NCDMM Enhances CORE Platform, Debuts Roadmapper 2.0 Data Tool

The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) recently introduced the enhanced features of the America Makes Core platform and unveiled its latest data dissemination tool, Roadmapper 2.0. America Makes’ CORE is a secure online platform designed to help members identify, access and utilize intellectual capital assets that align with its Technology Development Roadmap. Complementing CORE, Roadmapper 2.0 is NCDMM’s newest tool for sharing interactive, digital road maps.

Members of America Makes from industry, academia, government and nongovernment agencies as well as workforce and economic development organizations can utilize the enhanced platform to facilitate projects aimed at innovating and accelerating additive manufacturing (AM) to increase the nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness.

“CORE is the centerpiece of America Makes’ larger digital presence. It contains the collective knowledge gained from over $500 million in funded research efforts as part of America Makes’ public-private partnership with Manufacturing USA,” says Jason Saly, NCDMM director of IT and Cloud Services. This secure platform allows us to search through a vast array of files, deliverables and metadata accumulated over the years.”

Since its launch last year, CORE has undergone several updates, including a mobile-friendly version to enhance usability and a robust custom reporting feature with an advanced filtering system, enabling the creation of detailed reports.

“Our IT team has also streamlined the process for members to access, edit and contribute to project deliverables,” Saly adds. “We’ve also introduced the capability to upload artifacts and link them directly to existing deliverables from other projects, a function previously unavailable.”

Looking ahead, the IT team plans to further enhance CORE’s capabilities, including collaborating with Penn State University to support large file uploads while minimizing the need for large dataset downloads. Members can anticipate new features such as the ability to follow specific projects and receive updates when new information is added. Additionally, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) search functionality will be developed, leveraging CORE’s extensive library of metadata, files and deliverables.

“Generative AI can uncover unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated topics, providing insights that traditional searches might miss,” Saly explains. “Imagine a search engine that truly ‘understands’ additive processes, manufacturing, material design and even past behaviors. Generative AI brings us closer to that reality.”

Roadmapper 2.0 was officially introduced to America Makes members and partners at the 2024 Members Meeting and Exchange (MMX) on August 7 in Youngstown, Ohio. This new tool enables companies and organizations to collaborate in a user-friendly environment, monitor project progress in real time and identify needs to ensure meaningful contributions.

Joe Veranese, vice president and chief information officer at NCDMM, notes that this tool was designed to make the roadmapping process dynamic and actionable. “Roadmaps will no longer be just case studies collecting dust on a shelf,” Veranese says. “This tool enables users to actively explore and analyze the targeted landscape, truly operationalizing data in ways that were previously impossible.”

Described as a strategic compass, Roadmapper 2.0 guides stakeholders toward their desired outcomes. “Unlike detailed project plans, Roadmapper offers a high-level overview of strategic initiatives, avoiding unnecessary details,” says Joey DiNinno, NCDMM IT security specialist. “We developed Roadmapper 2.0 from scratch, using modern web technologies and user interface elements. Its lightning-fast interface, integrated with Member Portal credentials, brings us closer to our vision of a unified web platform for all NCDMM and America Makes tools.”

The organization says that one of the key features of Roadmapper 2.0 is its seamless integration with CORE, enabling members to map out entire project needs within a single platform. Users can link individual or multiple requirements from CORE deliverables to Roadmapper. Overall, Roadmapper 2.0 serves as a communication tool for disseminating future work plans, aligning stakeholders and cross-functional teams and enhancing understanding of resource utilization.

“This is just the beginning of what’s possible with Roadmapper 2.0,” DiNinno says. “Its design, organizational capabilities and flexibility will ultimately lead to greater efficiency in project planning, teaming and customization of road maps to achieve an organization’s goals.”

America Makes is the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute. As the national accelerator for AM, America Makes is the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in AM and 3DP technology research, discovery, creation and innovation. Structured as a public-private partnership with member organizations, it is working together to innovate and accelerate AM to increase our nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness.

NCDMM focuses on delivering innovative and collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance the nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness. The organization has extensive knowledge and depth in commercial and defense manufacturing areas to continually innovate, improve and advance manufacturing technologies and methodologies. Its team specializes in identifying the needs, players, technologies and processes to attain optimal solutions for its customers. It manages America Makes, AMARII, AMIIC and El Paso Makes, and is a subsidiary of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group Inc.