US National Center for Manufacturing Sciences to add AM-focused innovation centre
July 2, 2018
The US’s National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, has revealed plans to establish a new manufacturing innovation centre in Harford County, Maryland, USA. The centre will focus on the development of industrial Additive Manufacturing materials and processes, employing leading engineers and the latest AM production technology.
The NCMS stated that it hopes collaborative efforts at the centre will aid scientific breakthroughs in metals and polymers, and contribute to the launch of new machinery to transform manufacturing for the aerospace, automotive, medical and other industries. “As a proven leader in advanced technology innovation development, NCMS has the unique ability to engage and work with a wide variety of partners while finding the critical infrastructure, talent, and investment for successful program and project management,” commented Rick Jarman, NCMS President. “We believe Aberdeen, Maryland is the place where these vital innovation ingredients come together and are key to the new industrial revolution.”
Partners of the new centre include the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and Harford County, Maryland, as well as founding members 3D Systems and Applied Materials. “3D Systems is proud to have helped NCMS lead this initiative,” stated Neal Orringer, 3D Systems‘ Vice President of Alliances & Partnerships. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to partner with key government and industry leaders such as Applied Materials to drive innovation and US competitiveness. This effort is designed to equip our military with the best technology possible at the best value to the taxpayer.”
The collaboration between government, industry and academia at NCMS is expected to advance and build on non-traditional technologies to enable US manufacturers with large-scale Additive Manufacturing, high-speed part production, novel designs and materials, reduced cost and delivery times, and point-of-need part manufacturing.
Harford County will provide leased lab, training and administrative space for the facility at the Higher Education and Applied Technology Center in Aberdeen, Maryland. “We are excited to work with NCMS and look forward to being active partners in this unprecedented consortium for new manufacturing technology,” added Barry Glassman, Harford County Executive.
