The Computer Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory is a constituent laboratory of the Institute for Systems Research at the University of Maryland.
This research was sponsored by the
Center for
Energetic Concepts Development and the Naval Surface Warfare Center,
Indian Head Division.
The University of Maryland is participating in projects to implement lean manufacturing principles at the Indian Head Division (IHD) of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). This page provides overviews of these projects and links to pages with more information.
CAD/PAD Lean Manufacturing Study. Beginning in the fall of 2002, the University of Maryland team conducted an in-depth study of the manufacturing process for a particular device. Darrin Krivitsky and Katie Macey from the CAD/PAD Manufacturing Division participated in project. After analyzing this process, the project team identified opportunities for improving CAD/PAD manufacturing operations in two buildings. The team estimated cost savings, and Indian Head collaborators validated these results The project team gave a project briefing on February 4, 2003. For more details, see the web page for the CAD/PAD Lean Manufacturing Study.
CAD/PAD Reengineering Project. Indian Head personnel and the University of Maryland team have conducted a project for the CAD/PAD manufacturing operations. Colin Mackie-Smith and Steve Possehl are leading these efforts. This effort has created manufacturing cells for cartridge assembly and for CAD/PAD final assembly. The following picture (from September, 2004) is a photograph of the final assembly manufacturing cell (photo courtesy of Steve Possehl).
Lean Motor Loading. In 2003 Indian Head personnel and the University of Maryland team conducted a lean manufacturing project for rocket motor manufacturing operations (load, assemble, and pack). The project began on July 30, 2003, with a lean manufacturing training session for sixteen Indian Head personnel. Then the University of Maryland team designed a lean manufacturing facility for these operations.
J147 RSD Retrofit Process. In 2004 Indian Head personnel and the University of Maryland team conducted a lean manufacturing project to streamline the retrofit process by consolidating operations into one building.
Lean Financial Statements. In January, 2005, the University of Maryland team led a three-day workshop to improve the processes for generating monthly financial statements. Participating in the workshop were fifteen personnel from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (Carderock, Dahlgren, and Indian Head Divisions) and DFAS Charleston. The participants used value stream mapping to map the current process and to design a new process, which was put in place three weeks later. The new process standardizes the procedure and requires less effort than the old process. The participants also identified potential improvements to DoD financial systems that would simplify the process further.
MK 125 Rapid Improvement Event. In January, 2005, Indian Head personnel and the University of Maryland team conducted a rapid improvement event (led by John Ross at Indian Head) to improve the inert prep and final assembly process for the MK 125 warhead. The new processes eliminate non-value added steps, especially material handling, and implement one-piece flow. The estimated savings are nearly $140,000 on the production of 566 units.
Last updated by Jeffrey W. Herrmann, March 4, 2005.
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