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Get to Know New NCMS Members

NCMS would like to introduce a few new members to our network. Each of our members brings excellence in their respective fields and is a world-class organization. Read more about their capabilities below. 

AGFM ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND REPAIR PROCESSES AND EQUIPMENT 

From the 1940s to today, the GFM worldwide organization has developed unique, highly productive, reliable machine tools and systems for manufacturing and more recently for repair.  GFM was founded in Steyr Austria in 1945, and American GFM (AGFM) was founded in Chesapeake, VA, in 1978.  The AGFM facilities manufacture unique Radial Forging Machines and Crankshaft Milling Machines.  The Radial Forging Technology is the most economical way of working high alloyed materials to achieve specific properties while providing many technical advantages.  The ability to process solid and hollow workpieces with varying outside diameter and inside diameter contours is a distinct advantage of GFM Radial Forging Machines.  They are ideally suited to process components in many industries, including automotive, oil and gas, energy generation, medical, aerospace, defense, and railroad.  The success of the above-mentioned technologies has created a strong base of proven performance and reliability, providing credibility for GFM and AGFM as excellent machine tool manufacturers.   

Over the past three decades, the following machine tools have been added by GFM:  A) Four–axis Ultrasonic Plycutters, B) Six–Axis Ultrasonic Cutting Machines for Honeycomb Sculpting and for Ultrasonic Cutting of complex-shaped thick composite layups, plus C) Three–axis and Five–axis Routers, and D) Combination Six-axis Ultrasonic Cutting/Five–axis Routing Machines.  Each of these machine tools has proven to be more productive and reliable than other processes offered for similar applications, especially for composite applications. 

Over the past decade AGFM/GFM has developed the following: 

  • Automated/Robotic Pick and Distribute Systems for applications of “Automation of the Ultrasonic Plycutting to the Ply Kitting for Layups”  
  • Scarfing Systems for Repair Departments and/or Repair depots, for the Inspection and Repair of high quantities of Composite Parts which contain Manufacturing Defects or Damage 
  • Along with partner Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research, AGFM/GFM are currently developing a Portable Composite Repair System (PCRS), which will enable either “on aircraft repair” or “off aircraft repair,” which could include other situations wherein either an aircraft composite component took off the aircraft or non-aircraft composite component, not taken to a repair depot. 

For more information contact Brad Fair at fair@agfm.com or visit http://www.agfm.com/   

HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES UNMANNED SYSTEMS 

Unmanned Systems, a business group within Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Technical Solutions division, creates advanced unmanned maritime solutions for defense, marine research, and commercial applications.  Serving customers in more than 30 countries, HII provides design, autonomy, manufacturing, testing, operations, and sustainment of unmanned systems, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs). 

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles 

A world leader in advanced unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), HII offers solutions across all classes of UUVs, from small class to extra-large class. 

HII UUVs can explore hazardous areas autonomously, collecting valuable data for applications, including mine countermeasures, area search, marine research, hydrographic survey, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance—all without putting operators in harm’s way. 

Product lines and equipment include: 

  • REMUS 
  • Seaglider 
  • Proteus 
  • UUV Auxiliary Equipment 
  • Launch and Recovery Systems 
  • Subsea Docking and Infrastructure 

Design, Development, Production & Sustainment 

HII provides end-to-end support of unmanned systems operating in the maritime domain.  We are experts in all things unmanned, including design, autonomy, manufacturing, testing, operations and sustainment.  HII also provides the enabling and support equipment for unmanned systems as well as services for repair, upgrade and maintenance. 

To learn more about Huntington Ingalls Industries Unmanned Systems contact Christian Raab at christian.raab@hii-tsd.com or visit https://tsd.huntingtoningalls.com/capabilities/unmanned-systems/  

MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 

Michigan Technological University (MTU) is a public research university in the state’s Upper Peninsula with more than 7,000 students from 50+ countries. 

A leader in cybersecurity education and research, MTU is home to the Center for Cybersecurity, specializing in research related to information security and biometrics, privacy protection, trusted software engineering, and security in mobile computing and wireless communications.  Faculty research is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Microsoft, Google, and others.  The Center also strives to advance the practice and public awareness of cybersecurity through various education and outreach activities.  MTU is a participating institution in the NSF CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program, a nationwide effort to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers.  

Under a University-wide Advanced Materials and Manufacturing initiative, MTU is redoubling its efforts to improve its longstanding strengths in materials and manufacturing to support existing and future industries.  For instance, the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing initiative supports the University’s research in experimental and digital design of advanced materials, like the composite materials in the NASA Space Technologies Research Institute for Ultra-Strong Composites by Computational Design (US-COMP). MTU also established a Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology department within its College of Engineering.  

Advanced materials efforts also include facilitating the next generation of forest biomaterials.  Currently, the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) is working with MTU researchers in their sustainable bioproducts program to identify different lumber products and treatments to use for trailer decking that are superior in resistance to biodeterioration.  MTU researchers are also developing new bio-based materials for Ford Motor Company that will make vehicles lighter and displace the use of nonrenewable materials while maintaining performance criteria and cost requirements. 

To learn how you can work directly with Michigan Technological University contact Mark Rudnicki at mrudnick@mtu.edu or visit https://www.mtu.edu/  

ZOLLER INC  

ZOLLER offers system solutions for presetting, measuring, inspecting, and managing cutting tools all from a single source.  As a third-generation family-owned company with more than 75 years of experience, its production expertise, outstanding service, and consultation services align with the goal to become a key contributor to their clients’ long-term success. 

Precision for Every Application 

When success is determined by just a few microns, it is imperative to start with precise measurement, inspection, and presetting.  From cutting tool manufacturers, medical technology, automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace companies to industrial robotics, energy technology, and many other industrial sectors trust Zoller technology.  

Reduce Machine Downtime 

With Zoller, our clients increase their productivity while reducing machine downtime.  They benefit from ergonomic and easy to operate systems that ensure data consistency that enables outstanding quality “first part, good part” scenarios each and every time.   

Learn more about Zoller contact Dietmar Moll at Moll@zoller-usa.com or visit https://www.zoller.info/us/home 

To learn more about the benefits of NCMS membership visit https://www.ncms.org/membership/