CAMINO is open for business.

That was one of the messages Associate Laboratories Director Steve Girrens delivered just days before a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility in Sandia’s Science and Technology Park. But Sandia’s vision for CAMINO extends beyond a physical building for advanced manufacturing.

“It’s a deliberate framework for collaboration,” Steve said during an inaugural CAMINO meeting in the Steve Schiff Auditorium on Feb. 10. “It’s about going faster in the national interest.”

Sandia convened the meeting to coincide with the ribbon-cutting, bringing together partners from across NNSA’s nuclear security enterprise, universities and private businesses.

In opening remarks, Steve, who oversees nuclear deterrence components and production, said CAMINO’s goal is to deliver on the nuclear security mission faster through rapid prototyping.

“It’s a testament to Sandia and its partners in implementing new and needed ways to improve our deterrent,” said John Evans, NNSA’s principal deputy administrator for Office of Stockpile Management. Evans said CAMINO will help deliver higher-quality components and products, with rigorous testing to ensure the stockpile is reliable and safe.

“Centralizing advanced manufacturing activities offers significant advantages,” said Associate Laboratories Director Douglas Kothe, who oversees advanced science and technology. “We want to grow this partnership into something that’s worth your time and effort.”

Several panel discussions included a town hall, tech talks and conversations on technology transfer, with participation from attendees at other sites.

Sandia plans to host the CAMINO meeting annually.