UNC Pembroke will host the Southeastern Additive Manufacturing Initiative (SAMI) Expo on Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 5 p.m. at James A. Thomas Hall.  

The free event, hosted by the Thomas College of Business and Economics, is open to the public and will showcase the latest advancements in additive manufacturing (AM), 3D printing and advanced technologies through exhibits, keynote sessions and hands-on demonstrations.

This year’s keynote speaker is Sheila Cummings, CEO of Cummings Aerospace. A Pembroke native, Cummings built her Huntsville, Ala.-based aerospace engineering firm into a nationally respected company with additional locations in Florida and Arizona. Since its founding in 2009, Cummings Aerospace has partnered with Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and other major defense contractors, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. Cummings was recently appointed to the UNC Pembroke Board of Trustees.

The SAMI Expo will highlight local companies and industry professionals who have successfully integrated additive manufacturing into their operations, alongside AM/CAD-experienced students prepared for internships and employment opportunities.

This year’s exhibitors include:

• Dynamism – 3D printing technology solutions (dynamism.com)
• Phillips AM – Specialists in additive manufacturing (phillipscorp.com/phillips-additive)
• TNT Ventures – Large-scale concrete printing innovators
• Applied Research Transformation – Concrete printing technologies
• Cummings Aerospace – Aerospace engineering solutions
• Lumber River Workforce Development Association – Workforce training and development
• The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina – Community innovation and partnerships

UNCP participants include:

• Department of Mathematics & Computer Science
• Department of Chemistry & Physics
• UNCP Rocket Team
• Southeastern Additive Manufacturing Initiative (SAMI)
• The Entrepreneurship HUB
• Career Services

“This event is about connecting our region to the future of advanced manufacturing and creating pathways for learning, innovation and collaboration,” said Dr. Steven Singletary, UNCP physics professor and event organizer, in a press release. “We want community members to see firsthand how these technologies are shaping industries and opportunities.”

The event is free, but registration is required.