The Center includes three complimentary components designed to accomplish this mission:
- An exceptional technical team having comprehensive knowledge in all facets of AM
- A state-of-the-art development and demonstration facility encompassing all necessary capabilities for analysis, simulation, manufacturing, and characterization
- A network of Center Associates providing a broad perspective of all aspects of AM technology
To achieve the broad perspective necessary for advancing AM technology, the Center also includes government, industry and academic partners having the common goal of advancing and implementing this important technology within the industrial base. Appropriate to AM technology, the Center functions through a cyber-enabled environment drawing upon the collective capabilities of members, while also supporting a central facility for the advancement and demonstration of various AM technologies for innovative design and manufacturing of metallic components and structures.
The Center serves as the Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (AMDF) under the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) Open Manufacturing Program and is the Metals node of America Makes, formerly the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII).