Jun 9 2014
Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. company, has been awarded the 2014 Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership Award (ML Award) in the Engineering and Production Technology Leadership category for its Next Generation Robotics Automation Manufacturing team. Pratt & Whitney received the honor last night at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit in Palm Beach, Florida.
Lynn Gambill, center, chief engineer, Manufacturing Engineering & Global Services accepts an award on behalf of Pratt & Whitney for Engineering and Production Technology Leadership at the 2014 Frost & Sullivan Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala.
The Next Generation Robotics Automation team is a multi-discipline and cross functional group with employees at sites in East Hartford, Connecticut; Middletown, Connecticut; North Berwick, Maine; and West Palm Beach, Florida. The team consists of manufacturing engineers, operations professionals and assemblers.
With the goals of continually improving productivity and quality, the specialized team introduced robotic systems into Pratt & Whitney's production processes. The processes enable automated coating for military and commercial engine parts, automated removal of coating overspray and occlusions on engine parts, and precision shaping of blade and vane edges on multiple engine lines.
"We are always looking for smart, inventive ways to produce high-quality products and deliver services at a fraction of the current costs to our customers," said Lynn Gambill, chief engineer, Manufacturing Engineering & Global Services, at Pratt & Whitney who accepted the award on the company's behalf. "Our robotics team is a worthy winner of a 2014 ML Award and is responsible for significant improvement in best-in-class engine manufacturing."
Robotic automation has made significant improvements to Pratt & Whitney's business, employees and customers by increasing production speed on military engine parts by up to 80 percent and improving processing times for coating overspray and vane edges.
The technology has also brought pinpoint accuracy and automated measurements to the company's manufacturing processes. Pratt & Whitney is continuing to evaluate and develop its Next Generation Robotic Automation solutions across the company and is establishing this work at next generation robotic centers across business units and sites worldwide.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, auxiliary power units, and small turbojet propulsion products. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit www.utc.com or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.
About the Manufacturing Leadership Awards
The Manufacturing Leadership Awards (ML Awards) honor companies and individuals that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Award nominees describe their breakthrough projects using the nomination form. Nominations for breakthrough projects are entered into specific categories and evaluated by a panel of expert judges. Seven of the ML Awards categories are for outstanding projects undertaken and completed by a manufacturing company. Four of the categories recognize the achievements of individual manufacturing executives.
About the Manufacturing Leadership Council
The Manufacturing Leadership Council, Frost & Sullivan, is the world's first member-driven, global business leadership network dedicated to senior executives in the manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Leadership Council's mission is to help senior executives define and shape a better future for themselves, their organizations, and the industry at large. The Council produces an extensive portfolio of leadership networking, information and professional development products, programs, and services - including the Manufacturing Executive Website, an online global business network with 5,300 members around the world; the Manufacturing Leadership Council, an invitation-only executive organization of over 100 members; the annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit – Bold Ideas for a Better Future; the Manufacturing Leadership Awards, celebrating industry achievement; and the thought-leading Manufacturing Leadership Journal. More information on www.MLCouncil.com.