America Makes

America Makes 14th Annual was sold out! We could not create this dynamic members meeting and exchange, where innovation and collaboration meet, without our generous sponsors. Thank you all of our sponsors who helped make 2026 our biggest event yet. We look forward to 2027!

Gold sponsors: EOS | JEOL USA
Silver Sponsors: BG Workforce | Elementum 3D | Humtown | Oqton | PES | SME | YKK

America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) are proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Department of War (DoW) Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Challenge, with awards totaling up to $15M. This effort is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of War, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSW ManTech).

Developed in partnership with our fellow Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs), the challenge is accelerating advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) and related technologies to strengthen defense manufacturing modernization.

The selected projects address critical OIB needs, including:
▪️Digital operations technology
▪️AI‑driven robotic process planning
▪️In‑situ quality monitoring
▪️Reduced exposure to operational hazards
▪️Lower manufacturing and sustainment costs
▪️Pilot lines for emerging military products
▪️Mobile and large‑surface automation

Winners: Honeywell | HRL Laboratories | Machina Labs | Accenture Federal Services | Stratasys | REM Surface Engineering

Closing these technology gaps is essential to bolstering national security and ensuring a resilient, responsive defense industrial base capable of meeting DoW’s evolving mission needs.

Read,

America Makes Announces Winners of OIB Modernization Challenge - America Makes YOUNGSTOWN, OH — America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) are proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Department of War (DoW) Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Challenge, with awards up to $15M. The challenge is funded by the Office of the U...

It's and we're thrilled to welcome one of our new , SeAH Superalloy Technologies.

SeAH Superalloy Technologies is an advanced materials manufacturer of high-performance nickel-based superalloy metal powders for additive manufacturing and cast ingots for critical industrial applications. Serving the aerospace, defense, space, and energy sectors, SeAH combines advanced metallurgy with domestic manufacturing to deliver high-quality materials that support next-generation manufacturing and strengthen the U.S. supply chain. Discover more, seahsuperalloys.com

Check out our diverse member community, https://bit.ly/4axSkMG

That's a wrap on !

Our last session began with a strong conversation from Kimberly Gibson, America Makes, where she discussed "America Makes: Industrial Base Integration Update." Kimberly was joined by Michelle Meyer, Matter Providers and Andy Davis, The Barnes Global Advisors who discussed opportunities for AM stakeholders to join the Supply Chain and Policy Working Groups.

Megan Malara Ph.D. from the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, and explored its ability to grow the economy, talent pipeline, draw in new companies and those wishing to expand into the defense and aerospace landscape in Northeast Ohio

Edward Herderick Ph.D. from America Makes provided an update on the institute's Education & Workforce Development strategy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Youngstown, OH! Looking forward to seeing you in 2027!

Another session is complete! 🎉

Ben DiMarco from America Makes kicked things off by sharing updates on the Technology Transition within America Makes.

Sponsors were then able to provide short remarks highlighting their company. The sponsors included:
EOS, SME, BG Workforce, Product Evaluation Systems, YKK Corporation, and Oqton.

CWO3 Matt Pine took the stage and shared his impactful insights on "Lessons Learned in sUAS Production."

This session ended with a conversation from Debra Zides and Alex Cocco from MITRE, where they discussed, "From Print Bed to Program of Record: Going Beyond TRL to Accelerate Advanced Manufacturing Transition."

One more session to go!

Our morning session is complete! 🎉

Victoria Blair from Warfighting Investments, Resourcing, and Ex*****on (WIRE) Directorate, opened this session with her discussion on the WIRE Directorate Overview.

Ben Ferrar from M²F provided his thought provoking insights on "Add to Cart: Rockets from Alibaba, 3-5 Business Days."

Andrew Thompson, Northrop Grumman and Steven Floyd, Floyd Technology Consulting, closed this session discussing the "Roadmap Advisory Group (RMAG) Update and Composites Roadmap."

Stay tuned for our afternoon sessions!

🎉Day 2 of has officially kicked-off!

Pasha B. from Anduril Industries opened the session with a dynamic presentation on "The Arsenal-1 Thesis: How Anduril is Reviving Defense Manufacturing at Scale."

's Brian Schmidt moderated the panel discussion, "Joint Additive Qualification for Sustainment – Supplier Qualification (JAQS-SQ) Project Briefing." He was joined by Mark Shaw, Wichita State University – National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR); Kyle Cobb, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering; Evan Handler, Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division; Elisa Peters, Office of the Under Secretary of War ManTech; Rachel Levine, Additive Consulting & Engineering.

Kyle Cobb continued the session with his insights on "JAMWG Mission, Values, and How to Engage."

Theodore Gronda concluded the morning session with his discussion on "Government Perspective from NAVAIR: Current and Future State."

🎉 Celebrating Excellence in Additive Manufacturing!🎉

America Makes is proud to announce the recipients of our 2026 Ambassador Awards and Distinguished Collaborator Award, recognized during this year’s Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX).

The Ambassador and Distinguished Collaborator Award Programs honor individuals who go above and beyond in advancing America Makes and its mission. The 2026 class of Ambassadors represents a vibrant cross-section of the additive manufacturing (AM) industry—leaders whose dedication has propelled AM technology forward and reinforced the collective strength of our community. Their achievements reflect meaningful progress in technology innovation, industrial base growth, and workforce development.

The Distinguished Collaborator Award recognizes a trailblazer in manufacturing innovation—someone whose vision and commitment have accelerated the adoption of advanced technologies and strengthened the nation’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees—and thank you for your outstanding dedication to accelerating the future of AM! 🚀 Read, https://bit.ly/3Sc85Ww

That’s a wrap on day one! Our sold‑out crowd brought incredible energy and made the event even more exciting.

We closed the day with an excellent presentation from Douglas from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), who discussed “Roll With the Changes: Industrial Competitiveness in a New Manufacturing Era.”

We’re thrilled for what’s ahead, stay tuned!

The afternoon session has begun!

To start off this session, sponsors were able to provide short remarks highlighting their company. The sponsors included Humtown, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Elementum 3D, and Jeol USA.

Brandon Ribic, Ph.D., Technology Director at America Makes, delivered an update on the organization’s latest technological developments.

The session continued with insights from GE's Ken Hix, who discussed "The Journey Toward Serial Production of Airworthy Additive Parts."

Edward Herderick, Ph.D., Education & Workforce Development Director at America Makes, moderated the panel discussion "3D Printing for Drones." The panelist included, Harry Sullivan, Strongpoint Labs; Matt Pine, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Innovation Campus; Devan Siler, United States Air Force, Air Mobility Command.