NCMS seeks assistance for ongoing project related to web-based access to high performance computing tools. The optimal scope requires part time support (1-2 days / month) to review and document the generic steps followed to validate a computer model.  These generic steps must then be embodied in an “application” that can be broadly used to validate computer models in simulations such that the information generated can confidently leveraged.  The respondent should have a strong understanding of computer modeling, simulation and engineering, design space exploration methods, and particular knowledge of the use of complexity as a design metric.  Understanding the complexity-based methods used by the Ontospace software tools as supplied by Ontonix LLC is required.

NCMS is looking for a partner that has the right technical capabilities, can work with experienced people in this field, and offer best overall process to accomplish the goals and objectives of this project.  All interested parties must reply by July 24^th.

For more information please contact:   

NCMS Executive Director of Design & Engineering Programs
Jon Riley, jonr@ncms.org (734) 995-0556

NCMS is seeking participants for a new forming NMRPP project, Catapult Alignment Position Measurement Automation.

The current aircraft carrier catapult alignment method is marginally reliable due to multiple degrees of error and limited data.  Over the 100 meter length of the catapult trough, mechanics repeatedly align a fixture to reference lasers and manually conduct gap and alignment measurements of catapult trough components at fixed points.  Trough components, as well as reference points, significantly shift over the data collection period as a result of thermal effects. Accuracy also suffers from laser instability, difficult fixture centering, mechanical measurement error and recording errors.  A more comprehensive, accurate and reliable representation of component position is needed to determine position corrections in a shorter time.  More accurate data and increased data points would result in better alignment, fewer position correction iterations, fewer alignment checks, and less overhaul schedule risk. 

This project anticipates development of an automated measurement system to increase the speed, accuracy and quantity of component position measurements.  Possibilities would include:

• Automated distance measuring and data acquisition devices, providing increased accuracy over cross-sectional distance
• Photogrammetry
• Laser alignment technologies
• Various other applicable technologies used in metrology, independent or in conjunction as a suite to acquire data points over 100 meters
• The above real-time data acquisition systems to be transmitted to a portable laptop or storage device.

The objectives of the NMRPP Catapult Alignment Position Measurement Automation project are:

• perform detailed requirements analysis and validation of current catapult alignment procedures
• identify cost effective automated metrology technologies
• define the tools, standards and processes to support proper alignment of catapult components.

Additionally, this project seeks to enagage metrology experts, laser and optics technologies, and software developers to achieve the necessary collaborations to develop the optimum technology solution to achieve improved catapult alignment position measurement. This project currently seeks commercial and Department of Defense participants with an interest in metrology, laser alignment, or other technologies related to an extended-length measurement process.  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.

Heidi Hottinger heidih@ncms.org (360) 782-1370.

Photo credit U.S. Navy.

NCMS is seeking participants for a new forming NMRPP project, New Technology Metal Deposition Repair for Navy Ship/Submarine Components.

Current methods of Metal Deposition Repair (MDR) for worn and corroded components are primarily limited to electroplating/conventional welding processes, which have significant limitations for component repair.  New MDRs are needed for valve bodies, valve balls, pump housings, compressors, impellers, shaft components/seals, and many other general wear and sealing areas on ships and submarines.

A number of existing metal deposition capabilities are available which could be applied to Navy component repair, building on existing, proven capabilities.
This project anticipates development of a wider range of repair options for problematic applications.  Significant ROI potential is possible by salvaging components previously scrapped, increased repair longevity, increasing operational availabilities and reducing repair costs of current repair processes (a previous aluminum laser deposition resulted in a cost savings of $35K per torpedo/target shell).  The objectives of the NMRPP New Technology MDR project are:

• perform component selection/ROI analysis
• develop repair process applicable to selected components, including performing metallurgical analyses
• obtain NAVSEA certification for up to three Fleet components.

Additionally, this project seeks to engage machinery OEMs, materials and software developers to achieve the necessary collaborations to develop the potential of these technologies for DoD and industrial applications.  This project currently seeks commercial and Department of Defense participants with an interest in electron beam deposition-welding, direct metal deposition, friction stir processing, metallurgical analysis, laser deposition, kinetic-spray, high velocity oxygenated fuel, and similar technologies related to component repair processes.  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. 

For more information please contact:

Heidi Hottinger heidih@ncms.org (360) 782-1370.

Photo credit U.S. Navy.

NCMS is seeking participants for a new forming NMRPP project, Environmentally Friendly Cutting Solutions. 

The current method employed for large-scale cutting and ship disposal (Oxy-Fuel) creates large quantities of visible emissions, metal fumes and debris.  Federal and State Clean Air Acts prohibit visible emissions greater than 20% opacity.  Attempts to control emissions to comply with these requirements have results in increased project costs and longer schedule duration.  This project will:

1. Develop and implement process improvements to control emissions associated with current cutting methods
2. Investigate steel cutting technologies with productivity comparable to standard flame cutting while meeting environmental requirements
3. Demonstrate effectiveness of these technologies on multiple cutting applications, where opacity levels, dry dock discharges and hazard waste reduction levels meet requirements of local, state and federal laws.

This project currently seeks commercial and Department of Defense participants with an interest in diamond rope cutting, plasma-arc welding, waterjet cutting, laser cutting, or other technology related to large equipment cut-up with minimized opacity generation.   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.

For more information please contact:

Heidi Hottinger heidih@ncms.org (360) 782-1370.

Photo credit U.S. Navy.

NCMS announces the formation of a new collaboration- Navy Maintenance and Repair Partnership Program (NMRPP).  Launching in the Pacific Northwest, with Project Managers assigned to NCMS West, in Bremerton, WA., NMRPP supports Naval shipyard and other maintenance and repair operations essential to sustain the most critical ships and undersea weapon systems in the Navy and assure maximum availability to warfighters. 

NCMS collaborative projects for research, development, evaluation and technology insertion highly leverage combined resources, knowledge and capabilities of participants to yield results and benefits faster and at lower cost than typical individual efforts.  NMRPP has been developed by NCMS to demonstrate, through selected technology deployments involving the Navy Maintenance and Logistics Community, that a wide range of commercial manufacturing technologies and best business practices currently unavailable to the Navy can have a substantial impact upon operating and sustainment costs and the readiness of major weapon systems.

Three projects are forming and are currently seeking potential industry and DoD partners:  Environmentally Friendly Cutting Solutions, New Technology Metal Deposition Repair for Navy Ship/Submarine Components, and Catapult Alignment Position Measurement Automation.

On 28 – 29 April, FRC East hosted a Technology Showcase sponsored by the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) through its Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities program (CTMA).  The showcase brought leading technology companies into FRC East to see first hand the challenges our maintainers face in order to identify innovative commercial solutions.

The Technology Showcase opened with Col. Loch providing an overview of FRC East operations and Mr. Greg Kilchenstein from OSD’s Maintenance Policy and Programs office providing an overview of maintenance technology’s role in DoD’s overarching strategy and he outlined the Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities program as proven technology transition venue.  NCMS member companies were given a comprehensive tour of FRC East operations and facilities.  Next on the agenda were table top displays, strategically located throughout the depot to ensure easy access for all base personnel to see the technologies  The table top displays provided industry representatives a unique opportunity to learn about challenges faced directly by the maintainers.  The first day concluded with a networking event at the “The Pitt.”  The second day was dedicated to one-on-one industry presentations with base personnel regarding solutions with immediate potential for deployment at FRC East.

The Technology Showcase was a powerful example of how the CTMA Program fast tracks innovative technical solutions from private industry directly into the hands of DoD personnel to increase systems availability while reducing cost.

NCMS members displaying technology included DIT-MCO International, Aging Aircraft Consulting, LLC, Superior Controls, iMAST/ARL (Penn State), Stratasys, Eclypse International, Adapt Laser Systems, Automated Precision, Inc., Aerowing, Imaginestics, LLC, Spatial Integrated Systems, Inc.,  Spectro Inc., GSA Service Company,  POM Group, REI Systems, Inc., and Pendaran Inc.,

Three CTMA projects have been formed to immediately meet FRC East needs:

• Wiring Shop Modernization - upgrade the capability to build and test wiring harnesses, currently very labor and time intensive.
• Automated Robotic Blade Stripping System (ARBSS) - Provide a reliability upgrade and training.  In addition, assess the challenges for wider deployment of automated paint stripping technology.
• Large Area Inspection of Composite Parts- evaluate and identify improved methods for detecting damage to composite aircraft components.

The Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) Program is collaboration between the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, its member companies, and the Department of Defense (DoD).  Under an historic Cooperative Agreement between NCMS and the OSD Office for Maintenance Policy and Programs,, NCMS and its member companies co-sponsor technology development, deployment and validation with DoD organic maintenance activities.  The current focus is the use of maintenance related technologies to reduce the costs associated with maintenance and rebuild of weapons systems as an element of the overall DoD maintenance strategy.

By partnering with NCMS government services members, the organic DoD maintenance activities are able to quickly assess the benefits of new manufacturing technologies in their own facilities, working side-by-side with industry leaders solving manufacturing problems through collaboration.

NCMS is the largest cross-industry collaborative research and development consortium in North America, and is the only consortium in the U.S. devoted exclusively to maintenance technologies, processes and practices. NCMS has nearly 25 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.

The next Technology Showcase will be 8 – 9 June at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany Maintenance Center in Albany, Georgia.

NCMS is partnering with the Department of Energy (DOE) to identify and develop critical manufacturing technologies vital to the affordable manufacturing of alternative energy systems.  THe call for Concept Papers 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 the web site for details:  www.ncms.org  

Please direct 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)

NCMS is requesting help in the production of concepts for a new project opportunity related to web based access to high performance computing tools. The optimal scope is to create within a two to four week window, sufficient visual concepts using rapid development simulation processes and tools. The end product should enable visualization of key interactive feature sets prior to the development of any web application code.

NCMS is looking for a partner that can bring forth experienced people, the right technical solution and best overall process to accomplish the goals and objectives of this project.

For more information please contact:

NCMS Executive Director of Design & Engineering Programs Jon Riley, jonr@ncms.org (734) 995-0556

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.