Local manufacturers, engineering students and researchers will soon share a roof at 2871 Research Drive in Rochester Hills, where Oakland University and Automation Alley launched the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The facility sits two miles from Oakland University's main campus. It will house Automation Alley's Project DIAMOnD Digital Transformation Center, giving area businesses hands-on access to industrial 3D printers, metal additive manufacturing equipment and workforce training programs. The center relocates from a previous Oakland County site.

Project DIAMOnD (Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing On Demand) connects more than 500 manufacturers and more than 475 industrial 3D printers across Michigan. The network has produced more than 50,000 parts since its launch, according to a joint press release from the two organizations.

"This collaboration gives our faculty and students a place to work shoulder to shoulder with industry on problems that matter," said Dr. Louay Chamra, dean of Oakland University's School of Engineering and Computer Science. "The location, between the campus and the plant floor, is exactly where the next generation of manufacturing talent and research should be developed."

The partnership pairs Oakland University's engineering research with Automation Alley's 4,000-member industry network. The School of Engineering and Computer Science offers bachelor's through doctoral degrees in fields including computer science, mechanical engineering and bioengineering. The Digital Transformation Center provides polymer powder-bed fusion, large-format thermoplastic printing and directed energy deposition metal printing, along with post-processing and inspection tools.

Oakland County funded Project DIAMOnD's $15 million Phase 2 expansion in May 2023, bringing more than 250 local manufacturers into the 3D printing network, according to Oakland County's economic development office. Oakland County Executive David Coulter called the new center "the next chapter" of that investment.

Tom Kelly, Automation Alley's executive director and CEO, said the center formalizes a partnership where "the capabilities of a great engineering college and the reach of the Project DIAMOnD network come together in one location."

Beyond 3D printing access, the center will support development of "Smart Product Recipes," standardized digital manufacturing instructions that allow consistent production across the distributed network. Applied research in metal additive manufacturing and workforce development programs are also planned.

No opening date has been announced. Oakland University and Automation Alley said they will release details on research initiatives, workforce programs and industry partnerships as the center develops.

Manufacturers interested in the facility can contact Automation Alley spokesperson Brent Snavely at 313-378-6082 or Oakland University's Brian Bierley at 248-370-4346.