Greg Porter and Chris Tranchina with Sev1Tech

Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industry professionals and their innovations. At the OMG q1 meeting, Greg Porter and Chris Tranchina from Sev1Tech discuss their work on a digital twin of the Michoud Assembly Facility, funded by a NASA grant through LSU. The digital twin aims to simulate the manufacturing process of rockets for the Artemis program, using 3D laser scanning to capture the facility's current state. The project, still in progress, has scanned half the facility and is addressing issues like equipment tracking and optimizing crane operations. The ultimate goal is to simulate rocket builds, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.

Action Items

• [ ] Reach out to Greg Porter (greg.porter@sev1tech.com) to learn more about the project.
• [ ] Reach out to Chris Tranchina (christopher.tranchina@sev1tech.com) to learn more about the project.
• [ ] Connect with Greg and Chris on LinkedIn to stay updated on their work.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
• Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the passion and dedication of industry professionals.
• The podcast is broadcasting from the OMG q1 meeting, a gathering of problem solvers passionate about education, collaboration, and innovation.
• Scott introduces Greg Porter and Chris Tranchina, who are part of the digital twin Consortium and have presented earlier at the meeting.

Background of Greg Porter and Chris Tranchina

• Greg Porter introduces himself as a senior systems architect with Sev1Tech.
• Chris Tranchina describes himself as a 3D animator and modeler, brought in for real-time expertise in rendering the digital twin.
• Scott MacKenzie asks about the digital thread and how it ensures data trust by leaving data in its authoritative system.
• Greg explains the digital thread's role in connecting source systems through APIs and exposing metadata to understand data relationships.

Collaboration with LSU and NASA

• Greg discusses the partnership with LSU to build a digital twin of the Michoud Assembly Facility, funded by a NASA grant.
• The facility is used for assembling rockets for the Artemis program, including the Space Launch System, the Exploration Upper Stage, and the Orion spacecraft.
• The objective is to simulate the build of the rockets by understanding the current state of the facility through 3D laser scanning.
• The project is still a work in progress, with roughly half of the facility scanned so far.

Challenges and Progress in the Digital Twin Project

• Scott MacKenzie inquires about the challenges faced in digitizing the facility without existing blueprints.
• Greg explains the importance of understanding the current state of the building to simulate the build process.
• The project includes scanning platforms, tooling, flight hardware, and the building itself to create a detailed digital model.
• Chris adds that the digital twin helps in optimizing manufacturing processes and addressing issues like missing equipment.

Simulation and Optimization of Manufacturing Processes

• The digital twin is used to simulate complex lifts involving cranes to ensure efficient and safe operations.
• Scott asks about the efficiency of current manufacturing processes and the role of experienced professionals.
• Chris explains that while experienced professionals are valuable, new technologies help optimize processes for larger and more powerful rockets.
• The digital twin also addresses issues like missing equipment by providing real-time location tracking and optimizing factory workflows.

Future Goals and Success Criteria

• Scott asks about the timeline and success criteria for the digital twin project.
• Greg states that success would be achieving a full replica of the Michoud Assembly Facility, capable of simulating the build of rockets.
• The project is expected to continue for several years, with the ultimate goal of optimizing manufacturing processes and ensuring efficient operations.
• The digital twin will help in planning and executing complex lifts, reducing the risk of equipment breakdowns and improving overall efficiency.

Contact Information and Closing Remarks

• Scott MacKenzie provides contact information for Greg and Chris, encouraging listeners to reach out on LinkedIn or via email.
• Greg's email is greg.porter@sev1tech.com, and Chris's email is christopher.trencina@sev1tech.com.
• Scott thanks Gary for his contributions to the podcast and emphasizes the importance of the OMG q1 meeting in fostering collaboration and innovation.
• The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the OMG community and explore the digital twin project further.