NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin visited the University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab (SAML) in Norman, which is soon to expand through a new collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. SAML is at the forefront of high-tech manufacturing research and workforce training, serving both federal and industry partners.
"The Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab (SAML) at OU is an incredible asset to the world-class defense industry in Oklahoma," said Senator Mullin. "I am proud of the work they are doing to spur innovation and produce elite products."
The Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab, led by the Gallogly College of Engineering and the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute at OU, is home to a wide and growing portfolio of advanced technologies. It serves as a hub for student research and collaboration with industry leaders. OU students, including some employees from Tinker Air Force Base, showcased how they utilize the lab’s resources to design, test, and enhance manufacturing processes.
“The U.S. military and defense industrial base face constant challenges to speed up critical equipment repairs, reduce costs, and maintain legacy systems to ensure combat mission readiness,” Gen (ret.) Robin Rand, executive director of OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute, said. “SAML is playing a crucial role in meeting these needs while also developing a skilled workforce to support Oklahoma’s growing defense sector.”
SAML was established in 2021 following an initial $1.8 million federal grant to purchase a state-of-the-art direct metal 3D laser printer, enabling the on-site production of metallic (titanium) components used for characterization and analysis that is essential for optimizing advanced manufacturing processes. By supporting these and other advanced manufacturing technologies, SAML combines education, research and development and industry support for the growth of the manufacturing and defense industries in Oklahoma.
Now, the OU’s expanded relationship with Oak Ridge National Lab will expand these capabilities and establish a cutting-edge additive manufacturing center in Norman, which will collaboratively advance research, training and workforce development in metal additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, machining and data analytics.
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.
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