PFI: Innovation in Precision Manufacturing: New Technology to New Business

该创新合作伙伴关系（PFI）项目是一种II型（A：B）合作伙伴关系，发生在马萨诸塞州阿默斯特大学内，由NSF PFI毕业受资助者（0090521）与其他两个NSF合作伙伴关系支持项目的参与者合作参与（两个I/UCRC）：马萨诸塞州大学和聚合物工业研究中心（Center for University of Massachusetts and Industry Research on Polymers，简称CIRP）成立于1980年，现已毕业，但仍在活跃，和电子设计中心（0332508/0838747）。 精密制造业，主要是中小型企业（SMEs），是马萨诸塞州西部经济基础的重要组成部分，就业人数众多。 该行业目前面临着周期性市场、全球竞争加剧、设施/技术老化和劳动力供应不足的挑战。 2000年实施的PFI计划成功地建立了一个区域工业网络，即区域技术公司（RTC），该拟议计划将大大加强技术转让的可持续性。 该项目将刺激麻省大学的相关新发现转化为几乎没有或没有与研究机构合作经验的中小企业。利用在马萨诸塞大学进行的科学和工程研究，大学和中小企业将合作进行有针对性的和量身定制的研究项目，重点是翻译和应用。麻省大学的设施，最先进的测试和表征设备，以及其工程设计和管理工具，将补充该项目的翻译和应用过程。该计划的预期成果是一个可持续的区域创新基础设施，通过注入新技术，支持精密制造中小企业向新市场的有效转型。 中小企业是美国经济引擎的重要组成部分，为就业增长和经济发展做出了巨大贡献。 对该计划的评估和评估应该导致重要的和可转移的学习。重点是加强与中小企业的技术转让和转化工作，与区域资产建立伙伴关系，以及寻求额外的财政支持，这应确保该计划的影响是有意义的，有记录的，传播和持续的。马萨诸塞州阿默斯特大学（牵头机构），包括研究和参与副校长办公室，研究联络和发展办公室，商业风险投资和知识产权办公室、聚合物科学与工程系、机械与工业工程系、麻省理工学院聚合物工业研究中心、电子设计中心、景观建筑与区域规划系;以及霍利奥克社区学院;私营部门组织：本富兰克林设计与制造公司;州和区域组织：汉普登县区域就业委员会，MA;和区域技术公司（RTC），MA。 其他参与组织和人员包括学术：斯普林菲尔德技术社区学院;和国家和地区组织：经济发展理事会为西马萨诸塞州，和西部群众章国家工具和加工协会（WMNTMA）。

This Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) project is a Type II (A:B) partnership, occurring within the University of Massachusetts Amherst with participation from the NSF PFI graduated grantee (0090521) in collaboration with participants from two other NSF partnership supported programs (both I/UCRCs): Center for University of Massachusetts and Industry Research on Polymers (CUMIRP), which was founded in 1980 and has since graduated but is still active, and e-Design Center (0332508/0838747). The precision manufacturing sector, primarily Small and Mid-sized Enterprises (SMEs), is an important part of the economic base of Western Massachusetts with significant employment. The industry is currently challenged by cyclical markets, increased global competition, aging facilities/technologies and insufficient labor supply. The PFI program which was put in place in 2000 successfully established a regional industry network, Regional Technology Corporation (RTC), and this proposed program will enable significant enhancement and sustainability of technology transfer. This project will stimulate transformation of relevant new discoveries at UMass to SMEs that have little or no experience working with a research institution. Drawing upon the scientific and engineering research conducted at UMass, the university and the SMEs will collaborate on targeted and tailored research projects focused on translation and application. UMass facilities, state-of-the-art testing and characterization equipment, as well as its engineering design and management tools, will complement the project's translation and application processThe expected outcome of this program is a sustainable regional innovation infrastructure that supports effective transformation of the precision manufacturing SMEs to new markets through infusion of new technologies with a flexible and capable workforce. SMEs are a significant part of the U.S. economic engine and have contributed greatly to employment growth and economic development. The evaluation and assessment of this program should lead to important and transferable learning. The focus on enhancing technology transfer and translational work with SMEs, on partnering with regional assets, and on seeking additional financial support should ensure that the impacts of the program are meaningful, documented, disseminated and sustained.Partners at the inception of the project are Academic Institutions: University of Massachusetts Amherst (lead institution), including participation of the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research and Engagement, Office of Research Liaison and Development, Office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property, Polymer Science and Engineering Department, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Center for UMass-Industry Research on Polymers, Center for e-Design, and Department of Landscape Architecture and Region Planning; and Holyoke Community College; Private Sector Organizations: Ben Franklin Design and Manufacturing Company, Inc.; State and Regional Organizations: Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, Inc., MA; and Regional Technology Corporation,(RTC), MA. Other participating organizations and personnel include Academic: Springfield Technical Community College; and State and Regional Organizations: Economic Development Council for Western Massachusetts, and Western Mass Chapter-National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA).