Good morning, .

A breakthrough in 3D printing technology could help solve America's aging infrastructure crisis. Innovative 'cold spray' techniques are now being tested to repair corroded steel bridges, showcasing how advanced manufacturing can tackle real-world challenges.

With a $191 billion maintenance backlog threatening our infrastructure, this solution arrives at a critical time. The ability to repair bridges without lengthy closures or complete replacements could transform how we maintain our vital transportation networks.

In today's MFG recap:

• Revolutionary 3D printing method tackles bridge repair crisis

• MIT launches ambitious new manufacturing initiative

• Jabil commits $500M to US-based AI hardware production

• US-India trade deal could open $128B manufacturing opportunity

Printing Our Way to Safer Roads

MFG NOW: The Recap: Researchers from UMass Amherst and MIT are testing a new 'cold spray' technique to repair corroding steel bridges on-site. This additive manufacturing approach could offer a faster, less invasive, and more cost-effective fix for the nation's crumbling infrastructure.

Unpacked:

• The process uses a mobile applicator to spray powdered steel in heated, compressed gas, building up new layers to restore a beam's thickness and structural integrity.

• This technology addresses a massive problem, with the American Society of Civil Engineers grading U.S. bridges a C and estimating a $191 billion repair backlog.

• To validate the repair, the team will retrieve the sprayed beams for analysis after the bridge's scheduled demolition, studying the material’s long-term performance and adhesion.

Bottom line: This approach could offer a faster, less disruptive way to extend the life of critical infrastructure. Successfully moving this technology from the lab to the field marks a significant step for using additive manufacturing in large-scale civil engineering.

MIT's New Manufacturing Moonshot

MFG NOW:The Recap: MIT has launched its Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM), an institute-wide effort to reinfuse U.S. industrial production with leading-edge technology and workforce education. The push aims to transform key sectors, from biotech to energy, and create high-quality, human-centered jobs across the country.

Unpacked:

• The initiative is kicking off with an industry consortium including GE Vernova, Siemens, and Amgen, and will initially focus on applying artificial intelligence to manufacturing challenges.

• This effort aligns with tangible projects like using a "cold spray" 3D printing technique to repair deteriorating bridges, a critical issue facing U.S. infrastructure.

• The need for such innovations is stark, with the 2025 Infrastructure Report Card grading U.S. bridges a C and noting over half of the nation's 623,000+ bridges require significant attention.

Bottom line: This initiative signals a concerted effort by a top research institution to connect foundational R&D directly with industrial application and workforce training. For manufacturing professionals, it creates new pathways for collaboration and access to cutting-edge tools that could define the next decade of production.

Manufacturing the AI Revolution

MFG NOW:The Recap: Global manufacturing leader Jabil is investing $500 million to expand its U.S. footprint, directly supporting the massive demand for cloud and AI data center hardware.

Unpacked:

• The investment is framed as a matter of national security, aiming to build the essential hardware that powers AI innovation on American soil.

• Jabil is finalizing a site in the Southeast U.S. and expects the new large-scale facility to be operational by mid-2026.

• This expansion builds on Jabil's recent acquisition of Mikros Technologies, a key provider of advanced liquid cooling solutions for data centers.

Bottom line: This major investment strengthens the domestic supply chain for critical digital infrastructure. Jabil's commitment shows a clear strategy to secure America's role in manufacturing the physical components of the AI boom.

The $128B US-India Opportunity

MFG NOW:The Recap: A looming July 9 deadline for a US-India trade deal could unlock a $128 billion opportunity. A successful agreement would significantly reshape global supply chains for key manufacturing sectors.

Unpacked:

• The deal’s core includes pharmaceuticals, where Indian manufacturers currently supply 40% of the U.S. generic market and export over $8 billion in products to the U.S. annually.

• IT services represent another major component, with $33 billion in existing trade that could accelerate India’s digital infrastructure growth and deepen market access for U.S. tech firms.

• High stakes and geopolitical tensions surround the talks, as a failure to reach an agreement could trigger 26% retaliatory U.S. tariffs and disrupt supply chains.

Bottom line: This potential deal offers a major opportunity for companies to diversify their manufacturing and supply chain strategies. The outcome of these negotiations will set a new direction for global trade in critical pharma and technology sectors for years to come.

The Shortlist

Stratasys launched the North American Tooling Center of Excellence in Michigan, a new collaboration with Automation Intelligence (AI) to advance 3D printing for tooling applications.

Zoox opened its first-ever serial production facility in the U.S. for its purpose-built, AI-powered robotaxis.

Clarios announced it is evaluating U.S. locations for a next-generation technology campus to produce supercapacitors, an advanced energy storage technology for critical applications like AI data centers.