WEATHERFORD, TX — The Coordinate Metrology Society and UNC Charlotte received an Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia Grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department.

The AMTech Grant is one of 16 awards totaling $7.8 million, which are dedicated to accelerating growth of advanced manufacturing in the United States. These industry-driven coalitions will focus on developing and executing strategic plans to solve common technology challenges. The CMS-UNC Charlotte team will form a consortium for Large-Scale, Precision Manufacturing Innovation (CLPMI). This group will identify and prioritize the technology needs of the aerospace, defense, energy and other industries that manufacture large-scale, high accuracy parts and products. Established in 1984, the Coordinate Metrology Society is the eminent membership association for measurement professionals that use close-tolerance industrial coordinate measurement systems, software and peripherals.

UNC Charlotte recently opened the doors of their new Siemens Energy Large Manufacturing Solutions Laboratory located within the University’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center.

The laboratory will be used to support collaborations of industry and academia in their research and development of next generation manufacturing technologies.

Since 2010, the Coordinate Measurement Society has organized large, interactive measurement studies each year at their annual conference. The objective of the measurement study series is to engage the metrology community in the practical methodology and best practices required to support certified operators and programmers. These studies have been used to develop and support the organization's certification programs that verify the knowledge and ability of portable 3D metrologists performing close-tolerance measurements in industry and science.

“The CMS-UNC Charlotte alliance is a natural progression of our charter to foster the advancement of three-dimensional measurement throughout industry. The Coordinate Metrology Society is the one association that connects all of the industry players end users, OEMs, software developers and service providers involved in large-scale manufacturing endeavors," states Ron Hicks, CMS Past Chair and AMTech Committee Chair. "In partnership with UNC Charlotte, we can set an exciting course toward solving technical obstacles and breaking ground for future innovations. We look forward to the next two years and the practical knowledge to be gained during this trailblazing project."

Established in 2013, the NIST AMTech Program reinforces strategic partnerships between U.S. industry, academia and government. The program strives to form new industry-led consortia and strengthen existing ones with the aim of tackling shared technical barriers to the growth of advanced manufacturing. NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology to enhance economic security and improve quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov.