Boeing [BA] said it is providing financial and technical support for the first project delivered through the Danish Advanced Manufacturing and Research Center (DAMRC).
Project 1, which began May 17, will help technical leaders from participating DAMRC member companies learn how to optimize their machining operations to improve production efficiency, reduce costs and increase quality.
“Danish industry, government and academia formed the DAMRC as a portal into high-end technologies and advanced production methods that will enhance the skills of our work force, make our industry more competitive in the global marketplace and ultimately strengthen Denmark’s economy,” said Ole Lauridsen, DAMRC chairman and chief technology officer of Terma A/S, a member company. “With this inaugural project, DAMRC member companies are taking a giant leap together to advance their own unique capabilities and prepare for opportunities to grow into new fields and markets–from the commercial and military aerospace industries to medical and civil applications and beyond.”
The six-month, multi-phase project began with a seminar hosted at the facilities of Unimerco A/S, a DAMRC member company. Other participating companies include Terma A/S, Danish Aerotech A/S, Multicut A/S and Vestas Nacelles A/S.
Follow-on phases include: Field studies at the participating companies’ facilities; Participating-company case studies, independent analysis and application of principles and methods; Group-learning seminars to share case study results and lessons learned; Independent assignments; and the delivery of the final report on Project 1, including outcomes for future project development.
Project 1 is being guided by technical experts from Boeing as well as the U.K. University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
“This project’s launch highlights the significant progress made in the eight months since we gathered here in Herning to introduce the vision for a DAMRC, and shows just what can be achieved through continued partnership among DAMRC members, the AMRC With Boeing and The Boeing Company,” said Jan Narlinge, president of Boeing Northern Europe. “Boeing’s early involvement in the DAMRC was a natural extension of our commitment to partner with Danish industry as part of our F/A-18E/F Super Hornet campaign. While we await further customer direction on the New Combat Aircraft competitive selection process, we continue to engage with Danish stakeholders and to develop relationships with Danish industry through projects such as this one.”
The DAMRC is a consortium of Danish firms, government institutions and academia formed with cooperation from Boeing, and the AMRC With Boeing. DAMRC founding partners include Danish industry leaders Danish Aerotech A/S, Multicut A/S, Terma A/S, Unimerco A/S and Vestas Nacelles A/S; Aarhus University; the Center for Sikkerhedsindustrien (CenSec), a Danish defense and security industry association; Erhvervsraadet Herning & Ikast-Brande, Herning’s business development center; Herning Municipality; and Region Midtjylland.