MAADE Project

NSF ATE Grant Updates:

Manufacturing Automation and Additive Design Excellence

De Anza's Design and Manufacturing Technologies (DMT) Department was awarded a three-year grant in 2022 from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education program to satisfy a growing need for skilled manufacturing workers by developing new courses and certificates in 3D printing, robotic automation and related technologies.

The funding will be used for a project called Manufacturing Automation and Additive Design Excellence, or MAADE.

The project builds on DMT’s existing curriculum and industry partnerships to keep pace with technological advances and address workforce demand for qualified CNC machinists, CAD designers and additive manufacturing (3D printing) technicians.

In keeping with DMT’s track record for innovation, the MAADE project will address these objectives:

• Develop new certificate and associate degree offerings in CAD design, additive manufacturing and 3D printing, multi-axis machining, and robotic automation
• Increase the participation of women and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in manufacturing occupations
• Expand faculty professional development opportunities in additive manufacturing, multi-axis machining, and robotic automation

DMT department chair Mike Appio will serve as the principal investigator for the MAADE project, joined by CAD instructor Roberto Sanchez and CTE Grants Administrator Margaret Bdzil, who will serve as co-principal investigators.

The department looks forward to expanding industry involvement and enhancing advanced manufacturing career opportunities for students.

Watch this webpage for additional announcements and updates about this project. 

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The Manufacturing Automation and Additive Design Excellence (MAADE) project is funded in part by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program. A grant abstract can be found on the NSF award website: NSF Search Award Abstract #2202221.