WASHINGTON, D.C.-Exports have accounted for nearly half (46%) of the growth in the U.S. economy during the past year and are supported by a robust financing sector, according to panelists in a roundtable discussion hosted by NAM; its research, education and workforce affiliate, the Manufacturing Institute; and the ELFA.

CHICAGO-The WCBF will host the Third Annual Global Six Sigma and Business Improvement Summit & Industry Awards, to be held in Orlando, FL, October 14 to 17, 2008, at the Ramada Orlando Celebration Hotel and Convention Center.

MCLEAN, VA-April U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $396.47 million, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (AMTDA).

MAPLE GROVE, MN-Metrology provider Carl Zeiss has completed the MMZ-B Plus gantry coordinate measuring machine (CMM)-its largest CMM to date-for Lockheed Martin. The CMM was built to measure subassemblies of F-35 wings.

SCHAUMBURG, IL-The Business Innovation Conference will be held on September 8 to 10, 2008, in Naperville, IL. The conference will bring academia, government and business together to explore and learn the science of innovation and accelerate performance through innovation, offering attendees the chance to exchange knowledge and experience.

PITTSBURGH-Materials Science and Technology (MS&T) 2008 will take place in Pittsburgh, October 5 to 9, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The event will address eight themes pertaining to

COLUMBUS, OH-The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) voting members will again be able to vote electronically through a secure Web site. All eligible members will be able to vote

ROCHESTER, NY - As the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) approaches the three-year anniversary of its launch, imaging technology from Eastman Kodak Company continues to enable the orbiter to explore the

STADTRODA, GERMANY - Allied Vision Technologies is acquiring 100% of the shares of the Canadian camera manufacturer Prosilica Inc. as of July 31, 2008. The participants have agreed to keep

BOULDER, CO, July 24-The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Conference of Standards Laboratories (NCSL) International announce that ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 Requirements for the Calibration of Measuring and Test