The North American Manufacturing Research Institution of SME (NAMRI | SME) brings together researchers from leading companies, government laboratories, academic institutions and industrial think tanks located around the world for the purpose of advancing the scientific foundation of discrete-parts manufacturing. 

The work of NAMRI | SME spans refining fundamental manufacturing technologies, developing new additive, subtractive and material deformation capabilities, as well as encompassing smart manufacturing that integrates modeling, simulation, monitoring and control systems. These efforts are offered in a framework that addresses education, human-centric manufacturing, and sustainability. 

NAMRI | SME holds an annual technical conference at which members present and discuss their research results and work-in-progress. The NAMRI | SME Scientific Committee rigorously reviews all submitted research papers for this event and publishes the collective work as its formal Transactions of NAMRI.

A sampling of research topics includes:

• Material removal of hard-to-machine metals.
• Microstructure and mechanical properties of materials and structures fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM).
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins for design, planning, monitoring and control towards industrial digitalization.
• Advances in control and metrology for multi-tasking machine tools.
• Innovative tools for manufacturing education.
• Sustainable manufacturing in a circular economy.
• Industrial applications in real-world environments.

Mission

NAMRI | SME advances manufacturing engineering by promoting research and its application in industry. 

Vision

The North American Manufacturing Research Institution of SME (NAMRI | SME) shall be an institution functioning as an integral part of SME, designed to cooperate and coordinate with other organizations for the advancement of knowledge in manufacturing engineering through research and development. This institution shall also provide the means and methods whereby such knowledge is disseminated and whereby the needs of the manufacturing community are made known. 

NAMRI | SME shall, among other things, promote and actively stimulate research, writing, publishing, and dissemination of knowledge within this field through cooperative efforts and an annual conference. This annual conference is to provide a forum for the active community of researchers whose works contribute to the furthering of manufacturing technology and productivity and for the spokesman of the industrial community on technological needs. The conference shall be known as the North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC). It is intended that NAMRI | SME will carry on the tradition and purpose of the North American Manufacturing Research Conferences, which have been organized annually since 1973 by the Scientific Committee of NAMRI | SME. 

Diversity Statement

NAMRI SME reaffirms our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion of all within our community. We believe that diverse perspectives and talents are essential within manufacturing research, and acts that undermine these principles are inconsistent with our values. As an international organization, NAMRI SME remains dedicated to building a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone in manufacturing research, engineering and education. We will continue to strive to uphold this promise in our activities and operations and will consistently explore new ways to demonstrate our commitment.

Strategic Plan

Goal A: NAMRI | SME will be recognized worldwide as the leading institution for advancing manufacturing research and its application.

Long-Range Goals

Strategies 

• Establish NAMRI | SME special issues for SME archival journals.
• Better position NAMRC as an effective forum for industry/university interface (contact with industry).
• Develop NAMRI | SME meetings outside of the United States (possibly with or sponsored by other international organizations).
• Establish an award for implementation of research projects in the manufacturing engineering industry.
• Invite renowned worldwide researchers to give invited papers at NAMRC.
• Develop a marketing/communications plan in conjunction with SME to position NAMRI | SME as the leading research advocate.

Milestones

• An increase in the number of:
  • Members from industry, industrial laboratories, the international community and renowned researchers involved in NAMRC.
• The existence of:
• An awards program
• The archival journal
• International topical conferences

Goal B: NAMRI | SME will be its members' primary resource for professional development. 

Strategies 

• Develop an internal marketing/communications plan for members to:
• Assess the needs and wants of members on a more frequent basis.
• Better communicate the broadening benefits of membership.
• Involve more industry people in working groups with research-focused members to ensure relevance in research and NAMRI | SME's activities.
• Increase peer recognition opportunities and activities.
• Broaden the focus of NAMRI | SME beyond a single forum or event (conference) by developing additional forums, meetings, networking, research and funding opportunities for members only.
• Create a process to stimulate and establish interaction among industry, government and universities.
• Work with SME to develop a sophisticated database of members and industry research information.

Milestones

• An increase in the number of:
• Hits on NAMRI | SME's home page.
• Forums and events for sharing research and funding opportunities.
• The existence of:
• Electronic access to abstracts and information through the web.
• A more sophisticated member researcher database.

Goal C: NAMRI | SME will be the leading knowledge source for current research results and future trends in manufacturing. 

Strategies 

• Develop a plan to include NAMRI | SME papers in the Journal of Manufacturing Systems and Journal of Manufacturing Processes.
• Invite comprehensive review/future directions papers from experts/working groups.
• Develop electronic retrieval/index for NAMRI | SME papers.
• Create worldwide NAMRI | SME sessions in cooperation with other associations.
• Develop topical conferences/courses in collaboration with other associations and industries.
• Formalize a working group structure and interfaces to seek outside funding.
• Establish a NAMRI | SME newsletter.
• Create an annual "summit/critical issues" conference.

Milestones

• An increase in the number of:
• Media and organizational requests for information.
• Outside sources of funding.
• Collaborative relationships with other organizations.
• The existence of:
• Electronic retrieval/index for NAMRI | SME papers.
• Worldwide NAMRI | SME sessions.
• Topical conferences