“Unlike the objective of far too many companies, manufacturing is not about a quick 'exit.' It is centered on long-term value creation.”
– Hamdi Ulukaya
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1. Will CMMC Fix Everything?
No, but it can open doors for new business in the defense industrial base. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is an assessment used to manage security and data risks. The different levels can be a self-assessment or conducted by third parties. This article gets into investment and annual costs for this compliance. Spoiler alert: The process of managing CMMC levels 1,2, and 3 is not that different from managing ISO 9001 or AS 9100.
2. From No-klahoma to OK-lahoma
Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility has developed and pushed manufacturing technology and materials to the bleeding edge. A new partnership with the University of Oklahoma aims to develop technologies for aerospace and defense, focusing on metal and hybrid additive manufacturing, research, machining, data analytics, and workforce training. I guess I now have a reason to visit Oklahoma.
3. Army 3D Prints Drones, Saves Millions
By 3D printing drone targets, the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems University (JCU) cut training costs from $4 million to $360,000 annually – a 91% savings. With student numbers climbing, total savings could hit $12 million. The printed drones also boost training realism, helping soldiers prepare for evolving aerial threats. JCU’s success is spreading across the Army, even as a broader counter-UAS training faces scrutiny.
4. It’s Time We Talk About the Digital Twin
The concept of the digital twin has been around for a while. I remember Lockheed Martin’s presentation on it during IMTS spark back in 2021. The growth in high-performance computing and twin software is driving increased exploration and adoption. But how are companies harvesting value from this technology today, and what does the future look like? At some point in the future, we may talk less about the twin and more about the problems this technology solves.
5. Technology Requires Humans
Humans are the driving force behind the creation and improvement of technology. Adopting new technology is an exercise in value and can be nuanced based on your organizational needs. Where better to get the inside scoop on manufacturing technology than from the creators themselves at AMT Meetups? Go and meet some of the people behind the latest manufacturing technologies. They are cool people – I promise.
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