Coastal Automotive is excited to announce our participation in Project DIAMOnD, which aims to provide local manufacturers with the means to produce emergency PPE in-house on an as-needed basis.
We anticipate using this 3D printer initially for tooling, fixtures and manufacturing aids and components. The technology’s flexibility will also allow us to more easily support unique customer challenges and requests for functional prototyping.
Project DIAMOnD is organized by Automation Alley and funded by Oakland and Macomb counties through a series of federal grants. Automation Alley works to “facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan’s economy and accelerate innovation.”
In conjunction with their partners, Automation Alley developed Project DIAMOnD (Distributed, Independent, Agile, Manufacturing On-Demand) in response to the substantially increased need for PPE production in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project allows Automation Alley to provide qualifying small or medium-sized manufacturers in Oakland or Macomb counties with production part-capable 3D printers at no cost to the manufacturer.
Qualifying manufacturers receive the printers with the stipulation that they’ll use them to produce PPE on-demand for 3 years, with adequate compensation for any PPE produced. During that time, manufacturers are also encouraged to use the printers for non-PPE production as part of Automation Alley’s continued efforts to advance innovation and digitize Michigan manufacturing. Once the 3-year contract is completed, participating manufacturers take full ownership of the 3D printer to use in production as they see fit.
Through Coastal Automotive’s participation in the program, we’ve also received an Industry 4.0 assessment for future continued digitization of our company processes and procedures. Guided by this assessment, our leadership team will continue looking into ways to integrate these potential digital opportunities into our long-term company goals.
About Coastal Automotive
Coastal Automotive is a Tier 1 global automotive company whose products and solutions increase the safety of interior passenger spaces. Coastal Automotive works with unique products and innovative processes to create value for their customers. For more information visit www.coastal-automotive.com.
