Advanced Manufacturing
Bringing the future of manufacturing to the world.
As technological advancements continue to reshape the manufacturing landscape as we know it, Grainger engineers are bringing their excellence in advanced manufacturing to the world. With more than 50 faculty members dedicated to advanced manufacturing efforts, we are working to transform production processes, strengthen our workforce and drive economic growth across the nation.
Recent manufacturing-related initiatives include the Illinois Manufacturing Institute, which brings several Grainger Engineering-led centers together under one umbrella, and the world’s first university research center focused on large metal additive manufacturing in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.
Designing Next-Generation Additive Manufacturing Systems
Everything made by humans is touched by manufacturing. Now, in the 21st century, we are reimagining the way things are made — infusing manufacturing with artificial intelligence, robotics, digital design and advanced materials.
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In the Media
“Throughout this state, region and country, Illinois faculty have an impressive array of talents and ideas to bring to the world. IMI will make sure potential industry and academic connections more easily develop relationships with our experts in everything from additive manufacturing to the use of AI, vision systems, real-time perception for robotics, and development of new manufacturing processes.”
Bill King
Ralph A. Andersen Endowed Chair, Director of the Illinois Manufacturing Institute
The Grainger College of Engineering
Centers and Initiatives
Illinois Manufacturing Institute (IMI)
In November 2024, Grainger Engineering launched the Illinois Manufacturing Institute (IMI). In addition to supporting new research and industry partnerships, IMI brings several significant Grainger Engineering-led initiatives in advanced manufacturing together under one umbrella. IMI is directed by Bill King, a professor and Ralph A. Anderson Endowed Chair in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering.
Center for Autonomous Construction and Manufacturing at Scale (CACMS)
The Center for Autonomous Construction and Manufacturing at Scale aims to develop autonomous vehicles and systems for construction applications. The group uses multidisciplinary approaches and state-of-the-art technologies in systems engineering, machine learning, vision systems, mechatronics, controls, expert systems, dynamic modeling, industrial engineering and sensor fusion.
Center for Networked Intelligent Components and Environments (C-NICE)
The Center for Networked Intelligent Components and Environments works with Foxconn Interconnect Technologies on research related to the computing, communication and sensing infrastructure that constitutes the backbone of internet-of-things-enabled systems and environments. Additional forward-looking projects will explore advances for next-generation communications infrastructure, consumer electronics and mobile devices for the intelligent, safe environments of the future.
Center for Regenerative Energy-Efficient Manufacturing of Thermoset Polymeric Materials (REMAT)
The Center for Regenerative Energy-Efficient Manufacturing of Thermoset Polymeric Materials, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, is a collaboration among Grainger Engineering, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and the University of Utah to advance the science of thermochemical reaction-diffusion processes in additive and morphogenic manufacturing and accelerate a transformative, circular strategy for thermoset polymeric and composite materials with programmed end-of-life.
Illinois Cryogenic Engineering (ICE) Materials Center
TThe Illinois Cryogenic Engineering Materials Center consolidates the efforts of 11 research teams from the departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering. Since materials for cryogenic environments are emerging as key enablers and will be transformational for the transportation, energy and defense sectors, the center aims to meet the growing demand for high-performance materials that can function in cryogenic environments.
Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI)
A partnership between Western Illinois University, the University of Illinois System and Iowa State University, QCMI was formed to foster collaboration between the U.S. Army Arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois, and businesses in the Quad City region of western Illinois and eastern Iowa. The goal is to promote research and workforce development in advanced manufacturing and materials.
DoD Center for Large Metal Parts Manufacturing
Together with the U.S. Department of Defense, Grainger Engineering is launching a center to develop new additive manufacturing methods for large metal parts. Under the leadership of Bill King, a professor and Ralph A. Anderson Endowed Chair in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, university researchers will work with the U.S. Army through the DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) and the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC). The new methods and technologies developed will allow the military to quickly manufacture large parts as needed for its fleet of ground vehicles, making its supply chain more agile, efficient and secure.