Commonwealth Center For Advanced Manufacturing Unveils New Research And Product Development Facility During Grand Opening

RICHMOND, Va., March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) near Richmond, Va., today unveiled its new 62,000 square foot research facility during a grand opening event.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130325/NY82907 )

"The new CCAM manufacturing research center represents the expertise and passion of our industry members and university partners," said Dr. Mike Beffel, CCAM Interim President and Executive Director.  "With the goal of bridging the gap between leading edge research and product development, CCAM is at the forefront of new manufacturing processes." 

CCAM is a public–private collaborative research center that undertakes research critical to the surface technology and advanced manufacturing industries.

The Prince George County, Va., facility was completed in late 2012 and features computational and engineering research labs, high bay production space for commercial scale equipment, and tools required for research in surface engineering and manufacturing systems.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who has helped further CCAM's research and manufacturing goals, said, "Today's opening of the CCAM research facility marks a pivotal moment for America's global competitiveness.  Companies that take the important step to join the CCAM research center in the Commonwealth of Virginia become partners of a one-of-a-kind asset in the U.S. -- one that drives competitive advantage in the rapidly-transforming advanced manufacturing segment of our nation's economy.  The innovations produced at CCAM are cutting-edge, and the new facility will further Virginia as a hub for advanced manufacturing technology and high-skill jobs in the 21^st century."

Research is currently under way in the areas of surface engineering and new manufacturing systems.  Approximately 50 student interns from Virginia's participating universities – Virginia State University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech – will work alongside industry experts in several research areas at the new facility and in labs around the state.

CCAM industry members include Canon Virginia Inc., Chromalloy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik, Siemens, Sulzer Metco, Aerojet, Hermle Machine Company, Mitutoyo, TurboCombustor Technology Inc., Buehler, Cool Clean Technologies, GF AgieCharmilles, and Blaser Swisslube. University members include Virginia State University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The CCAM facility is located adjacent to the 1,000-acre campus of the Rolls-Royce engine component manufacturing facilities, Rolls-Royce Crosspointe.

About the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing
CCAM is a research-based collaboration between the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and manufacturing companies worldwide. Manufacturers join CCAM as members and guide research leveraging both university faculty and CCAM scientists in two focus areas: surface engineering and manufacturing systems. CCAM recently completed a 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art research facility in Prince George County, Va., adjacent to Rolls-Royce's jet engine components plant. CCAM took occupancy of the research center on September 11, 2012. For more information, visit www.ccam-va.com.

Media Contact:
Cathy Gedvilas
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SOURCE Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing