News

Top 10 Notable Highlights from 2024

Events Facilitate Engagement, Collaboration

In Fiscal Year 2024, America Makes reaffirmed its dedication to the AM community by hosting four key events: the fall Technical Review and Exchange (TRX) in Knoxville, TN; the spring TRX in Golden, CO; a special TRX@RAPID in Los Angeles, CA; and our signature Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX) event in Youngstown, OH. With over 1,900 participants, these gatherings brought together leaders from industry, academia, and government, creating a dynamic space for collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Through these events, America Makes delivered valuable insights, empowering its community, sparking innovation, and driving progress across the AM sector.

Institute Impact, Projects, Membership 

From October 2023 to September 2024, over $67M in project funding was obligated to America Makes members and their project teams to drive the AM Industry forward. The funding was provided through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD(R&E)), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) reflecting the Institute’s investment in accelerating AM growth.

In addition, the Institute welcomed 47 new members, launched 57 additional projects, had over 10,000 individuals participating in Education and Workforce Development projects or activities, uploaded 437 deliverable artifacts into CORE, and published 46 thought leadership pieces to share insights and advancements.

Videos Highlight Strategic Partnerships with Military Services 

In collaboration with the Government Program Management Team and Military Service Public Affairs, America Makes launched a two-part video series highlighting our strategic partnership with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The initiative showcases the Institute and AM’s role in advancing defense missions, strengthening military leadership, and growing the workforce. The videos, “Aim Higher with America Makes” (U.S. Air Force, AFRL), and “Adapt, Learn, and Overcome with America Makes” (U.S. Navy), were released on March 20 and April 8, respectively.

JDMC Assesses Institute’s Impact  

On April 4-5, America Makes hosted the Joint Defense Manufacturing Council (JDMC) Review, which brought together senior leaders from crucial defense agencies, including the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), as well as representatives from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, Missile Defense Agency, Defense Contract Management Agency, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The review was held onsite at the America Makes headquarters in Youngstown, OH.

During the review, the Council evaluated the Institute’s impact since its inception in 2012 through stories told during member panel discussions and video testimonials. This engagement generated valuable feedback and recommendations that will guide the Institute’s future strategic initiatives.

America Makes Launches AMJobs  

America Makes, in partnership with CAST, introduced AMJobs—a free, digital tool to enhance access to diverse AM career opportunities, support industry growth, and promote talent development. As a key component of the Institute’s education and workforce (EWD) initiative, the development of AMJobs was guided by insights from critical stakeholders, including educators and K-12 students. Their contributions were instrumental in designing the platform to meet the needs and priorities of individuals seeking careers in the additive industry and to build robust talent pathways. Read MORE.

America Makes Unveils New Industrial Base Integration Strategy  

America Makes, in partnership with Deloitte Consulting, developed a first-of-its-kind Industrial Base Integration Strategy to enhance engagement among diverse stakeholders in AM. The strategy establishes a framework for organizing network efforts by incentivizing focused modes of participation. Recognizing that industry, government, and small and large businesses all have different needs, five Strategic Swim Lanes were defined that embody a unified approach to engage the broad industrial base. According to Kimberly Gibson, Industrial Base Integration Director at America Makes, “the development of this strategy provides the Institute with a framework to structure its collaborative efforts, harmonize activities and approaches across pillars of the Institute, and chart a path toward a future state.”

Several key opportunities have been identified to support long-term success in the AM sector and maximize impact when executing the strategy, including building an integrated team, facilitating transitions, creating funding pathways, and strengthening partnerships. Read MORE.

New Executive Committee Elected 

In September, America Makes proudly elected its 2024-26 Executive Committee to drive the Institute’s strategic vision forward. This dynamic committee includes three appointed government representatives and eight elected members from critical sectors to include industry, academia, and workforce development organizations. Together, they will be essential in advancing our mission, boosting member engagement, and establishing robust strategies, policies, and advocacy. With their leadership, America Makes is poised to accelerate the adoption of AM and strengthen the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness. Read MORE.

Gaps Progress Report Released 

On April 24, America Makes, in partnership with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), announced the release of a Gaps Progress Report, highlighting strides made over nine months by standards developing organizations (SDOs) in addressing gaps from the Additive Manufacturing Standardization Roadmap, Version 3.0. This report provides key updates on standards, research, and conformity assessment activities while capturing suggestions for refining current gaps and identifying new ones for future roadmaps, underscoring the importance of ongoing innovation and collaboration in the AM sector. Read MORE.

America Makes Introduces Member Spotlight Series  

America Makes enhanced membership visibility with the launch of its monthly Member Spotlight series highlighting leaders in AM. Each edition showcases members’ innovative solutions and projects, celebrating their contributions to driving industry progress. This initiative emphasizes the vital role our members play in advancing AM and provides a platform to share significant advancements and achievements with the broader community.

Each article, written by Eartha Hopkins, America Makes Content Coordinator, reflects our dedication to fostering collaboration within the AM community. Read all Member Spotlights HERE.

CORE Platform Enhanced, Roadmapper 2.0 Debuts  

America Makes announced the latest enhancements to its CORE platform during the 2024 MMX event, and in conjunction with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing (NCDMM), debuted Roadmapper 2.0 – an advanced data dissemination tool that increases member engagement by simplifying the contribution process and fostering collaboration. Since its launch in 2023, CORE has undergone several updates, including a mobile-friendly version to enhance usability and a robust custom reporting feature with an advanced filtering system, enabling the creation of detailed reports. With improved features and reliable access to the latest datasets, Roadmapper 2.0 complements the CORE platform, promoting partnerships and facilitating information sharing, while driving innovation and progress throughout the AM industry. Read MORE.