MT Magazine September/October 2024

BUILDING SATELLITE THRUSTERS — IN MICHIGAN WHILE MICHIGAN IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH CARS, AN INNOVATIVE COMPANY IN THE STATE’S UPPER PENINSULA IS PRODUCING THRUSTERS BASED ON ADVANCED ION PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY. (YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT.) by Gary S. Vasilash | 13

FASTER: THE RELENTLESSNESS OF CHANGE by Douglas K. Woods | 01 VISITORS ENERGIZED AND EMPOWERED AT IMTS 2024 by Michelle Edmonson | 21 SPARKS FLY: A JOURNEY FROM FOUNDRY TO SPACE FLIGHT by Kathy Webster | 27

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 THE SPACE ISSUE VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 5

A VIEW FROM THE WOODS

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Faster: The Relentlessness of Change When the iPhone was introduced in 2007, people were skeptical. After all, telephones had physical keyboards (remember the BlackBerry?), and here was a smooth surface. In the 17 years since, more than 2.3 billion iPhones have sold globally. What’s more – and this is quite producing a customer’s orders so your company will be immune to any supplier-reduction moves – or pivoting to producing something else entirely. Keeping things running smoothly every day is difficult enough, so developing both market intelligence and an understanding of the new technologies (everything from digital twins to additive to 5G to edge computing) is, admittedly, daunting.

But this is manageable if you leverage your resources. I’m not just claiming this. I spent the better part of my career doing it. A shop owner or company president needs to have people in place – from those keeping production running to managing programs to maintaining financials – ready to dedicate a non trivial amount of time to learning what’s going on in existing and potential markets. This could be as much as 30% to 40% of one’s time. While this may seem excessive, think about the companies that provided the tooling for those cellphone keyboards: How long did they have? Or what about suppliers to carburetor manufacturers? Changes of this nature are simply happening much faster. So, a commitment to ensuring you know what’s going on is critical. Then there is the issue of new technologies. While your shop floor may be full of tried-and-true equipment supplemented here and there by a few pieces of new, or newer, machines, chances are this setup is doing what you’ve long been doing. But technology likely exists that could greatly reduce your production costs – or, importantly, provide you with the means to do something that your competitors can’t do (they probably have similar shop floors to yours) or that your customers may find advantageous. It may be worth risking as much as 10% of your capex equipment budget on the chance that some technology may provide your company with a competitive advantage. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that AMT develops substantial market intelligence for its members, so we are eager to help you learn about the current and changing environment. AMT also organizes events to put members in front of companies that may be familiar as well as those outside their regular sphere. And, of course, through events like IMTS, AMT aggregates an unparalleled collection of the latest manufacturing technology. But the point is that maintaining the status quo, doing what you’ve always done, is simply not sustainable. Change is coming fast and hard – and continuously. While you can’t stop it, you can position yourself to use it to your company’s advantage.

a bit more – if you take into account smartphone makers like Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Transsion, companies that refused to move on from the physical interface are out of business or doing something else entirely. Consider this: BlackBerry had 46% of the phone market in 2010 – and 6% by 2013. It has since transitioned into being a leading security software developer. In the auto industry, despite some fits and starts, major OEMs are very clear in their global commitment to switch from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion systems. Companies making everything from camshafts to pistons will find their orders declining. It might be slow, then fast. Or it might be gradual as purchase orders keep coming in, smaller every time, until they don’t. But it is inevitable. Consider the burgeoning field of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. While these are still early days for everything from certification to build-out of production capacity, billions of dollars are being invested. EVTOLs represent a business opportunity for manufacturers – and not necessarily just for those from the aerospace industry. Not only are the demands different – these craft are powered by electric motors, not propulsion engines – but companies unfamiliar to the aircraft market are involved in building out the manufacturing, such as Stellantis working with Archer Aviation. Change is happening faster than ever. With it comes opportunities – as well as potentially insurmountable challenges to the status quo. September’s IMTS presented an array of manufacturing technologies that surprised even me – and I spend a lot of my time focused on this field! I can say without hesitation that I saw a considerable number of new and amazing machines, systems, software, and services – and, for those savvy enough to take advantage, their potential. While manufacturing technology is ever evolving, its pace is arguably increasing, driven in part by companies that previously focused on consumer products (e.g., Amazon, Nvidia, Google). What’s more, long-existing companies in the field have long existed because they understand that not advancing is synonymous with declining. If we accept that changes in end markets are accelerating, then companies supplying the OEMs or tier ones in that end market face serious risks. So, the challenge that arises is understanding both (1) market changes and (2) the technologies that can help a company address those changes. This may mean more effectively and efficiently

Douglas K. Woods President AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology

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Table of Contents

Click See what’s trending

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Manufacturing Matters Get details on the latest industry news

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AMT Upcoming Events Important manufacturing technology dates and events to bookmark

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Building Satellite Thrusters — In Michigan by Gary S. Vasilash

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The Big Picture How Manufacturing Technology Accelerates Space Exploration (and Why That Matters)

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Visitors Energized and Empowered at IMTS 2024 by Michelle Edmonson

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Must-See Manufacturing Streaming by Bonnie Gurney

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Sparks Fly: A Journey From Foundry to Space Flight by Kathy Keyes Webster and Catherine "Cat" Ross

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Digital Twin: What's OpenUSD? by Stephen LaMarca

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Not Just a Nostalgia Grab: The Space Race Renewed by Chris Chidzik

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COVER DESIGN Jacob McCloskey | Senior Graphic Designer

INFOGRAPHIC DESIGN How Manufacturing Technology Accelerates Space Exploration (and Why That Matters) Hailey Sarnecki | Graphic Designer

MT Manufacturing Technology (ISSN # 2836-2896), September/October 2024, Issue 5, is published bi-monthly by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 900, McLean VA 22102. Periodicals Postage Paid at Merrifield, VA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MT Manufacturing Technology at 7901 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 900, McLean VA 22102.

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Click MT Magazine is more than just paper pulp and ink. Explore our content on AMTonline.org and engage with discussions on a wide array of topics affecting manufacturing technology now.

MTForecast 2024: Data. Economics. Strategies. MTForecast 2024 will provide attendees with key industry forecasting, market insights, diverse networking opportunities, and data analysis designed to help manufacturers seize growth opportunities, navigate challenges, and plan for the future. A speaker lineup of leading economists and industry experts will deliver global macroeconomic business news and sector-specific deep dives. Register now at MTForecast.com.

Creating Conversations in the IMTS+ Creators Lounge Industry creators gathered to spotlight the best of manufacturing technology in the IMTS+ Creators Lounge at IMTS 2024. Brought to you by MSC Industrial Supply, the IMTS+ Creator’s Lounge showcased unique perspectives and fascinating conversations with manufacturing’s most influential content creators. Check out the highlights and meet the creators in the online lounge at IMTS.com/Creators.

The Digital Twin of IMTS: IMTS+ Relive the highlights of IMTS 2024 on IMTS+. Check out curated footage from the IMTS+ Main Stage featuring daily talk shows, keynote speakers, and presentations with industry giants and brilliant visionaries from BlueForge Alliance, Google Cloud, Hexagon, Manufacturing USA, Microsoft, NASA, NASCAR, Siemens, Statasys, investor groups, and economists, along with episodes from AMT’s Emerging Technology Center, the IMTS+ Creators Lounge, and more from around the show. See it all at IMTS.com/Watch.

IMTS 2024 ShowDaily: Did You Miss It? Re-read detailed articles on everything IMTS in the IMTS ShowDaily. Produced by Gardner Business Media, the IMTS ShowDaily presents industry highlights and features on the exhibitors, technology, attractions, and people straight out of Chicago. Find all five issues at IMTSshowdaily.com.

WRAP UP SEPTEMBER 13 & 14, 2024 IMTS The OFFICIAL SHOW DAILY of IMTS 2024 I M T S . C O M

Inspiring A Generation Hands-on experiences shape future innovators at the IMTS Student Summit.

PLUS

A Personal IMTS Retrospective Peter Eelman’s first job out of college in 1980 put him at IMTS as an exhibitor. He’s been running the show since 1996. This year’s event is his last. Coming to McCormick Place in April: Additive For Manufacturing at Formnext Chicago New U.S.-based event debuts next year: focuses on complete additive manufacturing value chain.

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MANUFACTURING MATTERS

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Manufacturing Matters Check in for the highlights, headlines, and hijinks that matter to manufacturing. These lean news items keep you updated on the latest developments.

TECHNOLOGY

What Technologies Are Driving the Space Race? The growth of the space industry represents the convergence of simulations, material sciences, and additive manufacturing (as well as the democratization of space technologies, the impact of NASA papers, and private equity funding, but that is a discussion for another time). High-performance computing makes simulations faster, more frequent, and with higher resolution than before. These advancements not only lead to better designs but also improve the manufacturing process, leading to greater confidence in the first part off the manufacturing line. This is crucial for space, where volumes are still low. Lighter-weight structures are made possible by composites, and additive manufacturing processes help to determine the most efficient flow paths for nozzles. From design to manufacturing, digital iterations through simulation form the foundation for strong and reliable physical parts. This is an exciting time for manufacturing space components.

INTELLIGENCE

Space Industry Valued at $445 Billion and Growing The space sector is undergoing a transformative period driven by technological advancements and significant private sector investments. The cost of manufacturing, launching, and operating satellites has plummeted, thanks to innovations like reusable rockets and the miniaturization of satellite technology. In 2022, according to Bryce Tech, the space industry set a record with 186 successful rocket launches, highlighting the rapid pace of growth and the potential for manufacturers to capitalize on this momentum. According to the Space Foundation, the global space economy was valued at $445 billion in 2023 and is poised for further expansion. Companies like SpaceX are leading the charge with ambitious plans and investments. SpaceX alone raised approximately $2 billion in 2022 to support its initiatives, including 87 rocket launches, moon exploration projects, and the expansion of the Starlink internet service. As the space sector continues to evolve, manufacturers have a unique opportunity to innovate and align themselves with the significant investments being made by players in this nascent industry.

SMARTFORCE NASA’s Artemis Program Shines at Smartforce Student Summit

NASA’s Artemis program made a second appearance at the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2024, captivating attendees with its ambitious vision. The exhibit revealed the space agency’s plans to establish a lasting presence on the moon and pave the way for missions to Mars. Thanks to the ongoing commitment of IMTS to produce the Summit, thousands of student visitors interacted with NASA representatives to better understand how advanced manufacturing technology plays a crucial role in building and maintaining the mission-critical supply chains and components that are essential for these groundbreaking endeavors. The event energized students and educators with a glimpse into the future of space exploration and the technological innovations driving humanity’s next giant leap.

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ADVOCACY

Next up: Congress Tackles Spending Congress reconvened in September, passing a stopgap spending bill on Sept. 25 to avert a government shutdown. The bill extends federal finances to Dec. 20, expiring after the presidential election and during the lame duck period of President Joe Biden’s term. This could result in Congress passing funding bills for 2025 or another short-term bill that will fund the government until after the next president is inaugurated. The next Congress and administration will address national security and competitiveness issues that impact your business, including appropriations, the expiration of the 2017 tax cuts, supply chain sustainability, and geopolitical unrest. It's crucial that the candidates running for office understand the importance of manufacturing technology in addressing these issues. These weeks before the election are an excellent time to engage with candidates running in your district, state, and national races. Ask them about their stances on manufacturing issues.

INTERNATIONAL

Wings of Change: International Advances in Aerospace Manufacturing Space is a global business, and business is booming. According to the Space Foundation, 2023 saw the global space economy reach a record-breaking $570 billion. That is double what it was a decade ago and is being driven by steady private and public sector investment. The new frontier, indeed.

Well-entrenched key players like SpaceX, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin are in the United States. Perhaps lesser known are Thales, ISRO, Rocket Lab, and CASC from Europe, India, New Zealand, and China, respectively.

With such a field of competition, where should you turn to take advantage of this sector's growth? Three countries are emerging as significant players in the global aerospace manufacturing landscape – India, Mexico, and Vietnam – due to strategic advantages such as cost-effective labor, favorable government policies, and a growing expertise in advanced manufacturing.

AMT has offices and tech centers to service these three countries to assist our members in establishing sales. Visit AMTonline.org/products/mt-tech-centers to take flight and bring your business to new heights.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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AMT Upcoming Events Learn more or register at AMTonline.org/events. Your datebook will thank you.

UP NEXT

INTELLIGENCE

MTForecast 2024 October 9-11, 2024 | Chicago, Illinois

MTForecast breaks down the latest industry news, forecasts, and trends. Industry leaders, executives, and key decision makers connect and learn better business strategies through customer industry insights, economic forecasting, and deep dives into market data.

TECHNOLOGY

SMART PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS

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Remember the manufacturing in San Antonio, Texas! At MFG 2025, visionaries, experts, and leaders from across the world of manufacturing technology will blow into the Alamo City for exclusive networking opportunities, educational sessions, and a whole lot of fun. See you there, pardner!

SPS covers the entire spectrum of smart and digital automation – from simple sensors to intelligent solutions, from what is feasible today to the vision of a fully digitalized industrial world. AMT is partnering with SPS to bring the renowned global trade event to the United States. To learn more, please visit SPS-americas.us.messefrankfurt.com/usa/en.html.

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IMTS 2026 September 14-19, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois

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The largest manufacturing trade show in the Western Hemisphere returns to Chicago! Find new equipment, software, and products to move your business forward, connect with industry experts and peers, and attend conference sessions to boost your industry knowledge. Learn more at IMTS.com.

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Building Satellite Thrusters — In Michigan While Michigan is commonly associated with cars, an innovative company in the state’s Upper Peninsula is producing thrusters based on advanced ion propulsion technology. (Yes, you read that right.)

BY GARY S. VASILASH CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Joe Panella’s career has been steeped in manufacturing. Reliability engineer for General Motors’ former Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant (now Factory Zero). Project manager for a crankshaft machining line for a Cummins engine factory. Plant manager of a Garrett turbocharger facility. Strategist for the Meritor commercial braking systems business. You might imagine Panella would be working today in some segment of the auto industry or in some other high-volume manufacturing associated with Detroit.

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Nope. He’s now the vice president of manufacturing at Orbion Space Technology in Michigan – but some 550 miles northwest of Detroit, in Houghton, which is located about midway up the peak that sticks out from the top of the Upper Peninsula. At Orbion, instead of a production rate of 60 jobs per hour, they’re running at about 100 units – per year. (“We’ve got the capacity to go to 1,000 units per year,” he says.) Oh. And while a car is the size of, well, a car, Panella says that the thrusters Orbion produces are “about the size of a coffee mug.” Here’s one important thing about Panella’s background that he imparts to his colleagues at Orbion: production quality. He’s fluent in things like the Toyota Production System (which he says was instrumental in the development of the Cummins Production System, which he helped implement), the 5S methodology, and continuous improvement. All things vital to ensuring the success of a part. And that is really important because while the NHTSA can initiate a recall for cars and trucks on the road, that’s not feasible for Orbion. “We can’t have a failure," he says. "Obviously, if you produce something that’s used on Earth and there’s something wrong, you can take it back and repair it. But if it goes into space, it’s a one-way ticket. So we have a lot of processes in place to make sure these systems work.” And They’re There Because … As Houghton isn’t particularly close to, say, Cape Canaveral, one might wonder why it is where it is. The company was co founded in 2016 by Lyon “Brad” King, Ph.D., who was born and raised in Calumet, Michigan – which is even farther north than Houghton. King received his degrees from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Research Council at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, before returning to Michigan afterwards. He likes it there. One benefit to being located in Houghton is that it’s home to Michigan Technological University and the cadre of smart people at its aerospace-related programs, which is good when your business is actual, not figurative, rocket science. (King is on the faculty there.) The company has some 70 employees. Michigan Tech is well represented on that staff. From Outside In Panella became associated with Orbion when it was in its startup phase and he was consulting for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s SmartZone, a private-public partnership for job creation in the state. Panella was assigned to assist Orbion in his position helping companies associated with Michigan Tech develop manufacturing strategies. Before leaving his assignment at Orbion, he wrote a job

description for someone who would help the company ramp up its production. Six months later, in May 2020, Panella was hired. And they’ve been ramping up the output ever since. What They Build The primary product developed and produced at Orbion is the Aurora Hall-effect thruster. That is, the Aurora is a plasma thruster. There is a magnetic field (Orbion uses permanent magnets) that contains the propellent released from the tank. This is typically xenon, though krypton or argon can be used; xenon is more efficient because it has a higher density: 15 kg can be contained in an 8.29-liter tank at 1,300 psia, compared with a 39.37-liter tank for the equivalent amount of krypton and 97.25-liter tank for argon. The fuel is ionized by electrons from the satellite’s onboard power system (there are two connections between the thruster and the spacecraft: a 28-volt unregulated power connection and an RS-422 data connection), which then accelerates the ions so there are exhaust velocities on the order of 20,000 meters per second. While that may seem extreme, Panella notes that the thrust is equivalent to the weight of a dime. “These are not like the diesel engines that I manufactured earlier in my life,” he says, which could be the understatement of the year. But what, you may wonder, do these thrusters do? Panella explains they are fitted into commercial and government satellites. Satellites are being sent up in number on a single rocket, which then drops them off in the same orbit. “It is like people getting off at a bus stop. Then they have to go to their final location.” The thrusters allow the satellites to get to that location. Then they are used to keep them there. (Gravity wants to bring them back to Earth.)

Hall-effect thruster being tested by NASA at the Glenn Research Center. Electricity plus inert gas (e.g., xenon) results in propulsion in space. (Image courtesy of NASA.)

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Thruster system in test in a vacuum chamber. Being able to operate in space – reliably – is crucial. (Image courtesy of Orbion Space Technology.)

One tank of fuel can provide thrust capacity for seven years or more. Fuel tank size has a big effect on the assembled thruster system. “A customer will give us a keep-in space,” Panella says, explaining that this is the amount of room Orbion has to fit its system within the satellite structure. While other elements are, in effect, “standardized,” the change in fuel tank size can either mean a bigger satellite or a decreased amount of time in space. And when the satellite’s time in space reaches its end, the thruster can be used for a controlled descent back into the Earth’s atmosphere, rather than one of those random reentries. There is another option Orbion offers for its Aurora thruster: El Matador, a high-thrust cold-gas nozzle that’s located along the center axis of the thruster head. If another object in space is on track to collide with an Orbion satellite equipped with El Matador, it provides a blast of propellant resulting in up to two Newtons of thrust for evasive maneuvers. Yes, it uses up fuel to achieve that. But when the choice is between a shortened mission and a catastrophically finished one … Which leads to why things like Orbion thrusters are becoming increasingly important.

At present there are some 9,990 active satellites in orbit. According to a study recently released by Euroconsult, an average of over 2,800 satellites will be launched annually between 2023 and 2032, which means it is going to get increasingly crowded up there. What’s more – much, much more – according to the Combined Space Operations Center at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, which runs the Space Surveillance Network, an estimated 8,000 metric tons of space debris is in orbit, and “even a tiny piece could be catastrophic to any of our orbiting assets.” Which means that thrusters are necessary to maneuver satellites to minimize the possibility of being knocked out by random debris. Sourcing and Testing The thruster and the propellant management assembly are produced with parts shipped from suppliers to Orbion. Given that there are some 60 parts in a given thruster head and that there are various materials that need to be machined – from stainless steels to titanium – and because of that aforementioned need for parts to perform as defined once they’re in orbit, the

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supply base is critical to Orbion. “We tried to get a Midwest supply base,” Panella says, noting that suppliers working in the medical industry – those familiar with small, precision parts production – are among those who have been contracted by Orbion. Although there are suppliers in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota, Orbion is also using manufacturers on the coasts who can provide them with the specific components they need. Shipping is not an issue. “The parts can fit in a small box and be sent via the mail, UPS, or FedEx. Our receiving room measures about 10 feet by 10 feet.” The power processing unit and the electrical harness assembly are each produced and tested by contract manufacturers. It is worth noting that components that go into a thruster system are not things that are off the shelf but designed by Orbion engineers. Because quality is so important, the suppliers do 100% inspection of the parts they produce and provide Orbion with the data on critical characteristics. When the parts arrive at Orbion, they do a random check of a few parts to verify they meet the specs. Should there be any issues, then they work to determine whether this is a measurement or a manufacturing problem in order to resolve it. One of the things that Panella emphasizes to the people at Orbion is that there is nothing wrong with finding problems. “We want to find problems early and address them.” Which goes back to the point of the seemingly low output of the plant.

Panella says that they spend about four times the amount of time testing things as they do making them. They can produce a xenon flow controller in about four hours – and then spend five days testing it. “Think of the valves. If we have a valve that sticks open when the satellite is in orbit, then the fuel is going to leak out, and the satellite is dead.” So there is vibration testing, thermal cycle testing, leak testing, and more – both at the component level and the module level. And because these are systems that are working in space, they have four vacuum chambers where they perform testing not only in a vacuum but also at thermal cycles. After all, there are serious temperature swings in space depending on whether something is in the Sun (e.g., 248 degrees Fahrenheit) or in the shade (minus 148 degrees Fahrenheit). In 1891 a powerhouse was opened in Houghton on what is known as the Portage Canal. The dynamos and other equipment that filled the building provided electricity for Houghton and Hancock, the small city on the other side of the waterway. The building was built from Jacobsville Sandstone, a reddish stone that is indigenous to the area – as is copper, which helped in the electrification of the country and continues to play a major role in the electrification of vehicles, and which gave rise to the Not Exactly Hoth From ‘Star Wars’ Which brings us back to Earth, to Houghton.

An Orbion thruster. It is compact – about the size of a coffee cup – but highly efficient. (Image courtesy of Orbion.)

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Not surprisingly, the assembly of the satellite thrusters is performed under clean-room conditions. (Image courtesy of Orbion.)

area’s nickname, “Copper Country.” That building now serves as the headquarters of Orbion. And while perhaps it is merely a coincidence, it does seem fitting that the company produces electrical thrusters. Outside of Orbion is the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, which provides vertical lift to accommodate boat traffic beneath it. The bridge, opened in 1959, was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2022. It is the world’s heaviest and widest double decked vertical-lift bridge in the world. Clearly when the counterweights, pulleys, and cables are in action, there are some non-trivial vibrations that occur that must be discernable within Orbion's manufacturing operations at their headquarters. Panella says that while that is the case, there is another building about a mile away where they do the testing, which isn’t affected by the bridge in action. However, Houghton gets an average annual snowfall of 202 inches.

“During the winter, they remove snow by putting it in dump trucks,” Panella says. It is then moved to designated transfer stations. “They drive by our building. You can feel the floor vibrate as the trucks go by.” After all, some 17 feet of snow is a lot to handle. “We’ve been able to filter out the effects when doing the testing,” Panella says. Despite these small inconveniences, Orbion seems right at home. While most people may have only vaguely heard of Houghton, it is a locale with a lot of engineering prowess – and scenic, to boot.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Gary at vasilash@gmail.com.

THE BIG PICTURE

Technology advancements in simulation, automation, additive manufacturing, and material science have unlocked new possibilities in space exploration.

Artificial Intelligence identifies and mitigates risks and communication delays in autonomous robotic planetary exploration systems. SIMULATION

GRX-810 3D printable superalloys can withstand extreme temperatures over 2,000°F, o ering unprecedented strength and durability. MATERIAL SCIENCE e NCE s M

Additive manufacturing enables smaller and lighter assemblies while increasing durability for higher payloads and more e icient thrust. ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING M

AUTOMATION

O -the-shelf manufacturing

technologies enable in-space assembly and manufacturing.

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Growth in space exploration means growth in the United States and global economy, increasing opportunities for job creation, new industries, and new discoveries.

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SEPTEMBER 14 – 19, 2026 MCCORMICK PLACE, CHICAGO

IMTS, the largest manufacturing technology trade show in the Western Hemisphere , showcases the transformative technologies that are enabling our industry to reach new levels of productivity and profitability.

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IMTS

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Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT, welcomed visitors to IMTS 2024, saying, “You’re the backbone of the economy in the United States, and IMTS is the place where the very best manufacturers connect with the very best technology.” Visitors Energized and Empowered at IMTS 2024 Solutions for higher productivity fostered positivity among 89,020 registrants and 1,737 exhibitors. BY MICHELLE EDMONSON VICE PRESIDENT, EXHIBITIONS

IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show delivered an immersive digital manufacturing experience for 89,020 registrants, and 1,737 exhibitors served up high productivity solutions, demonstrating them in the context of integrated,

Automation was everywhere at IMTS 2024, which saw the launch of the new Automation Sector, accelerated by SPS – Smart Production Solutions. Further, every major machining exhibitor in the Metal Removal Sector demonstrated integrated systems featuring large pallet changers, bar feeders, load/unload robots, chip removal systems, and more. “Labor issues are off the charts,” said Tim Caron, an area sales representative from EMEC Machine Tools in the Okuma exhibit. “Automation such as pallet pools allows you to have multiple jobs set up for longer unattended run time.” The technology in the Additive Manufacturing Sector, accelerated by Formnext and educational opportunities on the Formnext Stage made IMTS an additive manufacturing destination. “One of the major reasons we came to IMTS is that we have been looking to step into bigger SLA technologies and more capable machinery for medical applications,” said Jon Cackler, the owner of Variety Vault. He drove from Ames, Iowa, specifically to check out the new Form 4 printer from Formlabs. Summing up the six days of the show, Tom Sheridan, president of Royal Products and incoming chair of the AMT Show Committee, said, “This has been our best IMTS for quality engagements. The show was front-loaded with tremendous interest for our six new products; then, a number of people came back two or three times with different members of their team.” We are grateful to all of you, visitors, exhibitors, and partners, for making IMTS 2024 a success!

automated, and connected turnkey solutions. However, the real genius that excited visitors was the hope of driving more efficiencies at every step of the product life-cycle. “IMTS 2024 accelerated the adoption of advanced technology in ways visitors could not have imagined before the show,” said Peter R. Eelman, AMT’s chief experience officer, which owns and produces IMTS. “A sense of new possibilities generated an enthusiasm felt throughout the show.” Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT, added, “Exhibitors fine-tuned their demonstrations, packaging their solutions in the way people want to consume it. Rather than featuring a product, exhibitors showed how they solved problems with systems.” In a keynote address, contract manufacturers learned how they could partner with the U.S. Navy and its submarine industrial base. “The Navy is here [at IMTS] to support the recapitalization of American manufacturing,” said Rear Admiral Todd S. Weeks, program executive officer, strategic submarines. “As part of the supply chain that supports the defense industrial base, IMTS is a critical show to help look at new technology and figure out how to do more with less,” said Mike Griffith, president of Major Tool & Machine.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Michelle at medmonson@IMTS.com.

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Must-See Manufacturing Streaming Highlights from the IMTS+ Main Stage at IMTS 2024. BY BONNIE GURNEY VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC CONTENT & PARTNERSHIPS

Defense Contracting Is Open to All “Building submarines is no longer the purview of big defense companies. The Navy needs more. We need small and medium-sized businesses that are innovative, that are committed, and that work hard. We need you because we need these submarines. This is what preserves our way of life and ensures that we can continue to enjoy peace.” – Rear Admiral Todd S. Weeks Program Executive Officer, Strategic Submarines Naval Sea Systems Command The admiral provided contacts for the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base program for manufacturers that want to win defense business. They are: • Advanced Manufacturing: jesse.s.geisbert.civ@us.navy.mil • Supply Chain: teamsubsuppliers@us.navy.mil • Workforce: erica.h.logan@us.navy.mil Agility Is Essential “Agile companies – those that can move from product A today to product B tomorrow – are the future of manufacturing. Small lot sizes, specialization, and flexibility create new business opportunities.” – Dr. Craig Blue Chief Manufacturing Officer Oak Ridge National Laboratory Partnerships Lead to Prosperity Manufacturing USA celebrated its 10th anniversary at IMTS 2024: “For 10 years, the Manufacturing USA Institutes have worked to enhance manufacturing competitiveness by addressing industry challenges, commercializing innovations, and advancing national strategies to foster growth. With our public and private partners, the institutes remain committed to driving the manufacturing industry forward for the next 10 years and beyond." – Mike Molnar Founding Director Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office For more manufacturing technology content, including highlights from the IMTS+ Main Stage and IMTS+ AfterWords Stage presentations, visit IMTS.com/MainStage. And tune in to IMTS+ on IMTS.com, the digital twin of IMTS, for more highlights from IMTS 2024 and to discover creative manufacturing video series, articles, and events.

IMTS 2024 captured imaginations, inspired collaboration, and showed that the future really can come true. As visitors glided up the escalators into the Grand Concourse of McCormick Place, they caught their first glimpse of the jumbotron and the prominent IMTS+ Main Stage below it. Crowds

gathered at the stage and at IMTS+ viewing spaces throughout the convention center to hear transformative stories and learn about technical innovations. Throughout the six days of IMTS 2024, the IMTS+ Main Stage hosted more than 85 speakers and produced more than 50 live shows. Speakers ranged from industry icons to military officials and from creators to influential entrepreneurs. Expert panels and individual presenters addressed impactful topics, including AI, automation, data utilization, additive manufacturing, investments, software tools and improvement, productivity, workforce development, and public-private partnerships. The IMTS+ Main Stage delivered a cross section of the manufacturing technology industry and helped set the stage for visitors from all around the world. Here, in their own words, are a few highlights from the IMTS+ Main Stage speakers who hailed from every part of the evolving and flourishing manufacturing technology sector. Data Drives Outcomes AI solutions are accelerating manufacturing outcomes across the sector from factory floors to boardrooms. – Kathleen Mitford Corporate Vice President Microsoft With Google Cloud, manufacturers can break down data silos and integrate across the enterprise systems to gain a 360-degree view of their operations and drive innovation with multimodal generative AI – all on secure and scalable cloud infrastructure. – Praveen Rao Global Head of Manufacturing Solutions Google Cloud I urge you to really look into data platforms as a way to reduce the confusion associated with silos. I can't stress this enough: True digitization does not include paper. – Paul Rogers President and CEO of the Americas and Asia Pacific Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Bonnie at bgurney@IMTS.com.

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Sparks Fly: A Journey From Foundry to Space Flight

Dr. Sharon Cobb’s first experience with manufacturing at the foundry where her father worked inspired her to pursue a career in science. Now the associate program manager at NASA’s Space Launch System, Dr. Cobb has 38 years of experience with NASA. Her work has included pioneering research on materials and management roles at every stage of the Artemis I mission.

BY KATHY KEYES WEBSTER | MANAGING EDITOR, CONTENT CATHERINE "CAT" ROSS | DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Sparks flew. Dr. Sharon Cobb’s first visit to the foundry where her father worked was captivating and inspired her to pursue studies and a career in science. Now the associate program manager of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Cobb has 38 years of experience with NASA and has done pioneering research in the world of material science, including projects looking at how materials react and interact in zero gravity.

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“I always wanted to understand how things worked,” Cobb recalled. “One day, my dad took me to family day at the steel mill. I was in awe. There were these massive crucibles of metal being poured into molds. I could smell the metal and feel the heat. It was such an intense experience, and I was hooked.” Fueling a Vision A few years later, a guidance counselor recommended that the young Cobb, who excelled in both math and science, attend engineering open houses at nearby colleges. When she walked into the materials department at the University of Alabama – Birmingham, she knew she found her calling. “They showed us so many different things about how materials react and interact. It just really connected with me. What they could do with metals and chemicals felt like magic,” Cobb noted. After earning her Ph.D. in material science and engineering, Cobb began her NASA career in 1986 as a senior research scientist. Her first project was studying the effects of reduced gravity on a variety of complex semiconductor materials. Joining NASA was a dream come true for the young engineer, and Cobb quickly immersed herself in her research. Along the way, she was encouraged by supportive managers and bolstered by the women who went before her. “I was doing physics research, and there were not a lot of women in the field at the time, but I wasn’t alone,” Cobb recalled. “It was such a fabulous time to be at NASA. We were going through a period of rich scientific discovery. There were also female role models for the first time. There were already some groundbreaking women working at NASA, and they were doing amazing things.” Collaboration and Combustion Cobb joined the SLS program in 2012 and worked her way up to associate program manager. She is now the third-ranking manager within the office. NASA’s SLS is a super heavy-lift rocket that provides the foundation for human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. With its unprecedented capabilities, SLS is the only rocket that can send NASA’s Orion spacecraft, four astronauts, and large cargo directly to the moon on a single mission. The SLS rocket is designed to be evolvable, which makes it possible to increase its capability to fly more types of missions, including human missions to the Moon and Mars. When Artemis I launched for the first time in November 2022, Cobb and the thousands of people who contributed to the mission celebrated. “Seeing that rocket light up the sky was truly indescribable. There was a realization that we were making history and opening doors to the universe for future generations,” she said. “I had been involved in the creation of the rocket from preliminary designs through development, assembly, and testing for 10 years prior to launch day. It was such an honor to be a part of something that really was the culmination of an entire nation working together.”

The Artemis missions will lay the foundation for space exploration and discovery for generations to come, Cobb explained. “That’s a career highlight that will be hard to top,” she concluded. But that doesn’t stop her and her team from trying. “Our ultimate goal is to have humans live and work on the moon. That’s a huge endeavor. I want to see humans walking on the moon tomorrow. I want to inspire the next generation of Americans in the same way that earlier space missions inspired me,” she said.

The Artemis I mission, comprised of the integrated test flight of the SLS rocket and the uncrewed Orion spacecraft, successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 16, 2022.

A Slow Burn While her passion remains unchecked, Cobb has learned to temper it with patience over the years. Enormous endeavors like space missions take an immense amount of time, money, and effort and have so many diverse and complex parts and systems. For instance, by her count, there were components built for the Artemis mission in all 50 states. This was truly a national and international endeavor, with contributions also made by many European nations. Artemis II and III are slated to be crewed missions, first in orbit and then landing on the moon. “The crewed missions will really ignite people’s imaginations and show them that this is a long-term generational program that will drive our children’s future and their children’s future,” said Cobb. Part of that drive to inspire future generations comes from Cobb’s own memories of feeling inspired by her supervisors and co-workers throughout her tenure at NASA.

Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch of NASA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen view the core stage for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket at the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.