As Virginia’s hub for high-performance manufacturing optimization and advancement, the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) equips manufacturers to be globally competitive. The CMA empowers industry to seamlessly integrate emerging technology into their manufacturing processes, boosting efficiency, effectiveness and profitability while maximizing ROI.

Our partners and clients can expect relevant, impactful and deployable ROI-driven results vetted and supported through a vast network of industry experts, all delivered from an organization with decades of hands-on operational experience.

The CMA allows advanced manufacturing companies to

  • Collaborate and enhance processes
  • Deploy advanced manufacturing solutions with maximum return and minimum disruption
  • Improve quality processes, procedures and product outcomes
  • Better understand, plan and manage technology adoption and implementation
  • Facilitate industry evolution into digital and automation strategies and integrations

Partner with the CMA

Inside the CMA

The CMA holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification from the International Organization for Standardization. 

All About optimization

We’re driven by one simple goal: to help industry understand, rationalize and deploy emerging technology. We help our partners and clients apply next-generation solutions rather than solely exploring theory.

The CMA at IALR is the destination for innovative manufacturers ready to optimize their operations and scale. With state-of-the-art facilities and technology, the CMA helps manufacturers accelerate to the next point in their growth cycle, whether they are shifting production to the United States from abroad or ready to expand in Southern Virginia.

We move at the speed of manufacturing, helping our clients and partners to realize competitive advantages that have immediate impact on critical growth metrics such as cost, efficiency, quality, evolution, capacity and growth.

Our cutting-edge technology and industry-leading expertise equip our clients and partners to become and remain globally competitive.

As part of the Manufacturing Advancement division on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), the CMA has access to a variety of workforce training programs and is located adjacent to the Navy’s National Training Center – the home of the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program.

Become a CMA Partner or Client 

The CMA Provides Opportunity for

Existing Industry
  • Emerging technology support
  • Automation integration
  • Professional development
  • Short-term space for process development
  • Collaborative projects
  • Access to technology partners
New Industry
  • Rapid-launch space
  • Technology support
  • Training employees
  • Access to innovation labs
  • Supply chain support
  • Process development
Technology Partners
  • Collaboration with clients and technology partners
  • Technology demonstration
  • Customer relations
  • Business-to-business opportunities

CNC Machining Optimization 

The ISO-certified Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Innovation Lab at the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) provides first-rate process optimization and reliable testing services for manufacturers around the world. Featuring elite equipment, innovative technology and a staff of talented machinists, the Lab supports the creation of subtractive strategies for additively developed parts and enables new and existing businesses to evaluate their processes, develop improvements and incorporate efficiencies without disrupting current operations.

MACHINING OPTIMIZATION SERVICES AT THE CMA

Precision Metrology Services

A 1,448-square-foot, fully equipped Precision Metrology Lab within the CMA provides the integrated inspection capabilities required to validate product quality. Equipped with one of the largest Coordinate Measurement Machines on the East Coast, this measurement lab is ISO-certified and offers National Institute of Standards and Technology-certified inspection. Manufacturers can accurately and affordably measure and certify products while bypassing the costs and hassle of establishing an internal inspection lab.

Metrology Equipment and Services at the CMA

Industry 4.0 Integration Lab

The Industry 4.0 Integration Lab at the CMA is an advanced, autonomous manufacturing work cell equipped with various robots and CNC machines. A self-contained digital ecosystem that demonstrates an end-to-end manufacturing environment, this demonstration site can be customized for specific technology scenarios and automation needs. The lab is ideal for manufacturers interested in optimizing processes and exploring robotics in their own processes.

Automation and Digital Manufacturing at the CMA 

Rapid Launch Space

The IALR campus features several rapid-launch high bay spaces that can be utilized by industry and partners. Featuring both high bay and office and meeting space, these rapid-launch facilities enable businesses to reduce startup times and improve efficiencies while establishing permanent operations. 

Request Launch Space for Your Business

Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

One of the projects housed within the CMA is the U.S. Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). Led by Austal USA and supported by IALR and several other organizations, the AM CoE develops technical data packages—or “recipes”—for using additive manufacturing to create parts needed by the Navy and its suppliers.

Technical Data Package Development 

Manufacturing Optimization

The CMA at IALR is geared toward manufacturing optimization. It helps industry drive emerging technology into their manufacturing processes to help them be more efficient, more effective, more profitable and more impactful. 

 

Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA)
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