Innovative and Collaborative Manufacturing Solutions

Armed with a penchant to learn more about the state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing technology space, Dr. Dean Bartles has established himself as a master collaborator in the niche technology space of advanced manufacturing. Bartles has assisted immensely to advance the “Industry 4.0”, “Smart Manufacturing” advanced manufacturing technologies through the establishment of extensive collaboration ecosystems. He is presently the CEO of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) which he considers to be his “identical twin,” as NCDMM is constantly pursuing the advancement and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies.

" Our years of experience in the advanced manufacturing technology space makes us uniquely qualified to manage our diverse customer portfolios, programs, or standalone projects and achieve successful results. "

Bartles was chosen by NCDMM because of his significant footprint in the advanced manufacturing technology ecosystem. NCDMM’s success has been built on the development of long-term trusted strategic relationships. They have the vision, expertise, and agility to assemble multidisciplinary teams comprised of the right people and partners, collaborating together to leverage the right technology for the development of the right solution. The organization offers the best, unbiased, and innovative solutions that capitalize on their strengths in the advanced manufacturing technology expertise arena. They leverage their diverse and world-class Alliance Partner network, along with industry contacts, to make connections that solve their customers’ challenges. “Our years of experience in the advanced manufacturing technology space makes us uniquely qualified to manage our diverse customer portfolios, programs, or standalone projects and achieve successful results,” says Bartles.

NCDMM’s mission is to deliver optimized manufacturing solutions that enhance the quality, affordability, maintainability, and rapid deployment of existing and yet-to-be developed defense systems and to collaborate with government, industrial, and academic organizations to promote the implementation of best practices to key stakeholders through the development and delivery of disciplined training, advanced technologies, and methodologies. The NCDMM accomplishes this mission through a framework of partnerships consisting of a core technical and administrative team supplemented by an alliance of technology enablers that provide for the rapid progression of advanced material and manufacturing applications to Department of Defense (DoD) systems. This delivery of advanced manufacturing solutions is also supported through the America Makes Institute for Additive Manufacturing. America Makes is the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing (3DP) technology research, discovery, creation, innovation and development of a workforce ready for emerging technology.

AM, sometimes referred to as 3D Printing, is defined as the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies. The primary applications of AM are design/modeling, fit and function prototyping, and direct part production. Around the world, AM is changing the way organizations design and manufacture products.

NCDMM is embarking on a program with several of their Alliance Partners and the Department of Defense to define/characterize the AM ecosystem in the United States, and then to develop the tools needed to assess the “current state” of the Manufacturing Industrial Base/Supply Chain in the United States as it relates to AM. This effort is all encompassing from ideation to reclamation. “We want to develop the ‘How do I start my journey into Additive Manufacturing’ playbook for the Small/Medium Manufacturers. I would define this project using Jim Collin’s speak as a “BHAG” (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) but nevertheless one that I feel NCDMM, along with a few of our key partners, are best suited to undertake,” explains Bartles.