Skip Navigation

Congressman Tom Cole Visits OU’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab

NEWS
Congressman Tom Cole and Scott Chance, field representative for Congressman Cole, with OU faculty, staff and students at OU’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab.
Congressman Tom Cole and Scott Chance, field representative for Congressman Cole, with OU faculty, staff and students at OU’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab. Photo by Travis Caperton.

Congressman Tom Cole Visits OU’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab


By

Chelsea Julian

chelseajulian@ou.edu

Date

Nov. 8, 2024

NORMAN, OKLA. – Congressman Tom Cole met with faculty, staff and students at the University of Oklahoma's Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab in Norman on Tuesday. The lab, known as SAML, supports cutting-edge research and development in high-tech manufacturing and workforce training for federal and industry partners.

"Today's visit underscores the importance of investing in our state's future," Cole said as he toured the lab. "Oklahoma's manufacturing industry is evolving, and institutions like the University of Oklahoma are leading the way in developing the technologies that will power tomorrow's economy."

The Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab is led by the Gallogly College of Engineering and the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute at OU. It is home to a range of advanced technologies, from robotics to 3D printing, and serves as a hub for student research and industry collaboration. OU students, including some Tinker Air Force Base employees, demonstrated how they use the facility's resources to design, test, and refine manufacturing processes.

“The U.S. military and defense industrial base is under constant pressure to accelerate critical equipment repairs, reduce costs, and sustain its legacy systems to maintain combat mission readiness. SAML is working to address these vital needs and support workforce development for the growing defense industry in Oklahoma,” said Col Drew Allen, USAF (Retired), deputy executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute and director of research initiatives in the Office of the Vice President of Research and Partnerships.

OU received an initial $1.8M government grant in 2021 that funded the purchase of a cutting-edge direct metal 3D laser printer that enables on-site manufacturing of metallic (titanium) components used for characterization and analysis, essential for the optimization of advanced manufacturing processes. These tests specifically support processes needed by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base, OU’s key sustainment and modernization strategic partner.

In partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Air Force Research Laboratory, OU received an additional $10M grant in 2023 that expanded its stainless steel 3D manufacturing capabilities for a wide array of aircraft components and parts for the sustainment and advancement for the airworthiness verification of components. 

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.


Recent News

Campus & Community
March 13, 2025

Experts Discuss AI’s Impact on Tribal Data at OU Forum on Technology, Sovereignty

The University of Oklahoma hosted the Ethical Tribal Engagement Series on March 5, bringing together tribal leaders, legal experts and university faculty to discuss the critical intersection of artificial intelligence, data sovereignty and tribal governance.


Campus & Community
March 12, 2025

Santhanam Receives Association for Information Systems Fellow Award

Radhika Santhanam, the Michael F. Price Chair in Management Information Systems in the OU Price College of Business, was recently named a fellow of the Association for Information Systems. The AIS Fellow Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding scientific achievements, service and contributions to the field of information systems.


Campus & Community
March 11, 2025

OU Instructor, Sculptor Helps Shape OU’s Visual Landscape

As a sculpture and drawing instructor in the School of Visual Arts, Sohail Shehada has created an impressive body of work, including more than 15 sculptures on OU’s Norman campus and many private and public commissions.