We Bring People Together to Turn Ideas into Reality
The 17 institutes in the Manufacturing USA network are home to collaborative manufacturing innovation spaces, where members from industry, academia and government gain perspective from each other and solve America's manufacturing challenges. They work jointly to advance technological innovations toward commercial viability through process transformations and by overcoming technical challenges. This effort ensures American inventions are scaled-up and turned into American Made products.
These collaborative spaces are fostering fresh approaches to innovation that are:
- Shaping the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0
- Powering new ways to build things with lightweight materials, additive manufacturing and more
- Building the factory of the future to capture data and leverage AI
- Using VR to quickly build competency in STEM-related careers
Our shared manufacturing innovation mission
Manufacturing an Important Piece of Our Future
It costs a lot of money to drive innovation in manufacturing, yet three-quarters of U.S. manufacturers have fewer than 20 employees. That is why the institutes of the Manufacturing USA network are so vital to ensure the United States continues to be an innovator when it comes to how things are made. See how the institutes are targeting challenges that are just too big for any one manufacturer to face and working on applied R&D to get solutions in the hands of the U.S. manufacturing community to maintain competitiveness in an ever changing environment. Technology advancements the institutes and their members make today will lead to new industries, products, and trained workers - now and into the future.
Take a peek into manufacturing innovation in action
Witness the Future of Additive Manufacturing
Watch how manufacturers are accelerating the adoption of 3D printing technology.
Get Up Close with Data-Driven Manufacturing
See the digital factory of the future harness data to unlock business value from machines.
See How VR Can Be Used to Train Skilled Workers
Learn how an immersive virtual reality experience delivers real-time assessments for training robotic technicians.
Learn About Creating Advanced Fibers
See how AFFOA's Fabric Discovery Centers provide product designers and engineers with the access to world-leading technology for end-to-end services, from prototyping to integrating semiconductor device fibers into textiles.
Take a Tour of the High Bay
Take a self-guided tour of the LIFT High Bay in Detroit. It is the national premiere advanced materials development facility featuring full-scale equipment and a showcase for smarter manufacturing. You can also explore this space in your VR Headset.
Explore Integrated Photonics with a Virtual Simulation
Use the browser-based tools to explore the fundamentals of integrated photonics. You can adjust the key parameters for each circuit component, such as guided waveguide modes, mode coupling, and resonant cavities.