The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining

Established in 2003, the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) addresses and supports the broad manufacturing and machining needs of the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its suppliers. Since its inception, the NCDMM has continued to expand its network of contacts and alliances to become increasingly involved with the manufacturing and machining issues facing DoD organizations and their contractor community.

The NCDMM’s staff of experienced manufacturing and machining engineers is the nucleus of a world-class team. Appropriate teams of Center engineers work with individual organizations to quickly and efficiently meet the goals of assessing issues, developing solutions to meet those needs and advance capabilities, demonstrating solutions to reduce risk and accelerate implementation, implementing solutions to advance operations, and training personnel to enhance their skills and knowledge base.

The Center has projected financial savings that exceed $478 million to date for companies that have implemented “best” solutions. The NCDMM targets a minimum of 30% cost reduction, but solutions can result in as much as a 70% reduction in fabrication cost. Implementation of these solutions result in improved schedules and lead times, the ability to overcome material and design limitations, and improved quality.

The NCDMM has a vast network of over 80 Alliance Partners that work them to indentify, develop, demonstrate, and deploy new solutions in partnership with the Center. One defense supplier that benefitted from the NCDMM and its Partnership with FARO was McNally Industries of Grantsburg, Wisconsin. McNally is a full service manufacturer providing product design and testing as well as make-to-print manufacturing. After traditionally using an assortment of measuring tools including a fixed CMM, McNally turned to the NCDMM for a recommendation for a solution that was both accurate and fast. Based on the Center’s recommendation, McNally acquired the FARO PowerGage. The Gage allows for accurate measurements to be taken right on the production floor. McNally uses the Gage everyday and inspection times have been reduced and operator error eliminated. They have also gained the ability to send computer generated inspection reports to customers.

The relationships the NCDMM continues to build with its Alliance Partners, the DoD, and, most importantly, its suppliers have a positive impact on the manufacturing operations of these critical companies. The Center provides clear benefits that impact all of us – defense industry suppliers and everyday citizens alike.

Learn more about the NCDMM

Full case study where NCDMM recommends FARO to McNally