Cooperation between global manufacturing companies, research universities and expert engineers and scientists under one roof is a formula for success for The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) located in Virginia.
CCAM is a research-based collaboration between the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and manufacturing companies worldwide. Manufacturers join CCAM as members and guide research leveraging both university faculty and CCAM scientists in two focus areas: surface engineering and manufacturing systems.
CCAM recently completed construction of its new, state-of-the-art, 60,000 square-foot facility in Prince George County, Va., just south of Richmond. The building features computational and engineering research labs in addition to high bay production space for commercial scale equipment and other tools required to explore CCAM’s research focus areas – surface engineering and manufacturing systems.
Earlier this month the group took possession of its 'state-of-the-art research facility' explained David R. Lohr, president and executive director of CCAM.
On Tuesday, three more companies joined the consortium; Buehler, Cool Clean Technologies and GF AgieCharmilles.
“These companies will play a critical role in providing the equipment that will allow our industry and university members to leverage this new research center to turn research into business advantages and we look forward to a lasting and beneficial relationship,” Lohr said.
Headquartered in Lake Bluff, Ill., Buehler is a leading supplier of materials preparation and analysis equipment, consumable supplies and application solutions for manufacturers. The company is outfitting CCAM’s materials preparation lab with key equipment to support research projects and to build relationships with CCAM’s other industry members.
Cool Clean Technologies uses recycled CO2 to provide precision cleaning, machine cooling and materials extraction solutions to manufacturers worldwide. The Minneapolis-based company’s solutions are used across a wide range of industries, including medical, fiber optics, fuels, aviation, solar, electronics and other manufacturing sectors, and they will play key roles in CCAM research projects.
GF AgieCharmilles, a Switzerland-based company operating in more than 50 countries, provides machines, automation solutions and services to the tool and mold making industry and to manufacturers of precision components. Its products range from electric discharge machines, high-performance milling machines and 3D laser surface texturing machines to services, spare parts and automation solutions. GF AgieCharmilles is providing a die-sinking EDM unit for CCAM’s machining cell.
Existing CCAM industry members include Aerojet, Canon Virginia, Chromalloy, Mitutoyo America Corporation, Newport News Shipbuilding, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik Coromant, Siemens and Sulzer Metco. University members include the University of Virginia, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech.