Hickenlooper launches Colorado Manufacturing Month

Gov. John Hickenlooper recently attended the Colorado School of Mines and Manufacturer’s Edge to tour the advanced characterization center at the Alliance for the Development of Additive Processing Technologies (ADAPT) on Sept. 3.

While at the event, the governor highlighted that October is Manufacturing Month for the state of Colorado.

“Colorado is home to 6,000 manufacturers that contribute $20 billion to the state’s economy,” Hickenlooper said. “ADAPT is consistent with Colorado’s collaborative culture. It provides our entrepreneurial manufacturers the ability to work closely with university researchers to develop the next generation of technologies.”

ADAPT, a consortium, gives manufacturers the opportunity to exchange the latest information and research about additive and innovative manufacturing technologies. ADAPT’s stakeholders include Edge, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and Fauston Tool.

Companies with ADAPT collaborate with Mines students and researchers to create new technologies. These are then used to speed the qualification and certification of 3-D printed metal parts. These are some of the latest innovations for the manufacturing industry.

“Innovation is the key to survival and growth for small and medium manufacturers,” Heidi Hostetter, vice president at Arvada-based Fauston Tool, said. “Through ADAPT, manufacturers of all sizes looking to incorporate the flexibility of 3-D metal printing into their portfolio will have access to cutting-edge research and help shape the future of the industry.”