T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Luke Phalen demonstrates a Proform Tooling part at his new Barnesville business.

BARNESVILLE — Advanced Manufacturing Labs is bringing cutting-edge technology to Barnesville.

The new business will initially focus on washout tooling — a technique for producing hollow tools or components using 3-D printing around a core of sand, which can be washed out once the piece is complete. The one-time use, water soluble tooling method is designed with the composites I industry in mind, according to Chief Operating Officer Luke Phalen. Such composites are used in the automotive, construction, maritime, aviation and consumer products industries.

Phalen said the business will focus on a few specific technologies, but initially washout tooling will be the focus. Phalen said he intends to take washout tooling to the next stage. Since no harsh chemicals are needed to dissolve any of the material, the technique is environmentally friendly and supports a circular economy, according to AMfg Labs’ website.

Phalen said once washout tools are printed, coated and shipped to customers, the buyer can lay carbon fiber or similar material on the tools. After the carbon sets, they use water and wash out the sand, which can then be thrown out or reused.

Rick Lucas, chief adviser and a native of Barnesville, and Phalen founded the company together. At its core, it is a technology company, Phalen said.

“What I mean by that is, we try to develop technology, and the ultimate goal would be to commercialize that technology, ideally, all through government funding,” Phalen said.

The business is also doing low pressure injection molding of ceramic materials, which is similar to plastic injection molding.

It also does low volume tooling for thermoforming and vacuum forming, methods of shaping plastic sheets using heat or a vacuum.

With a low number of technical and manufacturing jobs in the local area, the business intends to create more jobs for people who work within those fields, he said.

“And more often than not, it seems like the valley has lots of talent that leaves and doesn’t come back,” Phalen said. “Just trying to create some jobs here.”

Phalen hopes to grow the business to at least 50 jobs in five years. Employees could range from technicians and engineers to general administrators and health accountants.

In the next few months, he also wishes to hire at least two to five people and get a few business opportunities or contracts secured, with that growing to a good number of opportunities and contracts before the year is over.

To get more involved in the community, Phalen plans to reach out to local high schools to spark interest in this field at a much earlier age.

Although the business has no grants yet, Phalen and his team have been applying for them.

He emphasized that no matter what happens, the business will not leave Barnesville. As the business develops a technology and there is a government or commercial need, the team will commercialize it elsewhere in the Ohio Valley.

“My mission is to build a business, a successful business,” Phalen said, “and grow it in a way that it supports the community.”