America Makes MMX recap highlights defence talks
America Makes’ 13th Annual Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX), held August 5-6 in Canfield, Ohio, USA, was the largest MMX to date. The event hosted nearly 420 leaders from the United States Department of Defense (DoD), academia, and industry.
In the first of a three-part overview, America Makes reported that speakers addressed key topics, including AM technology transitions and market intelligence. The leadership team outlined how it is shaping the future of AM by aligning cutting-edge technology development, strategic workforce growth, and industrial base expansion with the nation’s defence and manufacturing priorities.
John Wilczynski, America Makes Executive Director, opened the presentations centring on the institute’s recent activities, including the launch of twenty-two FY25 projects with nearly $34 million dispensed to its membership. This reinforces America Makes’ “commitment to supporting DoD priorities such as strengthening national security and military capabilities,” it was stated.
Wilczynski also stressed efforts to boost member engagement and streamline information sharing across America Makes’ pillars: Technology Development, Growing the Workforce, and Expanding the Industrial Base. He highlighted the importance of member-driven feedback and effective information flow to enhance collaboration and overall member experience.
Further presentations included Brandon Ribic, PhD, Technology Director, who presented an update on strategic technology initiatives and project progress, emphasising the organisation’s pivotal role in advancing Additive Manufacturing for defence applications.
Ed Herderick, PhD, Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Director, focused his talk on America Makes’ renewed EWD strategy. This strategy is focused on developing an integrated and scalable approach to training and workforce growth in Additive Manufacturing, particularly aimed at meeting the needs of DoD and the broader industrial base.
Kimberly Gibson, Industrial Base Integration Director, discussed the strategic approach and America Makes’ ongoing efforts to enhance the US industrial base through Additive Manufacturing. Gibson shared the importance of focusing on creating a resilient, modern, and connected supply chain to meet defence and industrial needs, spotlighting collaboration, technological integration, and workforce development.
Alexander Steeb, Operations Director, described the efforts of the Institute’s organisational framework to accelerate Additive Manufacturing adoption. He emphasised the importance of its strategic collaboration and a diverse membership across the DoD, industry leaders, and academic pioneers as a key tenet of these efforts.
Steeb also discussed the impact of events, such as MMX and TRX, as a catalyst for increased opportunities for networking and partnership across the Additive Manufacturing community. In alignment with the event’s theme of DoD-led priorities, he focused on America Makes’ commitment to rigorous project management, ensuring that research delivers meaningful industrial benefits while complying with DoD regulations.
The first of the three reports is available here.
