FCMF students at ACE training
FCMF students at ACE workshop
The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Industrial Policy (IndPol) is enabling work in machine tools technology development for America’s Cutting Edge (ACE). This DoD-led initiative, funded through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, aims to revitalize the U.S. machine tool sector through transformative thinking, technology, and training. ACE has partnered with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) to deliver machining workforce training. As part of ACE, the FCMF has set up a HAAS VM-3 and Kuka robot machining centers to train and connduct research in composites machining and machine tools. In Summer 2021, the first of a series of workshops was offered to a team of 20 undergraduate students. The week long ACE-IACMI training covers – (a) basics of constituent materials – fibers, resins & composites; (b) basics of composites machining, (c) concept part and CAD creation, (d) machining of 2-cavity tool, (d) manufacturing of the composite part via injection or compression molding and (d) post-machining parts and quality inspection / NDE. To learn more or sign up for a workshop, please contact Vanina Ghossein, vghossei@utk.edu