UMR’s Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies (CAMT) will receive an additional $3.5 million in federal funds for the coming year, U.S. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) announced Wednesday during a visit to the UMR campus.

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., left, meets with UMR Chancellor Gary Thomas and others during a campus visit to announce new federal funding.

The center, established last spring through a federal appropriation of $8.8 million, is one of the nation’s largest initiatives to develop new manufacturing methods for the aerospace industry. Nearly 30 UMR faculty members and approximately 50 graduate students, along with researchers from the Boeing Co. and the U.S. Air Force, will conduct research through the center. Boeing and the Air Force are partners in the research effort.

"This center will benefit the taxpayer, sustain and create jobs and most importantly, serve our nation’s warfighters," said Bond, announcing the new appropriations during a visit to the UMR campus Wednesday. "The collaboration between universities, the Department of Defense, small business and industry just makes sense. Missouri’s workers, engineers and researchers have a long and proud history of providing for our nation’s defense. The center here at UMR will help Missouri to remain on the cutting edge of warfighter technology and assist in the creation of jobs both now and in the future."

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond was able to secure $3.5 million for the Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies in the fiscal year 2005 Defense Appropriations bill. Earlier this month this bill was signed into law by President Bush.

Bond also secured the previous $8.8 million appropriation for the UMR center.

UMR Chancellor Gary Thomas called the new center "a prime example of how universities can work together with government and industry to develop new knowledge and new technologies," says Thomas. "We’re particularly proud to be collaborating with Boeing, one of Missouri’s largest employers and one of the largest employers of UMR graduates. Together, UMR, Boeing and the Air Force will develop, evaluate and demonstrate new technologies that will improve the aerospace industry and have a tremendous impact on the economy of Missouri and the nation."

Thomas also applauded Bond for his efforts to secure the new funding.

"Without Sen. Bond’s assistance, this award would not have been possible," Thomas added. "This is another example of his leadership in assisting UMR to improve its already significant reputation. His help in bringing industry, government and university researchers together to improve aircraft manufacture will benefit every Missourian."

The new center is designed to facilitate research and development in advanced simulation, high-speed machining, abrasive slurry cutting, rapid prototyping, laser materials processing, friction-stir processing, non-chrome coating, non-destructive evaluation, advanced materials, composites manufacturing and electronic materials processing. Dr. Ming Leu, the Keith and Pat Bailey Missouri Distinguished Professor in Integrated Product Development, is the center’s director.

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