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Hermle Five-Axis Mill Turn Machine Installed in CMA

August 21, 2025

Hermle Five-Axis Mill Turn Machine Installed in CMA

IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement Earns ISO 9001:2015 Certification

September 3, 2024

IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement Earns ISO 9001:2015 Certification

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) announces that its Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) has achieved the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification. This globally recognized certification demonstrates the CMA’s commitment to maintaining operational integrity and delivering high-quality processes and outcomes for clients and partners.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification helps organizations of all sizes and sectors to improve their performance, meet customer expectations and demonstrate their commitment to quality.

The CNC Machining Innovation Lab inside the CMA provides first-rate process optimization and reliable testing services for manufacturers around the world.

“Achieving this level of ISO certification is a significant milestone for the CMA. It reflects our commitment to quality and reliability and assures our clients and partners that we are constantly improving and aligning with international standards.” – Jason Wells, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Advancement, IALR

The International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, brings global experts together to agree on the best way to do things—for anything from making a product to managing a process. The ISO 9001:2015 certification establishes an effective quality management system, enabling organizations to improve efficiency, ensure product consistency and meet the highest standards of customer satisfaction.

The CMA equips companies to increase global competitiveness through cutting-edge technology, industry expertise and state-of-the-art facilities. The ISO certification reinforces the CMA’s mission of helping manufacturers deploy emerging technologies and advanced solutions with precision and efficiency.

The CMA features a state-of-the-art metrology lab equipped with one of the largest Coordinate Measuring Machines on the East Coast.

“Obtaining this certification demonstrates that we are serious about meeting the needs of our clients and partners efficiently and consistently, allowing them to thrive in a competitive global market.” – Kevin Thompson, CMA Operations Manager, IALR

The ISO certification increases the reliability of service provided by two labs housed inside the CMA that provide critical services to industry. The CNC Machining Innovation Lab enables manufacturers to evaluate their processes, develop improvements and incorporate efficiencies without disrupting current operations. The fully equipped Metrology Lab provides integrated inspection capabilities that allow manufacturers to validate quality and accurately and affordably measure and certify products. Though not part of the scope of the ISO certification, the CMA’s Industry 4.0 Integration Lab also plays a pivotal role in supporting manufacturers as they transition to digital strategies, integrate automation and advance to the next stage of their growth cycle.

Featuring elite equipment, innovative technology and a staff of talented machinists, the CNC Machining Innovation Lab enables new and existing businesses to evaluate their processes, develop improvements and incorporate efficiencies without disrupting current operations.

Through a collaborative approach, the CMA partners with advanced manufacturing companies to optimize their operations, adopt new technologies and enhance processes—all while minimizing disruption and maximizing return on investment (ROI).

For manufacturers relocating to the U.S. or expanding in Southern Virginia, the CMA offers a seamless experience with immediate access to expertise, technology and workforce development programs. Located adjacent to the Navy’s National Training Center, the CMA benefits from proximity to the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program, further enhancing its capabilities to drive innovation and growth. The CMA also houses the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation through applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s primary footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. The Center for Manufacturing Advancement is part of IALR’s campus and service offerings. 

Robotic Simulation Software Training Hosted at CMA

May 1, 2024

Robotic Simulation Software Training Hosted at CMA

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) hosted a three-day robotic simulation class on April 16-18, providing regional community college and high school instructors with needed training for FANUC ROBOGUIDE simulation software. This was the first external training opportunity provided in the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA).

A total of 15 instructors participated in the three-day course, which was taught by Butch Kendrick, IALR’s Director of Digital Manufacturing, at the CMA and sponsored by Amtek Company – the FANUC educational representative for Virginia and several other southern states.

“This workshop helped these instructors understand the possibilities and capabilities of this software and how to better integrate that knowledge into their courses. We are happy to utilize the CMA as a hub for technical training and information for industry and educators alike.” – Butch Kendrick, Director of Digital Manufacturing, IALR

Participants came from a variety of educational institutions, including Patrick & Henry Community College, New River Community College, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, the Pittsylvania County Career and Technical Center and a technical college in West Virginia. The hands-on, three-day workshop allowed participants to learn the operations and functionality of the FANUC ROBOGUIDE software. Fanuc is a leading supplier of robotics and automation solutions for industry.

This workshop was designed specifically for teachers working to obtain their FANUC Certified Robot Operator I certification.

“We wanted to hold a local class for our teachers in Virginia and West Virginia to highlight how to use the ROBOGUIDE software, prepping them for the certification exam and helping them better teach this program in their classrooms.” – Gary Daniels, Sales Consultant Amtek Company

Percy Pass, Instructor of the Automation and Robotics Course at the Pittsylvania County Career and Technical Center, has 10 of these robots in his classroom, and this training will help him and his students have a better experience working with them.

“This will allow the students to become familiar with the controls and overall operations of the robot, both the physical version and the simulator.” – Percy Pass, Instructor, Pittsylvania County Career and Technical Center

While no future workshops are currently on the schedule, staff in the CMA plan to offer additional training opportunities and operational workshops on the operation of different robots.

Housed on the campus of IALR, the CMA serves as the destination of choice for innovative manufacturers ready to optimize their operations and scale. The CMA features an Industry 4.0 Integration Lab focused on automation and robotics, a CNC Machining Innovation Lab that helps businesses to evaluate processes and incorporate efficiencies, and a Metrology Lab with integrated inspection capabilities required to validate product quality. The CMA is also home to the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.

Inside IALR Podcast: CNC Machining Innovation Lab

March 18, 2024

Inside IALR Podcast: CNC Machining Innovation Lab

The “Inside IALR” team showcases the CNC Innovation Lab inside the Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) with CMA Operations Manager Kevin Thompson and CNC Technologist Jeremiah Williams. This episode highlights how the 5,791-square-foot CNC Machining Innovation Lab enables new and existing businesses to evaluate their processes, build out improvements and incorporate efficiencies without disrupting current operations. This space empowers manufacturers to increase global competitiveness (02:44). They discuss the role of CNC machining (04:18) and its primary role within the manufacturing industry (06:06). The equipment and processes (08:27) are the main attraction for industry. Kevin and Jeremiah explain the specific services provided by the CNC Innovation Lab (14:46) and also provide a short explanation of the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) and how the CNC Lab fits into that (19:14).

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