Richmond, VA - The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) has unveiled its new 62,000 sq.ft. research facility during a grand opening event yesterday.
CCAM is a public–private collaborative research center that undertakes research critical to the surface technology and advanced manufacturing industries, including laser additive manufacturing.
"The new CCAM manufacturing research center represents the expertise and passion of our industry members and university partners," said Dr. Mike Beffel, CCAM interim president and executive director. "With the goal of bridging the gap between leading edge research and product development, CCAM is at the forefront of new manufacturing processes."
The Prince George County, VA, facility was completed in late 2012 and features computational and engineering research labs, high bay production space for commercial scale equipment, and tools required for research in surface engineering and manufacturing systems.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who has helped further CCAM's research and manufacturing goals, said, "Today's opening of the CCAM research facility marks a pivotal moment for America's global competitiveness. Companies that take the important step to join the CCAM research center in the Commonwealth of Virginia become partners of a one-of-a-kind asset in the U.S., one that drives competitive advantage in the rapidly-transforming advanced manufacturing segment of our nation's economy. The innovations produced at CCAM are cutting-edge, and the new facility will further Virginia as a hub for advanced manufacturing technology and high-skill jobs in the 21st century."
Approximately 50 student interns from Virginia's participating universities – Virginia State University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech – will work alongside industry experts in several research areas at the new facility and in labs around the state.
CCAM industry members include Canon Virginia Inc., Chromalloy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik, Siemens, Sulzer Metco, Aerojet, Hermle Machine Company, Mitutoyo, TurboCombustor Technology Inc., Buehler, Cool Clean Technologies, GF AgieCharmilles, and Blaser Swisslube.
The CCAM facility is located adjacent to the 1,000-acre campus of the Rolls-Royce engine component manufacturing facilities, Rolls-Royce Crosspointe.