Back in January, we told you how President Barrack Obama had announced the creation of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI). The IACMI is a consortium of 122 organizations that are seeking to improve the way America handles its manufacturing industry. That vision for a new era in US manufacturing officially became a reality in late June, as IACMI finalized its agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy, officially launching the institute. As a charter member, Dassault Systèmes is very excited about the private industry’s future role in revolutionizing the country’s manufacturing capabilities.
The collaborative group of private companies, nonprofit organizations, universities and research laboratories will be working to support and encourage the development of advanced composite materials, such as carbon fiber. The development of these materials could lead to a revolution in American manufacturing practices across a variety of industries, such as the automotive, construction, and energy industries. Although these composite materials already exist, IACMI is seeking ways to make manufacturing them on a large scale more energy efficient, low-cost, and accessible. Dassault Systèmes’ design software and expertise is going to play a pivotal role in bringing these materials to market, as manufacturers will need to adapt to the specifications and capabilities of these new materials within their products.
The U.S. government, private companies and several universities are dedicated to bringing the manufacturing industry into the future and innovating new ways to explore advanced composites. This research will give U.S. businesses a leg up within the global economy and allow them to bring more manufacturing to the U.S. During a time when many products are stamped with the familiar “Made in China,” attracting manufacturers back to the U.S. would be a huge win for the country. The institute has been given $70 million in federal funding and over $180 million in nonfederal funds for their research.
“Dassault Systèmes is proud to be a charter member of IACMI and will have the honor to work alongside partners in the non-profit sector, universities, national laboratories and private industry, as well as the Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office to enable innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. manufacturing sector and drive the development of more efficient products,” said Bruno Latchague, Senior Executive Vice President, Americas Market and Global Sales Operations of Dassault Systèmes, back in January.
The main IACMI team is located in Tennessee, run by a non-profit connected to the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. We can’t wait to see the role Dassault Systèmes will play in helping to advance manufacturing, from the exploration of new materials, to the quest for products made from clean energy.
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