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Maximizing Supplier Quality with Limited Resources

In aerospace, Q&A, quality, Quality Management System by Alicia CheungLeave a Comment

Q&A with NTS Unitek Prior to the American Aerospace & Defense Summit 2018, we spoke to NTS Unitek to discuss how to maximize supplier quality with limited resources. In this Q&A, we discuss best practices to strengthen a supplier quality management program, how A&D companies can ensure product quality and what strategies A&D companies can employ to streamline their inspections and audits. This is an excerpt from the Q&A Generis did with NTS Unitek:

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Aerospace & Defense Controlled Conditions Facilities

In aerospace, facilities, interview, Q&A by Alicia CheungLeave a Comment

Q&A with The Austin Company’s Donna Lorenzen, PE Prior to the American Aerospace & Defense Summit 2018, we spoke with Donna Lorenzen, Chief Mechanical Engineer at The Austin Company to discuss controlled conditions facilities and best available technologies in the aerospace & defense industry. Donna’s experience in the design and engineering of facilities for the industry is considerable and current. With over 27 years of professional experience in the design and engineering of mechanical systems for aerospace and defense industry facilities, 24 years have been with The Austin Company. This is an excerpt from the Q&A Generis Group did with Donna Lorenzen.

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Arizona: Aerospace & Defense Industry

In aerospace, facilities by Alicia CheungLeave a Comment

Arizona is among the top states in the nation for the aerospace & defense (A&D) industry. Its dry, sunny climate, geographic location, business-friendly and innovative culture, and unwavering commitment to America’s military make it an attractive choice for A&D companies. Factor in affordable wages, the low cost of living, and some of the nations lowest corporate and individual income tax rates, and Arizona is tough to beat. A&D is one of the state’s six key sectors and continues to thrive in Arizona. Arizona has a high concentration of A&D industry leaders; a skilled, talented workforce employed in the industry; numerous military operations; and continual research and development initiatives in the private sector and at the university level. These factors ensure Arizona will remain at the forefront of the A&D industry’s most critical advances.

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How Digital Technologies are Transforming the Aerospace Sector

In aerospace, innovation, interview, Q&A by Alicia CheungLeave a Comment

Praduman K. Tickoo, Vice President of Digital Manufacturing Services and Solutions at L&T Technology Services, will address how digital technologies are transforming the aerospace sector at the American Aerospace & Defense Summit 2018. Prior to the summit, we spoke with Praduman to discuss how aerospace companies can leverage technology and digitization to maximize their ROI and stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape. This is an excerpt from an interview Generis Group did with Praduman K. Tickoo prior to the American Aerospace & Defense Summit 2018.

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3D Printing for Production Manufacturing

In 3D printing, additive manufacturing, aerospace, manufacturing by Alicia CheungLeave a Comment

It’s time to think differently about manufacturing. Taking an idea from prototype to production is no longer bound by the constraints of traditional manufacturing methods. In the era of Industry 4.0, companies are mitigating risk, cutting costs, and speeding time to market with 3D printing – a process that is predicted to revolutionize the world of production. Since its creation in 1983, 3D printing has evolved from a one-dimensional service used for rapid prototyping to a $7.3 billion industry with a footprint in a wide span of industries. Its evolution now helps power the world of manufacturing, increasing innovation and promoting efficiency and sustainability across the globe. Benefits Speed: One of the main benefits of additive manufacturing is the speed of which parts can be produced compared to traditional manufacturing methods. With Forecast 3D’s 3D Manufacturing Center (powered by 24 HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers), customers can get tens of thousands of parts in days, whereas traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding, often done overseas, typically take a month or more to complete Design Flexibility: 3D printing allows for the creation of extremely intricate designs and complex geometries that would often be complicated or even impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods. With additive manufacturing, customers can reiterate their designs and have updated parts quickly. With injection molding, tooling changes are required for every little design tweak, often resulting in several more weeks of waiting. The design flexibility of 3D printing …

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Solving Compliance & Data Management Challenges in the Aerospace & Defense Industry

In aerospace, compliance, interview, Q&A by Alicia CheungLeave a Comment

This is an excerpt from an interview Generis Group did with Assent Compliance prior to the American Aerospace & Defense Summit 2018. “What are some of the biggest regulatory and compliance challenges aerospace and defense companies face? The “Once an Article, Always an Article” ruling under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation has had a significant impact on aerospace and defense companies. They must now evaluate their products for substances of very high concern (SVHCs) under the regulation. Many parts produced by industry manufacturers are complex, containing several subparts and undergoing a range of processes that could potentially introduce restricted chemicals to the end product. Each of these must be evaluated individually in accordance with the article interpretation. The list of chemicals restricted under REACH is also growing considerably and will continue to do so over the coming years. Companies must manage business continuity risk as more SVHCs are restricted, denying them access to substances that are critical to the ongoing maintenance and repair of their products. Companies must also manage a range of emerging human rights legislation that requires them to show year-over-year due diligence efforts to mitigate the risk of human rights violations in their supply chains. Key markets that have introduced disclosure requirements include the U.S., the UK, France and Australia. Additionally, the industry is threatened by a rapidly shifting trade landscape that includes fluctuating tariffs, sanctions, and free trade agreements.”

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Leaders in Aerospace & Defense: Interview with Rod Skotty, President, MHSco

In aerospace, interview, leadership, Q&A by Cressida MurrayLeave a Comment

Rod Skotty is a veteran helicopter pilot. After leaving active duty in 1985, he joined Lockheed Martin, and became President of the Maritime Helicopter Support Company (MHSCo), a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, in 2004. MHSCo has provided performance-based logistics support for over 550 Navy helicopters. Worth nearly $5 Billion, MHSCo is the largest logistics enterprise in naval aviation and key to the MH-60 enjoying the highest readiness and lowest cost per flight hour in the Navy’s inventory. MHSCo has been recognized as a superior supplier to the Navy since 2014. Rod has worked within the defense industry worldwide, including senior management positions for Lockheed Martin in the U.S., U.K., and Canada while residing in those countries. He now lives and raises beef cattle on his farm in upstate New York.

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Highlights from the American Aerospace & Defense Summit

In aerospace, manufacturing by Cressida MurrayLeave a Comment

For two days in December, 150 peers from the aerospace and defense industry gathered at the American Aerospace and Defense Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. Here, they heard first-hand case studies and strategic insights from some of the most prominent manufacturers in the industry, including Airbus, Northrop Grumman, GE, United Technologies Corporation, Raytheon Missile Systems, Triumph Aerospace Structures, and Meggitt. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the key lessons delegates took away from the event were around lean deployment, how to embed a customer focus into every aspect of your business and, above all, organizational culture.

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Additive Manufacturing in the Aerospace Industry

In 3D printing, additive manufacturing, aerospace, Digital Transformation, manufacturing, technology by Cressida MurrayLeave a Comment

“With 3D printing, the old rules of how we design things are out the window,” said Terry Woychowski, VP, NA Test Operations at LINK in his talk on “The Brilliant Machine Age” at the American Automotive Summit. “You can now create a component exactly how you want it, without excess material.” The result is lighter, more cost-effective parts. The opportunities this presents are endless. We have previously covered additive manufacturing in the automotive industry, but the aerospace industry is another place we are seeing the effects of this new technology today. Despite the tremendous opportunities additive manufacturing presents, it is still a time-consuming process, and therefore best suited for high-end components used in low-volume products, such as aircraft. According to a recent study by ABI Research, due to the sheer size of the American aerospace industry and its defense budget, the U.S. aerospace and defense industries will drive much of the growth in additive manufacturing over the next ten years, producing additive manufactured parts and products with a value of US$17.8 billion in 2026.

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Smart Factory Transformation: Tips from Arconic, Raytheon, DARPA and Forcam

In aerospace, automation, manufacturing, Smart Factory by Cressida MurrayLeave a Comment

At the 2016 American Aerospace & Defense Summit, Forcam’s Director of Business Development, John Mack, discussed the Smart Factory Transformation Checklist with our panel of aerospace & defense thought leaders, who have witnessed transformations in their own organizations. Read on to hear the lessons they have learned along the way, including how to achieve buy-in, what to automate, how to start your transformation, aligning your smart factory transformation to your business goals, and what metrics to pay attention to. Panel: John Mack, Director of Business Development, Forcam Jan Vandenbrande, Program Manager, DARPA J. Wade Keith III, Quality & Mission Assurance Staff Executive, Raytheon Missile Systems Markus Heinimann, VP, Engineered Product & Process Technology, Arconic

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