*An NCDMM Event

NCDMM Summit 2010 – May 5-6, 2010

The NCDMM recently hosted Summit 2010 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Greensburg, PA. This year's theme, "Transitioning Innovation in Manufacturing," was evident in many of the presentations and tabletop displays. Almost doubling in attendance from last year, Summit 2010 reached capacity again at the new venue with over 200 attendees from 150 companies traveling from 30 states. Throughout the day, 40 Alliance Partners, Manufacturing Consortium members, OEMs, associates and vendors provided tabletop displays of the latest technologies.

The morning session included speakers from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command, General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems Division, GE - Aviation, and The Association for Manufacturing Technology.

The afternoon boasted two separate tracks offering a variety of presentations. Track one focused on Supply Chain Demands and included speakers from Curtiss-Wright EMD; Sikorsky Aircraft; VX Aerospace; UPS; J B Associates; and the NCDMM. Topics included innovations from within the supply chain, small business success stories, LEAN supply chain concepts, the importance of ISO registration, and utilizing social networking with VOICe (Virtual Opportunity Interchange Center).

Track two highlighted several new emerging technologies and their impact on the defense manufacturing industrial base. Track two speakers included representatives from US Army ARDEC; Clemson University; Florida Turbine Technologies; Stratasys, Inc.; Kennametal Inc.; and Schultz-Creehan LLC. Track two topics included modern technical data packages, improved gas turbine engine manufacturing, additive manufacturing technology, machining modern aerospace materials, and innovative metal processing methods like FRICTIONCOAT.

Wrapping up the day's events was an evening reception that offered additional opportunities to socialize and network. During the reception, John VanKirk and Ralph Resnick presented the NCDMM's highest honor, the Lawrence J. Rhoades award, to the family of the late Congressman John P. Murtha. Congressman Murtha recognized the need for our warfighters to be equipped with state of the art weapon systems - produced and maintained by the most efficient manufacturing and machining technology available. Accepting the award on the family's behalf was Col. John Hugya, Congressman Murtha's former Chief of Staff.