Packer Engineering is an international engineering consulting firm providing technical solutions to problems in design, manufacturing, and processes.  Their engineers, scientists, and technical support staff provide cause and origin investigations, failure analysis, and custom testing to solve problems for industry, the insurance and legal communities, government, and academic organizations.

www.packereng.com

Please plan to participate in our third technology showcase to be held April 28-29, 2010.  This is a chance to bring your technologies to the attention of the managers, engineers, and artisans at the Fleet Readiness Center East maintenance center in Cherry Point, North Carolina. 

For additional information please contact:

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

Current DoD Participants: Marine Corps Maintenance Center, Albany; Marine Corps Maintenance Center, Barstow; Army Project Manager, Light Tactical Vehicles; Marine Corps Program Executive Officer, Land Systems

The DoD is facing severe challenges in their tactical ground combat equipment to provide added ballistic protection and survivability to the warfighters, but the added weight increases rollover events, and decreases vehicle performance such as fuel economy, speed, and acceleration.  In addition, vehicle suspension and engine wear are further taxed by the added weight.

This project will work with the PM-Tactical Vehicles to identify weight savings opportunities on the HMMWV applicable to currently fielded vehicles.  The project will:

1. Design an appropriate solution retrofit structure applicable to the deformation resistance welding (DRW) method for the HMMWV.
2. Fabricate the retrofit DRW subcomponent/frame.
3. Mount the subcomponent/frame onto the platform.
4. Validate the performance of the retrofitted platform.
5. Assess the technology as a repair manufacturing method for other systems such as pipe repair on ships.

For more information please contact:  

NCMS Vice President Chuck Ryan, chuckr@ncms.org, (734)995-4905.

Don Bell (WR-ALC), Sam Easley (Boeing), Ben Thompson (FRC-East), Rick Jarman (NCMS),

Rich Curless (MAG Industries), Lisa Phelps (Boeing)

Members of Volumetric Accuracy for Large Machine Tools (VALMT) project team collect the Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award at the 2009 Defense Manufacturing Conference.  It is the seventh such award for NCMS.  The Defense Manufacturing Excellence Awards are presented by the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT) for outstanding cooperative efforts on technology development between government, industry and academia.

The NCMS West office in Bremerton, Washington recently volunmteered at their local St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank.  The food bank provides services and assistance to at-need members of the local community consisting of one food basket per week, and one ‘commodity’ basket per month (shampoo, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid).  Primarily staffed by volunteers, the food bank was very appreciative of the high-tempo contribution of NCMS staff members as demand increases significantly in the fall and winter months.

Prepare your organization for the future
The 2010 IW Bests Plants Conference program is carefully constructed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies to achieve your operational excellence goals and take your organization to the next level.

With over 25 sessions across 4 industry specific tracks, these sessions will render concrete solutions to your real-world operational issues. Session tracks include: continuous improvement 101, advanced continuous improvement, workforce development, and supply chain strategies.

Featured Keynote Speaker:

Rebuilding U.S. Manufacturing and Conquering Economic Problems
Daniel R. DiMicco
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Nucor Corporation

Featuring speakers from:

Speakers’ Lounge
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet with speakers after their session.

Additional ways to connect include:

•    Monday night welcome reception.
•    Tuesday evening Special Event.
•    Penton Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group Solutions Hall.

Don’t miss the 2010 IW Best Plants Conference.

Register at: www.IWBestPlants.com

If you have any questions, please contact Erika Bailey at 216-931-9512 or erika.bailey@penton.com

"...The kind of innovation that Tony and the guys at NCMS are bringing to the table is exactly what the manufacturing industry in the U.S. needs.  Saving millions through enhanced efficiency is a building block to substantially increased competitiveness on a global stage."

Full Article- Industry is Cool: National Center for Manufacturing Sciences

Ultra Precise Calibration Process Will Save DOD Millions Annually

ANN ARBOR, MI – December 2, 2009.  The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) today announced that its Volumetric Accuracy for Large Machine Tools (VALMT) project has pioneered an innovative process in establishing a new methodology in volumetric error compensation for large machine tools.  The costs for current assembly practices of measuring and fitting are substantial; reducing the amount of reworking of machined parts during onsite vehicle assembly will save the Department of Defense (DOD) and the commercial aircraft industry millions of dollars. 

“The innovative VALMT project will save the DOD millions while ensuring weapon systems are mission ready and available for our warfighters when they need them,” said NCMS Vice President Chuck Ryan.  “This technology will also pave the way for reducing the manufacturing costs of commercial ships and aircraft, benefiting both government and industry”

The success of the VALMT project was recognized this week with a Defense Manufacturing Excellence Award presented by the National Center for Advanced Technologies (NCAT), the seventh award of its kind given to NCMS for its outstanding cooperative efforts on technology development between government, industry and academia.

"This groundbreaking process will dramatically reduce assembly and fitting costs which represent up to 1% of the total cost per aircraft," said Sam Easley, Engineer/Scientist, Metallic Processes at The Boeing Company.  "On large programs like the F-18 or the 700 series, we could save $100 million per year."

“VALMT has the potential to save the U.S. Navy money and shave valuable time off of vessel construction costs, putting assets where they are most needed, with the warfighter.” said Faris Ibrahim, Mechanical Engineer of the Naval Foundry and Propeller Center.
 
The VALMT project teamed private industry (Automated Precision Inc., The Boeing Corporation, Siemens Energy and Automation and MAG Cincinnati Machine, LLC) and the DOD (U.S. Air Force Logistics Center, Naval Foundry and Propeller Center, U.S. Navy Fleet Readiness Center East, and the U.S. Army Anniston Depot) using the NCMS R&D collaborative process to quickly develop this groundbreaking technology.

“The success of the VALMT project rests heavily on the technical expertise and collaborative R&D experience of the NCMS and its partners,” stated Richard Curless, CTO at MAG Industrial, “The NCMS has been a leader in bringing government and industry together to create usable technologies for over 23 years and this project is just another of many feathers in their proverbial cap.”

About NCMS

The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) is the largest cross-industry collaborative research and development consortium in North America, and is the only consortia effort in the U.S. devoted exclusively to manufacturing technologies, processes and practices. NCMS has over 20 years of experience in the formation and management of complex, multi-partner collaborative R&D programs, and is backed by corporate members representing virtually every manufacturing sector.