Business and Academic Leaders Review Digital Manufacturing and Industrial Internet During National Academy of Engineering Regional Symposium

Technical Experts Address the Challenges of Advanced Manufacturing to Speed Innovation, Product Development

RICHMOND, VA – April 3, 2014 – The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) and participants of the National Academy of Engineering Regional Symposium outlined the digital “factory of the future” – an industrial environment in which each element of manufacturing is digitized, significantly enhancing efficiencies and speed to market.

“Digitization is making significant changes in the way we look at and perform manufacturing,” said Bob Fagan, Chief Technology Officer.  “Having every element of the manufacturing process, including the design, quality specifications, and inspection and other data, in a digitized environment eliminates barriers and increases efficiencies.”

The gathering of industry and academic leaders discussed digitization and the Industrial Internet – both forces influencing today’s manufacturing and poised to unleash greater efficiencies in the future.
The Industrial Internet, a concept championed by GE, describes a manufacturing world connected by machines where productivity, efficiency and sustainability far exceed today’s levels.

CCAM, a public / private collaborative center performing research in the areas of advanced manufacturing systems and surface engineering, co-sponsored the National Academy of Engineering Regional Symposium.

Symposium co-sponsors also included the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.  Participants included CCAM member companies and academic partners.

Fagan moderated a panel on “Industrial Challenges,” with participating organizations Siemens Energy, Rolls-Royce, NASA Langley Research Center and Newport News Shipbuilding.   Dr. Barry Johnson, University of Virginia, moderated a “Research Challenges” session with panelists from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia.

CCAM is based at a state-of-the-art facility in Prince George County, Va., that provides production ready advanced manufacturing solutions to member companies across the globe.  Members guide the research, leveraging talent and resources within CCAM and Virginia’s top universities through a collaborative model that enables them to pool research and development efforts to increase efficiencies.

CCAM’s work in advanced manufacturing and surface engineering bridges the gap between research and commercialization, accelerating technology into markets and demonstrating technology to address real issues.  CCAM industry and government members include Canon Virginia Inc., Chromalloy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik Coromant, Siemens, Sulzer Metco, Aerojet, Blaser Swisslube, Hermle Machine Co., Mitutoyo, Paradigm Precision, Buehler, Cool Clean Technologies, GF AgieCharmilles, Mechdyne, National Instruments, and NASA Langley Research Center.

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About CCAM
CCAM is an applied research center that provides production-ready advanced manufacturing solutions to member companies across the globe. Members guide the research, leveraging talent and resources within CCAM and at Virginia’s top universities, through a collaborative model that enables them to pool R&D efforts to increase efficiencies. Results can then be applied directly to the factory floor, turning ideas into profit faster and more affordably than ever before. CCAM is located in a state-of-the-art research facility in Prince George County, Virginia. For more information, visit www.ccam-va.com.

Media Contact:
Cathy Gedvilas
718-974-9595
Cathy_gedvilas@sequa.com