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Digital Engineering April 2026
In the latest issue of Digital Engineering, we take a look at the latest innovations in design for additive manufacturing, including the use of natural language inputs, social media cosplayers, and AI integration. The issue also includes a feature…
January Special Focus Issue: Design for Additive
In this Special Focus Issue of Digital Engineering, learn about the latest advancements in design for additive manufacturing, including new software tools, additive in automotive, custom medical devices, and more.
The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning (METAL) program announces a new partnership with Michigan Technological University (MTU) to enhance and scale up training opportunities for current and prospective metalworking and manufacturing professionals. Led by IACMI – The Composites Institute with funding from the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program, METAL strengthens and diversifies the U.S. metal manufacturing workforce, focusing on casting, forging and plate rolling, the organizations say.
This partnership will provide hands-on and online workforce training designed to strengthen the casting, forging, and machining industries.
As METAL’s newest hub operator, MTU will deliver METAL’s curriculum, facilitate instructor certification, and launch boot camps and academic pathways tailored to current and future metalworking professionals. MTU will also integrate METAL training into its summer youth programs to offer an introduction to metalworking, metallurgy and materials science to high school students from across the Upper Midwest.
"This partnership builds on Michigan Tech’s deep roots in materials science and engineering, as well as its strategic location in the Upper Midwest, a region vital to the U.S. manufacturing base,” says Lucinda Curry, METAL national workforce manager at IACMI. “Michigan Tech is an ideal partner for this mission, and we’re excited to work together to provide valuable metallurgical training in the manufacturing heartland.”
The MTU hub will implement a stacked curriculum model, which combines interactive online learning with immersive in-person casting and forging boot camps at MTU’s labs. Future educational modules will incorporate training on automation in casting and forging, and will open paths to employment.
"Michigan Tech is proud to be part of METAL’s mission to revitalize and future-proof the American manufacturing workforce," says Alexandra Glover, assistant professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Michigan Tech. "By leveraging our longstanding educational programs focused on metallurgical engineering and strong industry partnerships, we are preparing students with both the foundational and advanced skills needed to thrive in the evolving industrial landscape."
MTU joins a consortium of METAL hubs, including University of Alabama in Birmingham, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
METAL, led by IACMI, is a national initiative providing training in casting, forging, machining and metallurgical processes. Focused on automation and advanced manufacturing, METAL aims to create a skilled, adaptable workforce prepared to meet commercial and defense manufacturing demands.
IACMI – The Composites Institute is a national public-private partnership focused on advancing composite materials and process technologies. Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, IACMI has members from industry, academia, and government.
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences and the arts.
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.
DE's editors contribute news and new product announcements to Digital Engineering. Press releases may be sent to them via [email protected].
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