 |
|
September 2003 Welcome to The CTMA Connector, a monthly newsletter designed to provide news and ideas about the Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) program. The CTMA program is a joint Department of Defense/National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (DoD/NCMS) effort promoting collaborative technology development between industry and the DoD maintenance and repair facilities. This newsletter highlights ongoing projects, serves as a forum for promoting new project ideas, and provides other news of interest to the program. Our goal is to stimulate your participation and solicit your input. Feel free to submit items for the newsletter as well as any suggestions to make it more useful. More information about the program can be found at http://ctma.ncms.org/. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the CTMA Connector, send a message to listserv@listserv.ncms.org with "subscribe CTMANewsletter" or "unsubscribe CTMANewsletter" in the subject line. We welcome the following organizations as participants in the CTMA program: Cohesia Corporation Cohesia develops software tools for the manufacturing of complex engineered parts. They are also implementing their web-based MASS® solution as the cornerstone for ensuring Six Sigma quality with leaders in the aerospace and materials industry.
BCT Technology Inc. BCT Technology is a software systems house developing software and providing consulting for PDM systems; classification and standardization of CAD data; extraction of CAD data to support FAI and QC processes; and the integration of legacy data in the 3D CAD design process.
Anautics, Inc. Anautics is a leading software developer, web-based designer, and provider of training and courseware. Anautics offers a wide range of services centered around its' web site development and Distance Learning agenda. Experienced software developers coupled with subject matter expertise, helps keep all Anautics' customers in touch with technology.
Ongoing News: Mark your Calendar for the 2004 CTMA Working Symposium, 30 March through 1 AprilLocation: Emory Conference Center Hotel, Atlanta, GA Theme: "A Practical Roadmap to Manufacturing and Repair" Host Depot: Anniston Army Depot Cosponsors:
The plenary session will include presentations of technology roadmaps from the military and targeted industry, followed by presentations from ongoing projects sponsored by the DoD. We will also spend an afternoon in several workshops to identify new project ideas that benefit both industry and the military installations. New Project Ideas Seek Participants
Friction Stir Welding NCMS and NASA invite you to participate in a Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Workshop and Showcase at the Marshall Institute in Huntsville, Alabama. On September 23/24 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, participants will scope out one or more project(s) in Friction Stir Welding (FSW). The maturity of the FSW process has elevated the solid state welding process into commercial transportation, DoD and aerospace manufacturing applications. FSW is currently being used for Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle manufacturing, and is also being considered for other military ground vehicles as well. In the aerospace sector, the FSW process is being implemented into the Space Shuttle External Tank manufacturing program at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The first production welds were completed earlier this year. In commercial vehicle production, FSW is being applied in aluminum body assembly by Mazda Motor Corporation. Go to http://nasa.rti.org/msfc/fsw/ for the agenda and registration details. Registration for the meeting is due no later than September 15, 2003. Questions should be directed to Gary Burkart, gburkart@charter.net or 612 839-4567.
E nhanced Machine Tool ProductivityControlled motion devices, such as CNC machine tools and robotics, have not been utilized to their full potential because their 3 dimensional (3D) performance has been under specified by 1 and 2 dimensional (1D & 2D) measurement and calibration techniques. Multi-axis (3+) machine tools and robots have 3D work envelopes, but most specifications for the design, procurement, acceptance, assessment and calibration of these machines are based on 1D or 2D measurements. Because of the lack of standardization of tools and procedures in this area, 3D evaluations are prone to errors and misinterpretation. In order to utilize the available skills of the current machine tool workforce (operators, technicians and mechanics) the 3D equivalent of a 2D telescoping ball bar (2DTBB) is required. It is proposed that the 3D long range ball bar (3DLRBB) be developed. It is also proposed that the integration of the 3DLRBB with data acquisition and analysis modules with their respective training modules be completed as well. Independent Quality Labs, Inc (IQL) and Technology Development Associates are proposing this as an 18 month CTMA project. NCMS is seeking additional partners, both within the depot community and commercial community, for this proposed collaboration. Contact Mike Gnam at mikeg@ncms.org, or at 734-995-4971 for additional information.
New Project Ideas (click on topics to see descriptions) We appreciate your feedback. Please contact Chuck Ryan with suggestions or input on other topics that would be of interest to you in this newsletter. The CTMA Program is sponsored by the Department of Defense; the content of this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the government; no official endorsement should be inferred. |
|
|
|
|