A strategic partnership between multiple organizations is set to transform Virginia's manufacturing landscape through a series of specialized workshops focused on metal additive manufacturing (MAM). The Reconfigure Virginia's Manufacturers for Modernization Program (Re-VAMMP) targets independent machine shops that serve as critical components of the defense manufacturing supply chain.
The workshops, scheduled across four Virginia locations, will provide comprehensive training on metal additive manufacturing technologies. Participants will learn how adopting these advanced manufacturing techniques can lower production costs, improve reliability, and expand their operational capabilities. By focusing on small and mid-size independent machine shops, the initiative seeks to address a critical modernization need within the defense industrial base.
Neal Orringer, President of ASTRO America, emphasized the importance of these workshops, noting that they are essential for manufacturers looking to expand their businesses and innovate their production techniques. The program directly supports the Department of Defense's strategic interests by enhancing the technological capabilities of its manufacturing supply chain.
Guest speakers Griffin Keller and Kevin Nims from AUSTAL USA and the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence will provide insights into assistance programs that can help manufacturers qualify for U.S. Navy supply chain opportunities. This aspect of the workshops offers participants a tangible pathway to potential business growth and government contract opportunities.
The workshops will be held in Norfolk, Richmond, Weyers Cave, and Roanoke throughout January and February 2025. Each full-day session will cover the fundamentals of metal additive manufacturing, its role in modern manufacturing, and strategies for implementation in small machine shops.
By bringing together ASTRO America, GENEDGE, the Department of Defense, and Virginia Tech, this initiative represents a collaborative approach to addressing technological gaps in manufacturing. The program not only aims to upgrade individual businesses but also seeks to enhance Virginia's overall manufacturing competitiveness and support national defense capabilities.
