NCDMM-led Projects were Recently Honored by the National Association of Manufactures with 2020 Manufacturing Leadership Awards
Blairsville, Pa. — August 20, 2020. The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) proudly recognizes its partners for their project contributions and role in multiple award commendations from the National Association of Manufacturers. NCDMM-led projects were recently announced as the winner of three 2020 Manufacturing Leadership Awards.
“NCDMM’s business methodology has always been one centered upon collaboration,” said Jim Fisher, NCDMM Executive Director of Advanced Manufacturing. “We not only draw upon our extensive in-house expertise, but also a vast partner network made of top industry leaders. To advance manufacturing innovation for our customers, we recognize that it often takes a team approach with the contributions and insights of many to attain new levels of manufacturing excellence. The NCDMM is fortunate to have a diverse and innovative group of partners. In the spirit of both leadership and partnership, it’s only right that we shine the spotlight on our partners and recognize their significant contributions to these successful and award-winning projects.”
The three programs recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers are:
- AMNOW: NCDMM, Catalyst Connection, The Barnes Global Advisors, the Office for Operational Excellence at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, LECS Energy LLC, Youngstown Business Incubator, Strongkey, Quotient Inc., and Advanced Engineering Solutions, with funding from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) – Aviation & Missile Center through the U.S. Army Manufacturing Science and Technology (MS&T) Division launched the AMNOW program to support additive manufacturing (AM) technology insertion into the existing U.S. Army supply chain. As an ongoing, multi-phase program AMNOW will enable significant strategic and tactical advantages and help increase the U.S. Army’s readiness and facilitate on-demand production of materials in support of warfighters and commanders on the battlefield.
- Advanced Automation for Agile Aerospace Applications (A5): NCDMM, The Boeing Company, and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), with funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), created a foundational open-source software framework for adaptive robotic solutions in aerospace manufacturing and sustainment with the A5 program. By successfully enabling a departure from traditional automation solutions that are tied directly to a specific component or aircraft, the project team implemented a future state in which automation solutions adapt to part variations by using models that are combined with real-time sensor data to drive the automation process.
- On-tool Inspection of Automated Composite Material Placement: NCDMM, Ingersoll Machine Tools, and Orbital ATK (acquired by Northrop Grumman), with funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and oversight from AFRL, the On-tool Inspection program was able to automate an intensive manual inspection process of a composite structure fabrication method called automated fiber placement (AFP) that is widely used by both military and commercial aerospace programs with great accuracy. The development of an on-tool inspection system achieved an impressive defect detection rate of up to 99.7% in real-time of aircraft components produced by AFP and improved overall high-speed AFP operations.
“On behalf of all of us at NCDMM, I extend our thanks and congratulations to our partners on these awarded programs for their role and contributions,” said Gary Fleegle, NCDMM Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The successful project outcomes, as well as the award citations, underscore the importance of teamwork and collaboration and what can be achieved together.”
The National Manufacturing Association awardees are slated to be officially recognized on October 8th at the virtual Manufacturing Leadership Award Gala on October 8. The Gala is a prelude to Rethink: The Manufacturing Leadership Council Summit, which will also be held virtually October 27-29. Rethink brings together manufacturing operations leaders for next-level networking and information exchange in three categories: thought leadership, organizational strategy, and technology implementation best practices. The Manufacturing Leadership Council developed the Manufacturing Leadership Awards to honor manufacturing companies and leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing.
For more information about NCDMM or about becoming part of our Alliance Partner Network, visit ncdmm.org.
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About NCDMM
NCDMM delivers innovative and collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness. NCDMM has extensive knowledge and depth in defense manufacturing to continually innovate, improve, and advance manufacturing technologies and methodologies. Our experienced team specializes in identifying the needs, the players, the technologies, and processes to attain optimal solutions for our customers. We connect the dots. That’s the NCDMM methodology. NCDMM is a subsidiary of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc. (MTDG) and also manages America Makes and the V4 Institute. For additional information, visit the NCDMM at https://ncdmm.org/ and follow @NCDMMnews on Twitter.
About Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc.
The Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc. (MTDG) is committed to transforming the advanced manufacturing industrial base throughout the world by driving innovation and accelerating growth. It is the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit holding company of both the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and Advanced Manufacturing International, Inc. (AMI), a new subsidiary and sister company to NCDMM. Founded in 2020, MTDG is headquartered in Clearwater, Fla. For more information, visit MTDG at https://mtdg.org/.
About the Manufacturing Leadership Awards
The Manufacturing Leadership Awards honor manufacturing companies and individual manufacturing leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Winning projects and individual manufacturing leaders have demonstrated achievement in one of a wide range of categories, and are chosen by a panel of expert judges for results that have delivered clear and compelling value, return on investment, and other tangible outcomes. There will be several winners in each category, including one High Achiever’s Award in each category, as well as a 2020 Manufacturer of the Year for both small and large enterprises. Also unveiled at the gala will be the ML Awards Manufacturing Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award winners. For more information on the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala or Rethink: The Manufacturing Leadership Council Summit, please go to www.MLCRethink.com.
Manufacturing Leadership Council
A division of the National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturing Leadership Council is the nation’s recognized leader in Manufacturing 4.0 insights, which cover topics such as artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, additive manufacturing, current workforce digital readiness and cybersecurity. The MLC provides its membership with content via webinars, the bimonthly Manufacturing Leadership Journal, exclusive survey research on its member-driven critical issues, an annual 3-day conference, the Manufacturing Leadership Awards and in-depth factory tours. For more information, visit https://www.manufacturingleadershipcouncil.com.
About the National Association of Manufacturers
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, possesses the largest economic impact of any major sector, and accounts for more than 75% of all private-sector research and development in the nation. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the National Association of Manufacturers, visit www.nam.org.