America Makes Releases Member Database

When President Obama announced his plan for a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation it was in hopes of retaining the United States’ competitive advantage in the areas of advanced manufacturing, including additive manufacturing (AM). The pilot program in Youngstown, America Makes, has been quietly humming away bringing together public and private interests to continue to develop AM.

Although no one can deny the value in having America Makes to act as a matchmaker between private and public institutions, giving those institutions an easy way to find and communicate with each other will also help fulfill America Makes’ mission. To that end, it is releasing a searchable, online capabilities database that is available to members only.

“One of the key tenants of America Makes is to foster a highly collaborative infrastructure for the open exchange of AM information and research,” said Kevin Creehan, America Makes deputy director of technology transition. “With the new Capabilities Database, we are enabling our membership community to even more rapidly forge productive partnerships that maximize resources and knowledge and yield real, game-changing innovations for the AM industry.”

The new database acts as a one-stop, easily searchable, online tool for building relationships between members. This includes searches for development teaming, vendors and potential customers.

Over time, America Makes intends to grow the database, including a searchable, sortable view of the entire AM supply chain at large. Eventually the database will also connect with Senvol’s AM database, which focuses on AM systems and materials. Adding in Senvol’s data will offer additional information about non-members to the system.

With most of the big movers and shakers already members of America Makes, this database is likely to encourage the continued growth and development of 3D printing throughout the US. For non-members, perks such as the database act as additional encouragement to join up and become a part of the larger AM community.

Below you’ll find a video about America Makes.

Source: America Makes