The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program and the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) hosted their annual summit in Danville, Virginia, on April 29–30, 2025, uniting over 450 industry leaders, educators, and Navy officials to address workforce and manufacturing shortfalls in Navy shipbuilding and repair. Themed “All Hands on Deck,” the event highlighted ATDM’s 16-week training program, which has trained over 1,000 workers since 2022, and AM CoE’s advancements, reducing part production lead times from 40 weeks to 19 days for submarine and ship components. The summit showcased the groundbreaking of the ATDM Maritime Training Center, set to train 1,000 workers annually by 2026, and partnerships with the Navy, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and Virginia’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement. Discussions focused on scaling additive manufacturing and CNC machining skills to meet a $50 billion naval defense market, with 5,000 new jobs projected by 2030. Rear Adm. Joseph Hornbuckle emphasized the summit’s role in “building a resilient industrial base” amid global supply chain challenges and President Trump’s 10% tariffs, supporting Virginia’s 60,000-strong defense manufacturing workforce.

For the precision machining industry, the summit underscores the critical role of spindle speed in naval component manufacturing. Producing ship and submarine parts, such as propeller shafts and valve bodies, requires CNC milling with optimized spindle speeds, typically 5,000–20,000 RPM, to achieve precise cuts and surface finishes for high-strength alloys. Proper spindle speed settings on 5-axis milling machines ensure efficient material removal while maintaining tolerances within ±0.001 inches, supporting automated production with real-time quality control. The summit’s workforce training and AM integration drive demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and hybrid manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this initiative creates opportunities for suppliers in Virginia, where manufacturing jobs have grown 2% since 2022, strengthening defense supply chains.

Source:

Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Press Release, May 1, 2025

Source:

StreetInsider

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is buzzing about the ATDM & AM CoE Summit, with posts on May 18, 2025, calling it a “vital step” for Navy manufacturing. Users praised the 5,000 jobs and training center, with one noting “Danville’s defense hub grows,” while another tied it to “reshoring shipbuilding.” The excitement reflects optimism for workforce and economic growth.

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#ATDMSummit #AMCoE #SpindleSpeed #PrecisionMachining #NavyShipbuilding #DefenseManufacturing