Center of Innovation Excellence (CIE)
Helping Oregon Manufacturers Innovate with Additive Manufacturing
The OMIC R&D Center of Innovation Excellence (CIE) is a statewide initiative hosted by Oregon Tech, designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies across Oregon with a focused emphasis on industrial additive manufacturing.
Supported by Business Oregon, the CIE positions OMIC R&D as shared innovation infrastructure for manufacturers, startups, and educators. Rather than requiring companies to invest immediately in unfamiliar or capital-intensive technologies, the CIE provides access to equipment, technical expertise, and applied research capacity that reduces risk and shortens the path from concept to production.
At its core, the CIE exists to help Oregon manufacturers validate new products, qualify emerging processes, and explore additive manufacturing in a controlled, industry-aligned environment. Through OMIC R&D’s additive capabilities, companies can evaluate and compare multiple advanced processes within a single facility, including:
- Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)
- Binder Jetting
- Laser Powder Bed Fusion
- Cold Spray — an emerging solid-state process with growing strategic importance
This multi-modality approach helps partners determine not just whether additive manufacturing works, but which process works best for their specific application. CIE-supported projects are structured to enable proof-of-concept validation, process optimization, and early-stage manufacturing trials. Pending project approval and scope alignment, work may be conducted at cost to reduce financial barriers and encourage experimentation.
Beyond individual projects, the CIE strengthens Oregon’s broader manufacturing ecosystem by combining applied research, workforce development, and industry collaboration within a single platform, positioning additive manufacturing as a practical, accessible tool for regional competitiveness.
What the CIE Provides
The CIE is structured to lower barriers to advanced manufacturing adoption while strengthening Oregon’s long-term industrial competitiveness. Through coordinated research, equipment access, and workforce development, participants gain:
- Access to advanced additive manufacturing systems and supporting technical infrastructure
- Applied research support to validate processes and optimize production
- Workforce training and up-skilling aligned with emerging technologies
- Collaborative pilot projects designed to test and de-risk innovation
- Direct connections to industry leaders, higher education institutions, and economic development partners
Every initiative within the CIE is aligned to a single objective: helping Oregon businesses start, scale, and remain competitive within the state.
Who It’s For
Manufacturers
The CIE enables manufacturers to explore and implement advanced technologies without assuming immediate capital risk. Through structured pilot projects and applied research support, companies can evaluate additive processes before investing in equipment, improve operational efficiency, develop and validate new products, and upskill technical teams in a live research environment. The result is informed adoption, not speculative investment.
Startups & Entrepreneurs
For emerging companies, access to advanced manufacturing tools can determine whether a concept becomes a viable product. The CIE provides prototyping and testing capabilities within a production-scale environment, technical guidance to accelerate development cycles, and connections to manufacturing partners, industry mentors, and potential customers, shortening the path from idea to commercialization while keeping innovation anchored in Oregon.
Educators & Workforce Partners
The CIE integrates education directly into applied research and industry collaboration, offering real-world project opportunities for students, training aligned with current manufacturing technologies, and clear pathways into high-wage technical careers across Oregon.
Unique Capabilities at OMIC R&D
The CIE provides access to six additive manufacturing modalities within a single, integrated facility hosted by Oregon Tech. This shared-use infrastructure allows companies to evaluate, compare, and validate processes without committing to immediate capital investment, reducing technical and financial risk while accelerating informed adoption.
Core CIE Programs
- Additive Pilot Projects — Company-driven applied R&D and prototyping to test feasibility and optimize manufacturing processes
- Knowledge Transfer Events — Technical workshops, demonstrations, and industry showcases expanding understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies
- Startup Support — Access to equipment, expertise, and industry networks to accelerate early-stage product development
- Statewide Outreach — Targeted engagement with rural and underserved manufacturers to expand access to innovation resources
- Industry Integration — Structured collaboration between students, startups, and established manufacturers to strengthen Oregon’s talent and technology pipeline
Why Participate?
Participation in the CIE enables organizations to explore and validate new manufacturing methods, reduce time from concept to production, strengthen internal technical capabilities, improve competitiveness in evolving markets, and keep advanced manufacturing investment and jobs within Oregon.
Get Involved
Advanced manufacturing adoption doesn’t require a full capital commitment on day one. It begins with a conversation. If your organization is evaluating additive manufacturing, developing a new product, or seeking to strengthen technical capabilities, OMIC R&D can help you assess feasibility, define scope, and determine the right next step.