A Dynamic Hub. A Catalyst for Growth.
Advanced manufacturing is a natural evolution for an area ripe with possibilities. The nation’s supply chains have gaps that advancements in additive technologies can rapidly fill. Access to leading-edge advanced machinery can help small to medium businesses (SMBs) produce the custom parts needed in aerospace, defense, and other key industries to meet demands. InSPIRE is helping usher potential solutions into real-world product lines by working with industry experts, partners, suppliers, and contractors from concept through to delivery. Advanced manufacturing is the foundation of InSPIRE’s entire ecosystem.
Evolutionary Journey Ahead
Innovations in advanced manufacturing are driven by the pull of what partners need and FSU’s commitment to Northwest Florida. Maritech Machine in Bay County is InSPIRE’s first advanced manufacturing node established with strategic partner, ASTRO America, and is initiating the buildup of supply chains across the entire Gulf Coast. Maritech is the first key step to establishing a self-sustaining base with end-to-end production capability in Northwest Florida. Future InSPIRE nodes as well as a centralized advanced manufacturing and aero-testing facilities near the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport are being designed and developed.
Translating Science into Solutions
FSU InSPIRE is uniquely equipped to help the region surpass its potential by strategically developing advanced manufacturing capabilities while growing the workforce so local families have opportunities for better careers, and military veterans have better opportunities to transition out of service. Regional small and medium businesses are also poised to benefit from InSPIRE’s expanding footprint with advanced manufacturing capability and potential pathways to capital.
ASTRO America
ASTRO is helping establish InSPIRE as a major center for aerospace and defense manufacturing research and education by collaboratively designing the facility’s factory equipment layout, managing industry and government collaborations and embeds, and helping prioritize applied research. Once established, the flexible, end-to-end production environment for advanced manufacturing with aerodynamic and propulsion test facilities will give companies access to novel manufacturing technology and production expertise at every stage of production.
The facilities will include configurable manufacturing work cells, materials testing, diagnostics laboratories, and learning spaces to support project innovation, education, and workforce training to accelerate the adoption of new processes that deliver inventive ideas to the marketplace.
