The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII), driven by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), announced its rebrand to America Makes to kick start a unified, U.S.-based additive manufacturing and 3D printing movement to members only at its second Program Management Review (PMR) Meeting. Also present at the meeting to show his support of the new America Makes identity and represent the expanding 3D desktop printing industry and community was Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot.

“America Makes is a vehicle for NAMII to raise our profile, reach a wider audience to include the hobbyist and the entrepreneur, and ultimately, provide a richer member experience,” said Ralph Resnick, Founding Director of the Institute and NCDMM President and Executive.

The announcement was the accumulation of months of research and brainstorming between NAMII and its strategic partners to evolve the Institute in representing and unifying the entire additive manufacturing and 3D printing community under America Makes. With America Makes, the Institute has a name and a concept that are more effective in communicating its purpose and ambition.

“With America Makes, the goal is to broaden our voice to be more indicative and inclusive of all of the innovative people in our country—whether they are hobbyists or entrepreneurs or they work in industry, academia, and government,” said Ed Morris, Director. “In creating a movement in America Makes beyond a traditional organizational structure, it further unites us as a community and ensures our collective success in both advancing and accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies and increasing our nation’s global economic competitiveness.”

“The importance of encouraging American-made manufacturing is crucial to the economic success of our country,” said Pettis in his talk. “We see 3D printing as a large component of that success, allowing for faster and more productive cycles of innovation and iteration. America Makes is helping U.S.-based companies and entrepreneurs with further understanding and adoption of the tools that are available to them.”

Along with the new look and feel is an upgraded member experience via a new, online digital estate at http://americamakes.us that allows members to collaborate and network with other members; publish and share findings; and search and find answers to tough additive manufacturing questions. The debut marked phase one of the official launch. In the coming days and weeks, the digital estate will reflect phase two, which will feature more community and networking functions.

America Makes

www.americamakes.us