NASA's three WB-57s flying over Houston. This footage was captured by the AIRS/DyNAMITE system technology that was developed in Southern Research Engineering labs.

Birmingham, Alabama – Southern Research was awarded a 5-year sole source contract renewal from NASA in the amount of $9.95 million to provide continued support of the Airborne Imaging and Recording System (AIRS) used on WB-57 research aircraft for more than a decade. 

This is the second sole source contract received by the Birmingham-based non-profit organization for work on this unique high altitude research program. The first was granted in 2011 for a total value of $28.5 million.

Southern Research began working on AIRS in 2003 in an effort to develop a high-definition video imaging system capable of monitoring the upcoming NASA STS-114 Return to Flight shuttle launch following the Columbia accident. The technology was developed in a Southern Research lab and designed to affix to the nose cap of a WB-57 aircraft. In this capacity AIRS proved capable of providing full motion HD video of rocket launches ascending into space at distances far exceeding 25 miles.

"We consider it an honor to be able to support NASA, in any mission," said Johanna Lewis, director, Program Management Office, Southern Research Engineering division. "After the success of our initial AIRS project, NASA began to develop new applications for the technology, and we have been pleased to play an expanded role supporting NASA's high-altitude research team ever since."

The WB-57 is a unique plane. Originally designed as B-57 bombers, NASA first began to retrofit the planes in the 1960s to be used for science and research purposes – the "W" added to the name stands for weather. Today, there are only three WB-57s in service, and they are frequently flown at heights exceeding 60,000ft, and at speeds reaching 410kts.

Since the AIRS-equipped WB-57s were first used to provide full motion video of the NASA STS-114 launch in 2005, they have since monitored numerous launches and re-entries for government agencies such as NASA and DoD, as well as commercial launches such as SpaceX. Additionally, the AIRS technology has been used to conduct atmospheric research missions, high-altitude mapping, and remote sensing operations. The WB-57 fleet is also used by NASA to conduct high-altitude training for astronauts. 

"When it comes to working on and around the issues of space flight, there is endless possibility but no room for error," said Michael D. Johns, Ph.D., vice president of the Engineering Division at Southern Research. "In order to be successful throughout the years, our team has embraced each new challenge with a level of dedication and professional intrigue that has allowed us to advance the AIRS technology and add value as partners in the expansion of the WB-57 program. The fact that NASA has honored us with a second sole source contract to continue this work is a signal that we have yet to cross the final frontier."

Source: Southern Research

Chicago, Illinois - IoT & Process Analytics are hot topics that often conjure images of incomprehensible data and a feeling of what to do with it.  However, a phrase that captures the REAL desire behind data, IoT, and analytics is “Actionable Intelligence”. By definition, Actionable Intelligence boosts your company’s ability to compete, both in the traditional peer to peer sense, and in the true cost of manufacturing sense. Actionable Intelligence has the potential for a two-fold gain effect on the company profitability through better cost control and through analytics to help drive top-line sales.  The importance of this concept, as it regards capital assets, will be demonstrated through a discussion across multiple industrial cutting tool platforms and leading competitive software suites that will equip you with the right questions to ask when making a purchasing decision on equipment or software that will ultimately give you Actionable Intelligence.

About the speaker
Kris Scherm is currently the Fabrication Product Manager for Multicam Inc. responsible for all laser, plasma, and waterjet products.  His career has been spent in the cutting / metal separation side of the business for over 17 years, visiting 1000’s of end users helping them achieve greater efficiency and throughput by process improvement or better process selection regarding an asset or software.  Kris has a double degree from LeTourneau University in Welding and Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University.  Kris has had the privilege of working for best in class industry companies such as Air Liquide, Hypertherm, and now Multicam, a leading global provider of CNC cutting solutions.

Registration for theIMTS 2016 Conferencesis open now!

Attending IMTS 2016 Conferences  is a smart educational move.

This year’s program focuses on continuous improvement in manufacturing operations – from improving productivity, part quality, and overall equipment effectiveness, to developing a stable, competent workforce. With this variety of topics and tracks, IMTS 2016 Conferences can help you focus on finding solutions to the manufacturing challenges you may face as well as growing your knowledge in this fast-changing industry.

When you register to attend the IMTS 2016 Conferences you are providing yourself the opportunity to network and expand your knowledge through interactions with peers and experts throughout this 4-day conference, which runs concurrently with IMTS 2016 – one of the largest industrial trade shows in the world. Opportunities abound for you to learn about the challenges others have faced and overcome, and you may even relate to some of those scenarios within your operations. Engagement with those who have struggled with similar situations is an ideal way to educate yourself for developing a plan for improvement.

Now that you can click over to the IMTS 2016 Conference Guide - available in digital, flipbook, and PDF formats - you’ll find details of each days’ schedule – separated into five tracks with specific focuses for each one, and more about the presenters and the companies they represent.

This years’ IMTS 2016 Conference looks at:

Process Innovations

• New Materials
• R & D
• Composites
• Tooling/Workholding
• General Cutting
• Grinding

Alternative Manufacturing

• Additive/3D Printing
• EDM
• Waterjet
• Laser
• Fastening/Joining
• Welding

Plant Operations

• Energy Efficiency
• Lean Manufacturing
• Cost Justification
• Training/Workforce
• Government Initiatives
• Lifecycle Management

Automation

• CAD/CAM
• Connectivity
• Motion Control
• Robotics
• Software
• Vision Systems

Quality

• Measurement
• Testing
• Inspection
• Standards
• Optical/3D

After reviewing the following pages, please don’t forget to review the second event we are helping coordinate, the Integrated Industries Conference, taking place Sept. 13, 2016. This one-day conference ties in closely with technology on the show floor, and features motion, drive & automation; surface technology; Internet of things, and Industry 4.0.

Connected-machine technology is evolving quickly, so getting up-to-date guidance from industry experts is critical to navigating this industrial future. Hannover Fairs USA, the U.S. wing of HANNOVER MESSE, is co-locating five trade shows with The International Manufacturing Technology Show – IMTS 2016:

•  ComVac North America – The show will highlight product developments,technology, and plant and system components for compressed air and vacuum systems.
•  Surface Technology North America – The event will cover the spectrum of industrial surface treatment and finishing – cleaning and pre-treatment to coatings, paint finishes, and electroplating.
•  Motion, Drive, & Automation North America – On display will be the latest technologies and solutions in power transmission, motion control, and fluid technology.
•  Industrial Automation North America – Building on a successful year in 2014, the show will feature cutting-edge in factory, process, and building automation.
•  Industrial Supply North America – The event will cover major topics in the worlds of industrial subcontracting and lightweight construction.

 In conjunction with those shows, Hannover Fairs USA will host the Integrated Industries Conference on Sept. 13, 2016, to help guide visitors on this changing landscape. In addition to discussions of data integration, IIoT, and Industry 4.0, attendees will have a chance to learn about surface finishing technologies and motion, drives, and automation.

 Advanced data systems are transforming manufacturing, and the Integrated Industries Conference will provide needed insights and context on how to guide your organization’s future.

 Registration is now open for all conferences – www.IMTS.com/conference – and we hope you will join us for these educational opportunities while attending IMTS 2016.

 

Here’s the new flipbook for IMTS conference guide.

Denver, Colorado – For being our familiar anchor in the night sky, the moon still holds mysteries for scientists. To illuminate the unknown, Lockheed Martin has signed a contract with NASA to deploy SkyFire, a 6U CubeSat planned to launch to the moon in 2018 with Orion’s Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1).

“SkyFire’s lunar flyby will pioneer brand new infrared technology, enabling scientists to fill strategic gaps in lunar knowledge that have implications for future human space exploration,” said John Ringelberg, Lockheed Martin’s SkyFire project manager. “Partnering with NASA for another element of the Orion and Space Launch System EM-1 flight is very exciting.”

This groundbreaking infrared camera will take high quality images with a lighter, simpler unit. This reduction in mass means lower payload cost and easier maneuverability in space.

“The CubeSat will look for specific lunar characteristics like solar illumination areas,” said James Russell, Lockheed Martin SkyFire principal investigator. “We’ll be able to see new things with sensors that are less costly to make and send to space.”

The moon is just the proving ground for this new technology. If successful, the infrared system on SkyFire could eventually be used for cost-effective studies of a planet’s resources before humans arrive. This includes tasks like analyzing soil conditions, determining ideal landing sites and discovering a planet’s most livable areas.

“For a small CubeSat, SkyFire has a chance to make a big impact on future planetary space missions,” Russell explained. “With less mass and better instruments, we can get closer, explore deeper and learn more about the far reaches of our solar system.”

It’s not only SkyFire’s technology that makes this little CubeSat’s mission larger-than-life. As part of NASA’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) program, SkyFire will catch a ride to the moon with 12 other CubeSats on EM-1.

SkyFire is a public-private partnership between Lockheed Martin and NASA. Lockheed Martin will build the satellite with internal investments, and the newly-signed contract will grant Lockheed Martin access to send the satellite to the moon aboard the EM-1 launch. NASA will in turn receive data from the mission. The Lockheed Martin development team primarily consists of early-career engineers in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder.

Source: Lockheed Martin