NCMS, GE and MEDC Partner to Bring Advanced Modeling & Simulation to Manufacturers
- Partnership between National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, GE, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation will provide small- and mid-size manufacturers access to critical tools.
- Inaugural center promoting advanced digital manufacturing to open in Michigan in early 2013.
- Additional centers, connected by a collaborative national innovation network, to follow across the nation.
Ann Arbor, Mich. – November 13, 2012 – The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) announced today that it has partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to establish the first innovation center in a national grid that will accelerate manufacturing in Michigan and across the country by providing easy access to digital modeling and simulation tools for businesses.
GE’s AMSTC in Van Buren Township, MI
GE’s Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center, located outside of Detroit, will host the first NCMS Predictive Innovation Center (PIC). Through this effort, Michigan companies will forge a path to increased global competitiveness, by providing manufacturers with a virtualized approach to building that combines high performance modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A), data mining tools, and the digitization of processes to optimize speed, reliability, and efficiency.
“When you talk about creating jobs and growing the economy in Michigan, these are the kind of long-range opportunities that will really make a difference,” said Rick Jarman, president & CEO of NCMS. “With the help of this center, small- and mid-size manufacturers will be able to deliver solutions faster, and expand their supplier reach to large companies. It is incredible to imagine the hundreds of small companies in Michigan that will have the potential to grow as a result of this premier facility.”
Steve Reagan of L&L Products, Inc. (Left) with Chris Fick, NCMS (Right)
“Michigan manufacturers – and the talented workers they employ – help make our state a global center of innovation,” Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Michael A. Finney said. “We are proud to support efforts like this that cement our manufacturing dominance and help our businesses compete, grow, and create new jobs.”
MEDC has provided a grant for the creation of the center, which is matched with industry support from NCMS members. The premier center will be open to the public in the first quarter of 2013.
About NCMS:
The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, the largest cross industry collaborative Research & Development consortium in North America, is dedicated to driving innovation in commercial, defense, robotics and environmentally sustainable manufacturing. NCMS has over 25 years of experience in the formation and management of complex, multi-partner collaborative R&D programs, and is backed by corporate members representing virtually every manufacturing sector. For more information on NCMS, visit http://www.ncms.org/
NCMS rolled out its plan to revitalize American manufacturing in 2011, forming the Digital Manufacturing Strategic Interest Group (DM SIG), a collaboration of hardware and software providers, industry, and academia, collectively advising development of a national grid for manufacturers, a physical and virtual collaborative environment to drive adoption of essential 21st century tools. For more information on NCMS’ digital manufacturing initiative please visit http://www.ncms.org/index.php/programs/digital-manufacturing-initiative/.
About GE:
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com.
VIDEO: “A Sign of Goodness”
- Produced by The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
