U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) joins NCMS radio to discuss a wide range of Manufacturing issues.

Topics include robotics, innovation, alternative energy, the smart grid, jobs, and strategies to promote manufacturing growth in the new millennium.

NCMS Radio- “Manufacturing in the New Millenium ”- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) (16:13)



Subscribe to NCMS Radio on iTunes- search for NCMS.

NCMS has been approached by the Obama Administration to reach out to its membership to seek input into possible research topics for a proposed new focus area in robotics for the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program.  

For those of you not familiar with the SBIR program, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Technology administers SBIR program for the federal government.  Each year, by Federal law, and with oversight of the SBA, federal agencies that spent over $100 million on externally funded R&D in the prior year must set aside 2.5% of their external R&D budget in the current year for funding of small business technology development from design to prototype to commercialization.

Through this program SBA ensures that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. Eleven federal departments participate in the competitive SBIR program (Agriculture; Commerce; Defense; Education; Energy; Health & Human Services; Homeland Security; Transportation; EPA; NASA: NSF). 

The Administration is looking for proposed technical topic areas for a robotics focused solicitation.  Since SBIR covers many federal agencies, the topics can cover anything, not just Army/DoD requirements.    

Any suggestions are welcome.   

Please send an email message with the following items to sbir@ncms.org

1. Company name
2. Date of submission
3. Mailing address
4. Point of contact name and title
5. Suggested topic title
6. Description of problem (1-3 paragraphs)
7. Proposed concept (1-3 paragraphs)
8. References

Submissions are due COB March 31, 2010.

NCMS is partnering with the Department of Energy to identify and develop critical manufacturing technologies vital to the affordable manufacturing of alternative energy systems.  We are issuing a call for Concept Papers which will be used to select projects to be funded by this program.  

NCMS is interested in Concept Papers in the following areas:

• Advanced composite manufacturing technologies that will enable process automation for wind blade manufacturing including process automation and advanced curing technologies for higher throughput. 
• Advanced joining technologies to reduce the cost of manufacturing and installing wind turbines. 

Collaborations are expected.

Available Funding / Cost Share Requirements

Approximately $220,000 of funding is available for each project, which will require an additional 1:1 cost share.  

Timeline

Two page Concept Papers need to be emailed to Chuck Ryan, chuckr@ncms.org by 5 pm EST, March 31, 2010.  Please follow the attached template.  Selected teams will be asked to develop a larger proposal (12-15 pages) based on the same template. 

NCMS Membership Requirement

NCMS is a non-profit membership organization.  Project Participants must become NCMS members for those collaborative teams who are asked to submit a larger proposal.   Please see our website for details:  www.ncms.org  

Please direct any questions to Chuck Ryan via email.

Chuck Ryan, Ph.D.
Vice President, Technology
chuckr@ncms.org

Concept Proposal Format and Instructions Template.doc (56.50 kb)

The NCMS Volumetric Accuracy for Large Machine Tools (VALMT) project is the subject of an article in the latest issue of Quality Digest.

...The entire measurement process can be accomplished in a matter of hours rather than days, resulting in more accurate measurements and eliminating costly machine downtime. Calibration is performed in a single set-up with automated measurement of hundreds of points and is completed in just a few hours compared to alternate methods that can take much longer. By accomplishing the measurement task in such a short timeframe, the measurement data is far more reliable.

The VALMT project has pioneered an innovative process in establishing a new methodology in volumetric error compensation for large machine tools which can save the Department of Defense (DOD) and the commercial aircraft industry millions of dollars anually. 

Full Article

Please plan to participate in our third technology showcase to be held April 28-29, 2010.

This is an exclusive opportunity for NCMS members to display technologies for managers, engineers, and artisans at the Fleet Readiness Center East Maintenance Center in Cherry Point, North Carolina. The first day of the event will be for technology displays followed by a day of follow-up meetings with FRC personnel on potential applications.

FRC East is currently interested in the following technologies:

• Cleaning
• Data Collection Management
• Non-destructive Inspection
• Dimensional Measurement
• Stripping/coating Removal
• Stripping/coating Removal
• Coating/plating Technologies
• Direct Digital Manufacturing
• Surface Finishing
• Analysis
• Composites

For more information please contact:

NCMS Program Manager Debbie Lilu, debral@ncms.org (734) 995-7038. 

Dr. Diesel Technologies (DDTS) provides the latest diagnostic technologies to the heavy duty military vehicle community.  DDTS’ key products include Diagnostic Analyzes Test Set (DATS), Diagnostic software and rugged embedded PC’s.

http://www.drdieseltech.com/

George Washington University is a private, non-profit institution of higher education based in Washington, D.C.  The University provides education and training services, primarily for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels, and performs research, training, and other services under grants, contracts, and similar agreements with sponsoring organizations, primarily departments and agencies of the U.S. government.

http://www.ncac.gwu.edu/

Adapt Laser Systems offers innovative laser cleaning technology for industrial surface treatment, cleaning and paint removal applications.  Their laser technology removes contaminants, production residue and coatings without damaging the substrate.

http://www.adapt-laser.com/

 Register Now!

Early Bird Discount ends 2 MAR, Room Block ends 3 MAR

Ever wonder how technology requirements are identified
 in DoD maintenance facilities?

Do you think you have a solution to one of their key sustainment needs?

The 2010 CTMA Working Symposium highlights sustainment requirements, ongoing DoD projects addressing some of these needs, and interacting with the leaders in the DoD and industry responsible for improving weapon system sustainment.

This event offers the unique opportunity to network with technology providers while displaying technology to Department of Defense (DoD) personnel.

Speaker Spotlight

MG Nickolas G. Justice, U.S. Army Research and Engineering Command, (RDECOM).  As the commanding general of RDECOM, MG Justice leads a worldwide organization of more than 17,000 scientists, engineers and other professionals who keep the Army on the cutting edge of technology through the operation of subordinate research and development centers and laboratories

Agenda Highlights

• Insertion Requirements Workshop- What IS and What IS NOT a requirement? This workshop will identify what the process is for generating and budgeting for a
  requirement.

• Project Tracks- Coatings/Corrosion Control, Inspection/Test, Environmental, Workload/Workforce/Material Management, Metal Working, Manufacturing, Composites.

• Project Briefs- DoD sponsored programs highlighting new technologies focusing of sustainment of legacy platforms.

• Evening Reception- Networking including tabletop technology displays.

Early Discount Registration   Draft Agenda

 

Special thanks to our sponsors!

For more information please contact:

Debbie Lilu, debral@ncms.org, 734-995-7038.

Congratulations to NCMS Director Dr. Thomas Kurfess who has been recognized with the SME Education Award. Renowned as one of the world's leading experts in the field of microscale manufacturing metrology, with research focused on the design and development of high-precision manufacturing and metrology systems, Kurfess began his career in academia at Carnegie Mellon University in 1988, where he rose to the rank of associate professor. 

Dr. Kurfess joined the NCMS Board of Directors which expanded as part of a long-term commitment to keeping the U.S. in a leadership position in global manufacturing.

Full SME Press Release