Three organizations with like-minded goals of creating an array of advanced technologies throughout U.S.-based supply chains, Lightweighting Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT), America Makes, and The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) jointly exhibited at The Big M, an advanced manufacturing solutions conference held last week in Detroit.
“All three institutes are advancing important manufacturing processes, and educating other organizations, manufacturers and possible industry partners is critical to our success,” says LIFT executive director Larry Brown. “Lightweighting is a huge initiative that will drive numerous industries forward, from the military to commercial and light vehicles, for years to come.”
LIFT, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), is a public-private partnership to develop and deploy advanced lightweight materials manufacturing technologies and implement education and training programs to prepare the workforce. Headquartered in Detroit, LIFT speeds the development of new lightweight metal manufacturing processes from laboratories to factories for products using lightweight metal, including aluminum, magnesium, titanium and advanced high-strength steel alloys.
America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP) technology research, discovery, creation, and innovation.
DMDII is the nation’s flagship research institute for applying cutting-edge digital technologies to reduce the time and cost of manufacturing, strengthen the capabilities of the U.S. supply chain, and to reduce acquisition costs.
Over the next three years, DMDII anticipates having a portfolio of about $100 million worth of sponsored research projects, spread out over dozens of initiatives and hundreds of participants. The institute’s members – currently numbering over 80+ companies and academic institutions – will have access to the fruits of the research. The Big M conference is an excellent opportunity for DMDII professionals to meet, engage with and learn more from prospective participants and members.
The Big M is designed to provide information to help manufacturers increase efficiencies, reduce lead times and improve margins. According to Scott Deutsch, Communications Manager for America Makes, this is an ideal networking and educational opportunity for the institutes.
“The Big M conference is one of many trade events where the institutes can connect with researchers, manufacturers and workforce development organizations,” said Ralph Resnick, Executive Director of NCDMM and Founding Director of America Makes “We are here to learn from them as well as to articulate our mission and our current project activities.”
