sTEm–at-Work (Puzzle #17): Pressure Relief Valve Performance Test

A “We-Make-it-All” quality control technician is checking the operation of two identical pressure relief valves, PRV-078 and PRV-321. Each valve is attached to identical fixed volume closed container batch reactors. The valve is supposed to open if the pressure in the container goes above a set value, and close when the pressure drops below that set value. When identical, equal amounts of the same valve test liquid reactants A and B are mixed in each tank, a volatile liquid, molecule C, is created. The reaction is extremely exothermic (gives off a lot of heat). The two valves should behave exactly the same way but they don’t. The technician sends the malfunctioning valve back to manufacturing to be reassembled.

PRV-321 is not working properly. (yes or no) Please submit your answers http://www.fl-ate.org/.

Soaring High on the Wings of Success

When it comes to defining aviation excellence, Pratt & Whitney (P&W) is considered “best in class” bar none. P&W, was founded in Hartford, Conn., in 1925 by Frederick Rentschler, and is a world class leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, and space propulsion systems. The company’s 36,000 employees supports more than 11,000 customers in 195 countries, and is the key engine provider for the United States space program, powering over 1,600 launches since the inception of the space program. P&W’s large commercial engines power more than 30 percent of the world’s passenger aircraft fleet. Its broad portfolio of businesses includes industrial gas turbines that light cities and power ships, as well as front line fighters like the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-22 Raptor.

Given the size and scope of its operations, the company is a heavy hitter in developing “game changing” technologies such as the PurePower® PW100G engine and the PureCycle® power system. Christy Leite, operations manager for Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) in West Palm Beach, FL says “PWR’s requirements and customer expectations are to deliver 100% mission success.”PWR's parent company, United Technologies Corp., conducts businesses in more than 180 countries with more than 50,000 suppliers. P&W-Canada has produced more than 60,000 engines that power corporate jets, regional aircraft and helicopters around the globe. Its Global Material Solutions was the first OEM to re-engineer, certify and manufacture both gas-path and life-limited parts for the CFM56-3 engine.

So what is the key behind PWR’s formidable scope of operations? Talented people, great products, a 50 year dependable tradition combined with a commitment to continuous improvement and customer service make PWR a great place to work. Leite says the company prides itself in employing “highly educated, high skilled” employees who drive innovation, product integrity and efficiency through a “culture of continuous improvement and advancing operations.” PWR also operates under the Achieving Competitive Excellence Operating System that combines lean and quality principles supported by use of improvement tools, employee competency, and a culture of continuous improvement. The company takes several measures to ensure superiority of its products as its reputation is tested every time one of its products powers a customer’s launch vehicle into space. Assembly is performed in a class 100,000 cleanroom and engine tests are performed in highly customized test stands. It also holds a best-in-class environmental, health and safety record, and is constantly searching for ways to eliminate hazards to ensure the safety of its employees.

PWR’s reputation has not flown under the radar. In 2009, PWR-West Palm Beach was named "Manufacturer of the Year" by the South Florida Manufacturers Association. It was also a finalist in the Manufacturers Association of Florida competition in 2010. The PWR X-51 First Flight Team was one of four teams that received the P&W 2010 Leadership Award, and the PWR RL10 Derivative Enhanced Software Team was an award recipient in the area of Customer Focus. In March 2011, the X-51A WaveRider Hypersonic Vehicle Team was honored with an Aviation Week Laureate Award in Washington, D.C. PWR was also among seven nominees competing for the prestigious the National Aeronautic Association’s (NAA) Robert J. Collier Trophy.

Besides being a world class leader, PWR is also one of FLATE’s key partners in developing strategic relations with manufacturers in South Florida. In January 2011, PWR in West Palm Beach hosted the FLATE National Visiting Committee (NVC) meeting that brought educators/manufacturers from across the nation to discuss strategies for expanding FLATE’s role in promoting manufacturing/technical education in Florida. Leite commends FLATE’s efforts in reaching out to students, educating and encouraging them to pursue high-tech careers and education. She says education is key to being able to work in an exciting industry such as aerospace, and “focusing on STEM and continuing college education will give students a competitive edge in securing next generation, high-tech jobs.”

For more information on PWR contact Christy Leite at 561.796 9125, or Christy.Leite@pwr.utc.com. For information on FLATE, or to develop partnerships with the NSF Center for Excellence in Manufacturing contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at 813.259.6578, or visit www.fl-ate.org/www.madeinflorida.org.

“TRI-IT” You Might Just Like IT!

At first glance careers/educational pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and information technology (IT) may not appear as a “go to” destination for women. According to a study conducted by the National Science Foundation in 2010, the number of people engaged in Science and Engineering-related professions has grown from 182,000 in 1950, to 5.5 million in 2007. Despite imminent projections for sustained growth in the S&E workforce, women still remain underrepresented. In that “fewer than 33% of students in computer courses are female, and women comprise only 20% of IT professionals and 13% of engineers.”(Source: National Science Foundation). Given this gender disparity, there has been a nationwide push to encourage women/girls to engage girls in information technology and STEM.

The Tri-Regional Information Technology (Tri-IT) grant program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is one such project targeted to increase the number of girls and women in IT and STEM. Tri-IT represents a cohesive partnership between three Florida colleges: Florida State College in Jacksonville (FSCJ), Seminole State College, and Florida A&M University, works with twelve high schools in Duval, Seminole and Leon counties in Florida, and is supported by a $1.5 million, 3-year Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) strategies grant. Through partnerships with local schools, the colleges provide after-school and summer programs in animation, digital media, web design, green living, robotics, CSI forensics, electronics, design and manufacturing, career development, health and wellness, podcasting, mobile devices and GIS/GPS, to 9th and 11th grade high school girls.

Dr. Linda Austin, program manager for Tri-IT at FSCJ states the goals of the program are to increase girls interest, skills and confidence in IT and STEM, so they pursue high school courses, college programs and careers in IT and STEM disciplines. Through engagement in interactive technology experiences, the program cultivates interest, skills and confidence in information technology and STEM-based college programs and careers. Furthermore, the “Girls Only” concept affords a supportive/collaborative learning environment. It fosters active engagement with teachers, project coordinators, fellow students, and encourages students to explore leadership opportunities, as well as a hands-on experience in IT, mathematics, and science. During the summer, all three regional sites have videoconferences to showcase student projects compiled during a week-long summer academy. Participants submit articles for the quarterly Tri-IT newsletter, projects for the website, and attend STEM day and TECH fest activities held at respective partner colleges.

Curriculum design for the project incorporates the four levels of James E. Banks’ Model of Multicultural Integration that bares close focus on diverse ethnic and cultural group perspectives. Curriculum also incorporates modules from other NSF-funded projects such as Enhancing Science and Technology Education and Exploration Mentoring, the TechBridge projects. In terms of its connection with FLATE, both share a common focus on STEM-based careers and educational pathways. Tri-IT has also adapted material from FL-ATE’s “Design a Luxury Coach” activity. Through this exercise, students learned about the six steps of the manufacturing process and applied them to design a model of a luxury coach. They were also able to visualize manufacturing through the videos and field trips of manufacturers in their local regions, and gained a better understanding of design and manufacturing processes, lean manufacturing, and how to work effectively in a team environment.

Indeed, the program has been highly successful. As of December 2010, two hundred and ninety eight students have been recruited into the program of which 236 are currently active. In 2010, the Tri-IT grant program received the Florida Association of Community Colleges (FACC) Equity Commission Exemplary Practice Award for outreach and access programs. Its lesson plans have also served as a valuable teaching tool in planning high school technology, and after-school and summer programs.

For more information on Tri-IT or the ITEST grants contact Dr. Linda Austin at laustin@fscj.edu /904.256.6981, or visit http://www.t3girls.com/. For information on FLATE’s virtual tours and industry based educational challenges visit www.madeinflorida.org/industry-based-educational-challenges, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.

2011 FLATE Award Nominee Announcement

YOU can do it!  Make your colleagues a winner - nominate someone for a FLATE award!

Submit your nominations at: http://www.fl-ate.org/projects/awards/index.html

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