Performance Update | April - September 2023

Additive Manufacturing Adoption

• Engagement with industry and regulatory authorities including the Department of Defense, GE Additive, and Boeing continued in support of a part production qualification whitepaper to assist industry with the development of qualified factories.
• CoCr (Cobalt Chrome) was selected for further investigation and equivalency studies.
• The curriculum launched based on current skills expressed by regional industry both through anindustry needs survey completed in spring 2023 and the qualitative follow-up through lab staff and internal betatesting.
• Potential suppliers are being evaluated for qualified factory audit beta testing.

Future Factory

• Plans in process for facilitymodifications necessary for the installation of two EDA purchased Modig machines expect in late Spring '24.
• BETA testing of internal GD&T Metrology course & engagementof local manufacturers for desired curriculum modifications.
• Engaged with seven industry partners to focus on training design & development of metrology training partnerships.
• Metrology training has been developed to include industry recognized certifications.
• Smart Manufacturing Industry Leadership Team created, engaging company leaders on the design and availability of Smart Factory training.
• Smart Factory training curriculum development & systems designis in process. Training equipment delivery expected in December 2023. 

HAMR (Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research)

• Program validation studies revealed a need for additional office space within the building.Project scope was increased to include full second floor to address need and provide future personnel growth capacity.
• The increased project scope will be funded by other(non-EDA) funds.
• The revised architectural program & associated project budget was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents May 2023 meeting.
• The code plans were reviewed and accepted by the Office of the State Fire Marshall • Final building exterior materials were selected
• The design team and Wichita State University staff met with the furniture vendor and a/v consultant to finalize design for coordination with the construction documents.

Governance and Evaluation

• U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo site visit, April 11, 2023
• EDA Economic Development Conference, three coalition staff in attendance, Denver, COApril 10-12, 2023 • South Kansas Coalition, Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) inauguralmeeting. May 11, 2023
• Brookings Metro site visit, May 23-24, 2023
• South Kansas Coalition TAP meeting for Kansas Aviation Research & Technical Growth (KART) industry members, June 7, 2023
• Wichita Chamber, DEI Advisory Committee meetings, June 8, 2023 & August 10, 2023.