The America Makes Digital Storefront Logo
Problem
The current state of additive manufacturing (AM)/ 3D printing (3DP) knowledge shared across and between the public and private sectors is via “expert engagements” at conferences, one-on-one meetings, and publications. In the current environment of AM research occurring across the nation, no single source exists to understand prior art, progress, and gaps that remain. An online digital resource of data that offers the ability to share data through a controlled access point is needed. The digital data repository requires up-to-date search and security protocols to ensure data is readily available to America Makes members with the appropriate access rights, permissions, and needs.
Objective
The objective of this project was to improve the ability of America Makes members to readily search and access information within a Digital Storefront (DSF), a centralized, secure operating environment, that houses data that is relevant to the needs and interests of members. To access the DSF, key stakeholders were required to: 1) incorporate their Capability Needs, 2) maintain a satisfactory level of completeness of a Capability Need, 3) manage the segregation and compilation of information across roadmaps, 4) define and display the pedigree of the available information assets, 5) generate a Data Rights framework, and 6) increase access control.
Technical Approach
America Makes established capability needs within the DSF. Visibility into the maturity of technology as it relates to the satisfaction of a capability need is displayed using traditional Technology Readiness Level (TRL) / Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) threat assessments developed in Project 2, DoD Roadmap Refresh. The use of well-defined TRL / MRL stage gates increases the confidence the consumer of the data has in the deliverable. The project team updated the DSF with required data attributes, enhanced the relations displayed within the DSF Active Workspace Client (AWC) for a deliverable, and, where necessary, updated existing automated business processes within Teamcenter to enable the capture of pedigree relationships.
Accomplishments
The project team was able to deliver an enhanced DSF to include improved traceability of “America Makes in-house” project information and data referenced from the concurrent Information Alignment project. It also refined information asset characterization, increased security protocols with varying distribution requirements, and improved web-based data analytics and metrics. The enhancements made to the website meant certain members could utilize all the platform assets, they were user-friendly and relevant to the professional focus of members. Those features defined as beneficial to the entire group, but not intuitive to use, were not implemented.
Project Participants
Project Principal
Other Project Participants
- Deloitte
- Siemens
- Tableau Systems
Public Participants
- U.S. Department of Defense