Manufacturing USA Unveils Detroit Facility

Two Manufacturing USA institutes, The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT) unveiled a new facility in Detroit, Mich., which houses LIFT headquarters and the IACMI Vehicles Scale-Up Facility, the research and development hub for the IACMI Vehicles Technology Area. This event capped a near $50 million investment in world-class manufacturing equipment and improvements to the facility, recognizing the future of innovative research in both composites and metals to be done there.

The event was timed to coincide with Manufacturing Day, an annual celebration on October 6. This year, the event included more than 160 Detroit-area K–12 students. The students participating in the event engaged in hands-on STEM events such as building hover-crafts out of compact discs, and creating an automobile out of different materials and testing the characteristics through virtual reality. They also had the opportunity to tour the facility and speak with engineers and Michigan State University engineering students about career options.

IACMI and LIFT’s investments have allowed institute members, partners, and others in the industry to conduct research and development projects in both lightweight metals and advanced composites. It also continues to provide educational spaces for students and adult learners focused on developing careers in the composites and lightweight materials industries.