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The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute 

Fast Facts

Established

August 2012

Website www.americamakes.us

Mission Accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) by convening, coordinating, and catalyzing the AM industry to help advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and security 

Headquarters Youngstown, OH

Consortium Organizer National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)

Satellite Locations
  • The W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation at The University of Texas at El Paso (El Paso, TX)
  • Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station at Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)
  • National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University (Wichita, KS)
Institute Metrics
as of November 1, 2024
 
299    Member Organizations

Total Ongoing and Completed Projects
288    Technology Projects
143    Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Projects

Education and Workforce Development
50,838    Participants in EWD Projects or Institute-led EWD Activities from FY20-FY24
Institute Snapshot
America Makes is the nation’s leading public-private partnership for additive manufacturing (AM) technology and education. 

America Makes members from industry, academia, government, and workforce and economic development organizations work together to accelerate AM adoption and the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness, focused on three areas – advancing AM technology, growing the AM workforce, and expanding the AM ecosystem.
Institute Capabilities
Additive
Manufacturing
Ecosystem


America Makes anchors a national network that connects members to advanced AM expertise and resources across the U.S., fostering collaboration and accelerating the adoption of AM technologies. This national reach is amplified by three Satellite Centers at the University of Texas El Paso, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University. Each Satellite Center enhances America Makes' mission by cultivating a collaborative infrastructure that facilitates the open exchange of AM research and knowledge. They work closely with local industries and educational institutions to provide AM-focused education and training, while also playing a key role in transitioning AM innovations from the research stage to commercial supply chains. Headquartered in Youngstown, OH, America Makes engages local manufacturers and educational institutions, linking them to a broader ecosystem that strengthens U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and domestic supply chains.
 
Education &
Workforce
Development

The America Makes portfolio currently features 12 active EWD projects, spanning a wide range of initiatives, including community outreach, K-12 engagement, post-secondary courses, and warfighter training. The EWD portfolio also encompasses several DoD and veteran training programs, apprenticeship pathways, and the validation of industry-recognized credentials. America Makes is dedicated to advancing career pathways in AM and fostering community engagement across diverse stakeholders. As a dynamic partner in the AM ecosystem, America Makes leads projects, expands scale and scope, sets strategic direction, develops programs to meet evolving needs, and establishes best practices through its advisory committee. 
 
Roadmapping
Over the past decade, America has made a significant effort to refine its technology roadmap development process. This process is built on active collaboration with members and stakeholders to identify, assess, and break down key technology needs. America Makes has created member-driven roadmaps in areas such as technology, EWD, and AM standards. These roadmaps pinpoint measurable, impactful challenges that drive inquiry, encourage knowledge-sharing, and foster advancements throughout the industry.
 
Standards
Development

America Makes and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) launched the Additive Manufacturing Standards Collaborative (AMSC) in 2016 with the support of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The AMSC coordinates and accelerates the development of industry-wide AM standards and specifications.  Standards and conformity assessments are key to creating trust in innovative technologies and fostering their widespread acceptance within the AM community. The AMSC developed and manages the AMSC Standards Roadmap, which identified AM standards gaps. America Makes continues to support AMSC and the development of industry standards, thereby facilitating the growth of the industry and the manufacturing technology ecosystem.
 
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Dr. Steven Wax, Acting Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Science and Technology, Delivers Keynote Speech for America Makes Members Meeting & Exchange 2023

DoD Manufacturing Technology Program