CCAM unveils research, product development facility

The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) near Richmond, Va., a research-based collaboration among the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, and manufacturing companies worldwide, has unveiled its new, 62,000-sq.-ft. research facility.

The public–private collaborative research center conducts research critical to the surface technology and advanced manufacturing industries. It features computational and engineering research labs, high-bay production space for commercial-scale equipment, and tools required for research in surface engineering and manufacturing systems.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has helped further CCAM's research and manufacturing goals, said, "Companies that take the important step to join the CCAM research center in the Commonwealth of Virginia become partners of a one-of-a-kind asset in the U.S. — one that drives competitive advantage in the rapidly transforming advanced manufacturing segment of our nation's economy."

Approximately 50 student interns from Virginia's participating universities will work alongside industry experts in several research areas at the new facility and in labs around the state.