Dr. Jeffrey Ahrstrom, CEO, Ingersoll Machine Tools
Advanced manufacturing for deep space exploration has been taking place at Ingersoll Machine Tools' manufacturing, assembly and testing center in Rockford, IL.
Ingersoll Machine Tools recently hosted an event with Lockheed Martin to celebrate the successful Artemis-1 launch and continuation of America's return to the moon and beyond. Lockheed Martin recognized several Ingersoll employees directly involved in the production of structural components for the Orion capsule that will transport astronauts into deep space. Ingersoll has been a manufacturing supplier partner for several years.
At the event, Ingersoll's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Ahrstrom, was joined by representatives from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop, NASA, guests and representatives from across the full spectrum of American manufacturing for presentation of the award and a guided tour of the facilities.
The company is active within the space, aerospace, defense and other industrial segments and builds and sells very large, complex 3D additive, carbon fiber and subtractive machine tools. Ingersoll is nearing completion of a program that provides the United States Army the world's largest hybrid 3D metal printing and milling solution. This massive machine provides the volumetric printing and milling capability to manufacture a tank hull in situ. The group also sells large vertical and horizontal machines from the Camozzi Groups INNSE BERARDI based in Brescia, Italy.
During the event attendees saw advanced manufacturing technologies, such as the MasterPrint Robotic Thermoplastic Hybrid Additive printing cell; very large milling machines; and the Mongoose and Hawk Hybrid Multitasking Composite system configured for the space industry-all designed, built and supported in Rockford.
High tech machines on display included:
- Massive ingot scalping machines equipped with 110" cutters designed to produce massive aluminum ingots.
- A multitasking machine based on a 5-axis MasterMill fitted with multiple spindles and integrated with a MasterPrint additive machine.
- A High Rail MasterMill transfer pallet system with integrated cooling and quality monitoring for heavy land vehicles.
- MES 4, the largest and most productive 5-axis MasterMill ever built, according to Ingersoll.
- A technology development cell showcasing many Ingersoll core competencies, such as milling, automated fiber placement, large-scale 3D polymer printing and quality inspection.
- The new PowerMax version of the H18 horizontal profiler, with new levels of ability to machine complex parts quickly.
Ingersoll cooperates closely with the sister company Camozzi Digital to develop state-of-the-art IIoT, Industry 4.0, big data and cloud computing solutions to improve the performance and lower operating costs of its machine tools. Two platforms are available: IBNET, which allows the user to collect and store all production data, machine operating conditions, status and operating parameters; and IBRM, which draws data from processors and sensors installed in critical parts of the machine to monitor key parameters, working conditions and the status of the automation system to identify machine errors in real time and to promptly inform the user.
For more information contact:
Ingersoll Machine Tools Inc.
707 Fulton Ave.
Rockford, IL 61103
815-987-6000
info@ingersoll.com
www.ingersoll.com