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Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center Offers Technical Advising to Small Businesses

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aero gear group standing in front of company logo

Since 1982, Aero Gear, Inc. in Windsor has worked to engineer and manufacture customized gears and gearbox assemblies for the global aerospace industry. These drive gear systems help control the power that moves an airplane forward for Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, Boeing, and many other aerospace businesses.

Although the company has since grown from two to 170 employees and houses dozens of machining instruments, some processes cannot be carried out in the facility. So, they sought technical advice from UConn’s Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center (CMSC).

“CMSC has the tools—and willing researchers—to approach complex materials physics problems that we simply have no way to investigate,” says Pat Brueckner, director of engineering at Aero Gear. “Our collaboration with CMSC helps us understand our heat treat and machining processes from a more academic perspective and close a scientific gap that exists between academia and real-world applications.”

Read More @ UConn Today

The Innovation Engine of Aerospace Manufacturing in Connecticut: CMSC’s Technological Empowerment and Future Prospects

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Your career-minded editor here, ready to break down some cutting-edge advancements happening right here in Connecticut. Ever wonder how aerospace companies ensure the parts they’re making are not just good, but flawlessly perfect? That’s where the Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center (CMSC) at UConn Tech Park comes into play.

From a professional standpoint, the CMSC is a game-changer for small- to medium-sized Connecticut companies. They provide something these businesses often lack: in-house original equipment manufacturing (OEM) capabilities. Think of it as having a team of expert engineers and mathematicians on call, ready to tackle complex manufacturing challenges. The CMSC’s mission is to offer technical assistance and manufacturing simulation services, bridging the gap between innovative ideas and flawless execution.

Now, you might be wondering, how can they afford to give away these services? The answer lies in a combination of federal grants and matching funds from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. This financial backing allows the CMSC to offer its expertise free of charge to eligible Connecticut companies, a boon for businesses looking to innovate without breaking the bank.

One prime example of the CMSC’s impact is its collaboration with Aero Gear, a Windsor-based aerospace company specializing in gears and gearboxes. Aero Gear’s director of engineering, Pat Brueckner, is a UConn engineering program graduate, class of 2013. His connection with Jeongho Kim, the head of the CMSC, sparked a partnership that has proven invaluable to Aero Gear. Office folks will relate to this kind of networking, right?

Read More @ Forward Pathway

Engineering Takes Flight at Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center

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An Aero Gear employee works on gearbox assembly

There are certain settings where manufacturing quality really, really matters. One of them is at a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet.

With such a low tolerance for error, airplane manufacturers must source parts from trusted, expert suppliers. Many of these companies are headquartered in Connecticut, and one of them boasts a double UConn connection.

Aero Gear, based in Windsor, specializes in the design and manufacture of gears and gearboxes for the aerospace industry. Pat Brueckner has worked at Aero Gear ever since graduating from UConn’s engineering program in 2013, and he’s now the company’s director of engineering.

In 2017, Brueckner got in touch with Jeongho Kim, who was leading the newly established Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center (CMSC) in the Innovation Partnership Building at UConn Tech Park — “and the rest,” Brueckner says, “is history.”

The CMSC is a free resource providing technical assistance and manufacturing simulation services to small- to medium-sized companies across Connecticut. Aero Gear was one of the first industry partnerships that the Center forged.

Read More @ UConn Today

Getting a Foot Up on Production Simulation and Streamlining

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A creative collaboration between UConn’s Connecticut Manufacturing Simulation Center (CMSC) and ZANEEZ® Health in Glastonbury, Conn., is focusing on virtual prototyping of an innovative foot and ankle platform made from advanced thermoplastic polymers. This process reduces the time and cost associated with multiple rounds of physical testing, optimizing structural integrity and product performance before physical production begins.

“AnkleSTONE®, developed by ZANEEZ® Health, represents a significant advancement in orthopedic rehabilitation devices,” says Jeongho Kim, principal investigator and CMSC director, and also a professor for the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Manufacturing Engineering. “This partnership with CMSC allows our team to provide advanced technical expertise and simulation capabilities to enhance product development.

“At CMSC,” Kim explains, “we have the tools and computational resources to assist companies like ZANEEZ® in overcoming limitations in physical prototyping. Our partnership enables them to analyze critical load capacities and structural performance, for example, helping refine the AnkleSTONE® design for maximum effectiveness and resilience.”

Read More @ UConn Today

Spring, Summer and Fall 2023 Updates

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pepco-logo

CMSC have just launched a dynamic impact simulation project with PEPCO (Plainville Electrical Products Company) for their naval applications.

cmsc group photo at carey manufacturing

CMSC discussed laser cutting process and the benefit of using manufacturing simulation tools with engineers at Carey Manufacturing. We hope to optimize for laser cutting process.

PCX Aerosystems

CMSC have recently launched a heat treat analysis project with PCX Aerosystems.

We are excited to work for them to improve and optimize a series of heat treat processes.

acmt logo

CMSC have recently launched a welding simulation project with ACMT, Inc.

We are excited to work for them on the critical application.

EDA Announces UConn as One of Fourteen to Host Assistance Programs

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EDA announced on Sep. 24, 2021 that CMSC at UConn is one of fourteen UCs in EDA’s Philadelphia Regions that will host EDA University Center Economic Development Technical Assistance Programs as grantees of the 2021 EDA University Center Competition. We are delighted to fulfill the missions of EDA, and to work with Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to promote economic and workforce development of the State of Connecticut.

CMSC Launches Manufacturing Simulation Projects

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CMSC have launched various manufacturing simulation projects with CT manufacturing companies. Our CMSC team is excited about recent partnership with several small-and medium-sized companies in Connecticut. Those include Aero Gear Inc., Associated Springs (a business of Barnes Group Inc.), Sperry Rail Service, Dur-A-Flex, GE Gas Power Systems, Stanadyne LLC. By collaborating with an engineering team in each company, we envision to tackle real manufacturing industry problems and provide technical solutions. Our modeling and simulation capability and service to Connecticut manufacturers will promote innovation and economic growth.

DA University Center Conference

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On March 26-28, 2017, the EDA University Center Conference was held in Washington DC, organized by Education Association of University Centers. The EAUC Washington Meeting is the annual event focused exclusively on federal economic development policy and programs. Below is a photo with Donald Alvord (Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of EDA, 4th from right), Chivas Grannum (a Philadelphia Regional Office representative, 3rd from left) and Jeongho Kim and other directors in the Philadelphia region.