Modernizing Hampton Roads Manufacturing with Cobotic Welding
The Cobotic Alliance Center is a regional hub dedicated to helping small and medium-sized manufacturers in Hampton Roads adopt and integrate cobotic welding. The Center provides hands-on demonstrations, training, and real-world evaluation of cobotic systems to reduce risk and accelerate learning. Through the HAMMER Program—Hampton Roads Advanced Manufacturing Modernization with Emerging Robotics—we offer structured workforce development, technical guidance, and support packages designed to meet companies wherever they are in their cobotic journey.
The HAMMER Program is an initiative designed to help small and medium-sized manufacturers explore, train, and integrate cobotic welding technologies. HAMMER provides companies with guided access to hands-on demonstrations, workforce upskilling, part and process evaluations, and practical integration support. The program meets manufacturers at their current level of readiness, helping them understand where cobots fit, what benefits they can expect, and how to adopt the technology with confidence and reduced risk.
The What: The HAMMER Program
HAMMER — Hampton Roads Advanced Manufacturing Modernization with Emerging Robotics, is a Virginia economic development initiative, funded through GO Virginia Region 5 and managed by GENEDGE, that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers in Hampton Roads explore, train on, procure, and integrate cobotic welding technologies. The program reduces adoption risk while building workforce capability and accelerating real-world implementation through hands-on engagement.
The Where: The Cobotic Alliance Center
HAMMER services are delivered through the Cobotic Alliance Center, centrally located in Norfolk, Virginia. The Center serves as a regional hub for hands-on demonstrations, training, and real-world evaluation of cobotic welding systems, featuring a dedicated cobotic welding lab with equipment from five different manufacturers and an on-site training room—making it an ideal environment to experience and compare the technology firsthand.
The Who: Participants and Partners
HAMMER Program is specifically designed for small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Hampton Roads region. The program is delivered by a consortium of partners led by GENEDGE, Virginia’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and includes cobotic welding technology providers, workforce and training organizations, local and regional economic development partners, and other key stakeholders supporting manufacturing growth across the region.
How the HAMMER Program Supports Your Cobotic Journey
HAMMER is designed to support manufacturers at every stage of cobotic adoption, from initial exploration and workforce training to system evaluation and production integration.
1. Learn & Explore
Bring your team to the SCA Center to see cobotic welding in action, understand capabilities, and ask questions in a low-risk, testbed environment.
2. Evaluate, Train, and Plan
Work with SCA experts to identify candidate parts, assess fit, and map out a practical roadmap for deploying cobotic welding in your facility.
3. Integrate and Scale
Upskill your welders, operators, and engineers through hands-on training and system integration support tailored to your current stage.
Training & Support Packages
Packages are designed to meet you where you are in your cobotic journey – from just getting started to preparing to integrate a unit on your shop floor.
“Just getting Started”
If you’re early in your cobotic welding journey, HAMMER offers two low-risk ways to explore the technology and understand where it may fit in your operation.
Option 1: Open House at the Cobotic Alliance Center
A come-and-go visit designed for exposure and discovery.
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- See cobotic welding systems in action across multiple manufacturers
- Get hands-on exposure to equipment and capabilities
- Speak directly with the SCA team and cobotic welding manufacturers
Cost: Free · No obligation
Upcoming 2026 Open Houses: Jan 29, Apr 23, Jul 23, Oct 23
Option 2: Cobotic Welding for Leaders (½-Day Course)
A structured session focused on informed decision-making.
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- Hands-on interaction with cobotic welding systems
- Practical discussion of benefits, costs, and ROI
- Guidance on moving from interest to adoption
Cost: $250 per seat (grant-subsidized; $1,000 standard)
2026 Course Dates: Feb 10, May 6, Aug 6, Nov 5
“Ready to Decide—Ready to Deploy”
This offering prepares your company to either move forward with a cobotic welding system or make a confident, informed investment decision.
- Review of candidate parts, joints, and current weld procedures
- Hands-on training for welders who will operate the system—covering operation, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance
- High-level productivity and throughput estimates for cobotic applications
- Assessment of fixturing, programming, and quality considerations
- Delivered outcome: a customized integration plan for deploying a cobotic welding cell in your facility
Scheduled 2026 Sessions: Mar 10–12 · Jun 2–4 · Sep 1–3 · Dec 1–3
Availability: Scheduled sessions or ad hoc delivery as needed
Value & Cost: $20,000+ in training and integration planning; $5,000 out-of-pocket for HAMMER participants
Implementation Support – “From Purchase to Production”
This package is designed for manufacturers ready to move forward with a cobotic welding system. HAMMER provides on-site, hands-on support that goes far beyond purchasing equipment—helping you secure funding, integrate the system into your facility, and get it into production.
- Support identifying and sourcing funding for cobotic welding equipment
- Alignment of cobotic applications with weld procedures, policies, and quality requirements
- On-site training for welders, operators, and programmers
- System integration support, including workflows, safety, and operational best practices
- Ongoing coaching and technical support as production ramps up
Delivery: Ad hoc, on-site support tailored to your implementation needs
Value & Cost: $50,000+ in integration and deployment support; $15,000 out-of-pocket for HAMMER participants
Open Houses & HAMMER Training Dates
Join a scheduled open house or HAMMER session, or contact us to arrange a focused visit for your team.
Open House at the Cobotic Alliance Center
Open houses include a center tour, live demonstrations, and time for questions with SCA staff.
Cobotic Welding for Leaders (½-Day Course)
Class content can be tailored to shipyard personnel, suppliers, or mixed groups.
Contact the SCA Center
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Have questions about the HAMMER Program, eligibility, or which option makes the most sense for your company? Reach out to the GENEDGE HAMMER team:
Koryne Andrew
SCA Welding Training Supervisor, GENEDGE
📧 Kandrew@genedge.org
📞 (757) 793-8225
Sean Storan
Eastern Growth Manager, GENEDGE
📧 SStoran@genedge.org
📞 (757) 751-4461
Sean and Koryne can help clarify program options, explain how the Cobotic Alliance Center supports manufacturers, and answer questions about visits, training sessions, or implementation support. They can also help align your interests with upcoming open houses, courses, or custom engagements.