more than 700 years of combined industry expertise, our staff of engineers, machinists and technicians ensure that clients take full advantage of this technology trove.”

MAMC's advanced technology and industrial expertise are but one part of a comprehensive array of services the center offers, services that extend far beyond the confines of its technology centers in Huntington and South Charleston. Workforce development is central to the mission of the center. In addition to customized and specialized manufacturing training delivered on-site and at companies around the region, MAMC's industry-aligned career skills programs in CNC machining, welding and industrial maintenance for automated systems (SMART) prepare individuals for high-demand jobs in the manufacturing sector. In fact, more than 90% of students find employment in their chosen occupations. Graduates of the programs earn nationally recognized industry credentials as well as associate of applied science degrees through MAMC's partnerships with Mountwest and Bridge Valley community colleges.

Apprenticeship Works, MAMC's nationwide Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Partnership, assists companies nationwide in developing and maintaining custom apprenticeships in more than a dozen high-demand occupations in order to bridge critical skills gaps in their operations. The initiative is funded entirely through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which took notice of a unique apprenticeship model MAMC developed for a West Virginia manufacturer and encouraged its replication nationwide. That success led the DOL last year to designate MAMC as a national manufacturing apprenticeship hub.

MAMC also is a hub of innovation. When inventors and innovators walk through the doors, they connect with a team of MAMC experts in the Design Works lab and makerspace who assist with design, prototyping, testing and manufacturing to help bring new ideas and products to market. MAMC offers Early-Stage Funding Opportunities assistance to offset the cost of many of these services.

For existing companies, MAMC, with its Advantage Valley partners, organizes supply chain opportunities to connect small businesses to contracting opportunities with government agencies and larger manufacturers. At the same time, the Quality Services team assists companies large and small with implementing and maintaining systems to reduce waste, improve efficiency and boost productivity. This includes helping manufacturers achieve critical quality certifications often required to become suppliers to large manufacturers and government agencies.

Last year alone, MAMC served 324 companies and delivered manufacturing training to 987 individuals through its diverse portfolio of assistance programs.

MAMC's mission also extends to K-12 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education. More than 6,200 students each year benefit from MAMC's outreach efforts, which include student tours and workshops, in-school demonstrations and a series of popular summer camps. The goal is to encourage young people to consider careers in manufacturing and other technical fields and inspire them to develop entrepreneurial mindsets.

"MAMC does a great many things to support manufacturers, entrepreneurs and students,” Scarbro said. "We continue to expand and adapt to meet the growing and changing needs of those we serve. That agility has been a hallmark of our organization for 35 years. No other U.S. university offers a manufacturing center that delivers the diverse services you find at MAMC.”