Performance Update October - December 2024

HAMR (Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research)

Crossland Construction Company, Inc.’s Superintendent ​Dalton Thorpe provides monthly email project updates.

​November 2024 ​

• Area B structural steel completed and area​ A structural steel near completion. ​
• Installation of second floor decking/nelson ​Studs on area B and decking/nelson studs​ on Area B mezzanine began. ​
• Second floor slabs poured up to the Area A​ stair tower and area A mezzanine and ​stairs are also poured.​
• Exterior framing on Area C began ​

December 2024.​

• Steel erection for entire building ​structure complete.​
• Bridging/bracing/roof openings near ​completion for Areas C & D.
• All second-floor decking/nelson stud ​install near completion. ​
• Roof decking began.

 

Additive Manufacturing Adoption​

• Engagement with industry and regulatory authorities including the Department of Defense, GE Additive, and Boeing continues in support of a part production qualification whitepaper to assist industry with the development of qualified factories. This white paper was completed and company outreach in all areas is still a focus through out Additive Manufacturing.   ​
• Alloy 718 was selected for further investigation and equivalency studies. Test coupons have been generated for testing and the testing will continue into the mid 2025.​
• Expert AM Certificate and Additive classes for Policy Maker were held this quarter. After each class we survey the attendees and improve all training classes based off the responses. Introductory AM Certificate Program, Intermediate AM Certificate Program, Expert AM Certificate Program. AFP Manufacturing, AFP Programming, AFP Operations and Maintenance. ​
• Supplier audits continue a rate of at least 2 a month. These audits are shaping the future readiness of Additive Manufacturing.

Smart Manufacturing/Future Factory

• AMP Lab’s Metrology Training Center classroom completed.​
• AMP facility RigiMill equipment assembly update. Oct/Dec unloaded four shipping containers to begin assembly. #1&#2- rough set, grouted, aligned, installation of X-axis hard stops and align X-axis scale housing. #3- installation of chip conveyors & return pump tank, coolant system, and robot track #4 Robot- set frigadon, hydraulic units, and electrical cabinets.​
• AMP held two training classes in Dec 2024 - Renishaw Productivity+ 2-day training with seven attendees and Hexagon Etalon Laser Tracer & Laser Bar training with four attendees. ​
• WSU Tech hosted Manufacturing Day on October 4th which included Smart Factory/Robotics demonstration for 185 high school students. WSU Tech presented a panel on Cybersecurity Risks & Assessments for Manufacturers during a Wichita Manufacturing Association event on Nov 20th. ​
• WSU Tech’s Senior Leadership & Smart Factory teams met with SMC’s development team and toured their training center in Spain for product review feedback and to learn about best practices in advanced manufacturing, smart automation, and cybersecurity teacher training. ​
• WSU Tech finalized a contract with an area operations and engineering consulting firm to integrate data, analytics, and visualization in the Smart Factory and the Machining lab enabling them to offer cybersecurity framework and CMMC classes in 1st Quarter 2025.

Governance and Evaluation

• The Chamber hosted a Lunch & Learn on Oct 30th to observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “Unlocking Potential: Disability & Workforce Inclusion” was a local panel of employers & disability advocates who provided insights to enhance Chamber members’ understanding and support of inclusive hiring practices, with an emphasis on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.​
• South Kansas Coalition Members continue to engage in BBR Communities of Practice (CoP) virtual meetings: Manufacturing CoP, webinars highlighting outreach & marketing, leadership, and workforce development.​
• Create Campaign Inc. hosted an installment in their Capital Conversations: Bridging the Gap series "Bringing the community together to create pathways for inclusive investment" on Dec 3rd. ​
• WSU’s Public Policy & Management Center continues to work with WSU’s CEDBR team on the creation of an interactive dashboard to be published on the coalition’s website https://www.wichita.edu/research/WSUInitiatives/Driving-Adoption/smart-manufacturing-home.php in the next quarter.