Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortium for Aerospace (AMTCA)

Goal: Create a consortium that will advance the aerospace industry in the United States through industry-led collaboration focused on road mapping the contemporary standards to guide advanced manufacturing.

Lead: Ohio Aerospace Institute
22800 Cedar Point Road
Cleveland, OH 44142

Award Number: 70NANB15H076

Federal Funding: $499,994

Project Duration: 24 months

The Ohio Aerospace Institute, in collaboration with SAE International, Alcoa, Lockheed Martin, United Technologies-Aerospace Systems, RP+M, Lorain County Community College, the NASA Glenn Research Center, MAGNET, and the Federal Aviation Administration will form the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortium for Aerospace (AMTCA) to focus on road mapping contemporary standards for advanced manufacturing and production. Already, eight organizations have committed to AMTCA. These key stakeholders are from all levels of the aerospace value chain, including small parts manufacturers to major aerospace primes, academia, federal facilities, and an engineering standards organization.

The objectives of the project are to:

• Develop a roadmap to identify and prioritize the most critical needs concerning aerospace manufacturing.
• Close technology gaps and broaden advanced manufacturing opportunities by focusing on much-needed manufacturing standards, materials databases, and certification processes specific to the aerospace value chain.
• Establish the required standards, procedures and certification processes that will accelerate the implementation and declaration of flight worthiness of aerospace parts and components that are designed, developed fabricated via advanced manufacturing technologies and methods.
• Develop worker training protocols and university courses.

Aerospace manufacturing is a critical sector within the U.S. economy as reflected by the significant trade surpluses, number of jobs, and contributions to overall national security. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the sector employs 500,000 workers in scientific and technical jobs, and supports another 700,000 plus jobs in related fields. In 2012, the U.S. aerospace industry contributed

$118.5 billion in export sales to the U.S. economy. Unlike many other manufacturing sectors, much of the aerospace work is retained within the United States. To continue a strong U.S. presence in aerospace manufacturing, it is imperative that investments be made regarding new advanced manufacturing approaches.

For project information: Dr. Andrew L. Gyekenyesi, (216) 433-8155, Andrew.L.Gyekenyesi [at] nasa.gov (Andrew[dot]L[dot]Gyekenyesi[at]nasa[dot]gov)

Funded Participants:

• Rapid Prototype + Machining (RP+M)
• Lorain County Community College

AMTech Project Manager: Thomas R. Lettieri, (301) 975-3496, thomas.lettieri [at] nist.gov (thomas[dot]lettieri[at]nist[dot]gov)