Evaluation of the Second National Conference on Manufacturing Technology (1995)

This panel session will provide an overview of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Civilian Industrial

Technology (CCIT) and overviews of the subcommittees on Manufacturing Infrastructure and Advanced Materials Processing. The CCIT oversees and coordinates governmentwide R&D and technology programs that promote industrial competitiveness and economic growth. The 20-minute presentations will be followed by audience discussion.

Representatives of six major industries will summarize key issues within the framework developed by the CCIT Subcommittee on Manufacturing Infrastructure. The 25-minute presentations will be followed by audience discussion.

Wednesday, April 19

8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

In concurrent sessions, workshop groups will evaluate the manufacturing framework proposed by the CCIT Subcommittee on Manufacturing Infrastructure. Each workshop will focus on a specific theme or thrust area, define appropriate public- and private-sector roles, and recommend areas or activities for collaboration. Chaired by one representative from industry and one from government, each session

will begin with context-setting presentations by speakers from industry. Workshops will prepare feedback reports for presentation to the entire conference during the afternoon session.

While members of the workshops prepare their feedback reports, representatives of NIST, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S.

Department of Defense, and the U.S. Secretariat of the international Intelligent Manufacturing Systems program will provide 30-minute overviews of ongoing and planned manufacturing-related activities.

Chairs will summarize the major recommendations reached during the morning's concurrent sessions. To be published in the conference proceedings, the feedback reports will guide subsequent efforts to establish the chief elements of a common manufacturing agenda.

Thursday, April 20

8:30 a.m.–Noon

In parallel 90-minute sessions, representatives of federal agencies will describe the goals and activities of specific manufacturing and technology programs. Additional programs are likely to be added to the list. Participants will be able to attend two entire sessions.

Advanced Technology Program (ATP), John Gudas. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's ATP promotes the economic growth and competitiveness of U.S. business and industry by accelerating the development and commercialization of promising, but high-risk technologies that underlie a wide range of potential applications. The ATP provides support through awards to industry for research and development on enabling technologies.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Ruth Haines. The MEP is a growing nationwide network of manufacturing extension centers that help small and medium-sized manufacturers increase their competitiveness through ongoing technological advancement. NIST is building and coordinating the partnership to provide the critical infrastructure needed by these manufacturers to tap into regional and national sources of information, knowledge, and insight in the use of modern manufacturing technologies.

Manufacturing Science and Technology Program (MS&T), Dan Cundiff. The U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) MS&T program has several objectives, including the development of new or improved manufacturing processes, lowering cost drivers for current and future DOD systems, establishing industrial base capabilities for new technologies, supporting maintenance and remanufacturing needs, and developing infrastructure capabilities for interoperability and technology transfer.

Technologies Enabling Agile Manufacturing (TEAM), Richard Neal. A new industry and government alliance, the U.S. Department of Energy 's TEAM program has been created to support U.S. efforts to meet the manufacturing challenges of today and tomorrow. The program is aimed at developing and deploying technologies that enable companies to respond quickly to dynamic market demands, with the highest-quality products at the lowest possible cost.

Manufacturing Programs Research at the National Science Foundation, Bruce Kramer. An overview will be provided of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its research activities and programs related to advanced manufacturing technology. Topics covered include NSF's technical activities in manufacturing research, particularly with respect to knowledge discovery, knowledge integration, and education and partnerships. Interactions with

industry will also be addressed, including such programs as Engineering Research Centers, Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers, Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry, Transformation to Quality Organizations, and Small Business Innovation Research.

Environmental Technology Initiative (ETI) at the Environmental Protection Agency, Brendan Doyle. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promoting the development, commercialization, and use of environmental technology. ETI will improve environmental quality while fostering the creation of new jobs and businesses. The initiative is coordinated by an Innovative Technology Council (ITC) that is made up of more than 50 EPA staff members, along with representatives from other federal agencies. The ITC is adapting EPA's policy making and regulatory framework to encourage innovation and promote adoption and commercialization of new technologies with the potential to deliver economic and environmental benefits.

Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS), Andy Wan. The IMS is an international partnership in the pursuit of manufacturing excellence. Involving 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, and Australia, it is an industry-led alliance among industry, academia, and governments. Now accepting proposals and organizing project-focused R&D consortia, the Department of Commerce 's U.S. IMS Secretariat is coordinating the 10-year IMS partnership. The Coalition for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems is an industry group coordinating the participation of the U.S. companies, and the Academic Coalition for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems is coordinating university participation.

Agility Form. Since 1991, the Agility Forum located at Lehigh University has been the nation's facilitator of information on all aspects of agile research, development, and deployment. With funding from the National Science Foundation and Advanced Research Projects Agency, and in partnership with dozens of corporations and organizations from all over the country, the Forum exists to assist the U.S. enterprises to become more competitive in an ever-changing global marketplace by disseminating an understanding of agility and facilitating its deployment.