Booth #W-20 – Today’s Technology Center

Today’s Technology Center, GIE Media Industrial Group’s booth at IMTS 2014, will feature an eclectic collection representing major cornerstones of the manufacturing market. Booth #W-20 – with its race car, a Corvette, drones, a space taxi, and a glass man – highlights the fulfillment of the designing and manufacturing processes we feature in our four publications – Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, Today’s Medical Developments, Today’s Energy Solutions, and our newest magazine, Today’s Motor Vehicles. Here’s a preview of what you’ll see.

Dream Chaser scale replica

Developed by Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Space Exploration Systems and Siemens PLM Software Group, the Dream Chaser Space Utitlity Vehicle (SUV) is a winged, lifting-body spacecraft designed to transport crew and cargo to and from low-Earth orbit – including transportation of NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Today’s Technology Center will feature a one-third scale model of the Dream Chaser, which recently finished wind-tunnel testing and is on track to reach orbit by 2017.

Features

• Crew size: 7, plus cargo
• Vertical launch from a United Launch
• Alliance Atlas V Launch Vehicle
• Capable of free flight in low-Earth orbit
• Low-g re-entry (<1.5gs)
• Low-impact horizontal landing on conventional runways

2015 Corvette Z06

The Z06 rejoins the Corvette lineup for 2015 as the most capable model in the iconic car’s 62-year history. It stretches the performance envelope for Corvette with unprecedented levels of aerodynamic downforce, and it’s the first Corvette Z06 to offer a supercharged engine, an 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, and thanks to a strong aluminum frame, a removable roof panel.

The high-performance Corvette model is also a test piece for new materials and technologies. The hood uses carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), and an available upgrade package uses carbon fiber in a front-air splitter, rocker panels, winglets, and a larger rear spoiler. In addition, the car uses a hydroformed aluminum frame, and GM used magnesium for seat mounts, transmission parts, and other critical components. Those frame improvements boosted stiffness by 20% without increasing weight.

Highlights

• Race-proven design, advanced technologies, and world-class performance
• First Corvette Z06 to offer supercharged engine, paddle-shift automatic transmission, and removable roof panel for coupes and convertible model
• LT4 supercharged 6.2L V-8 SAE-certified at 650hp (485kW) and 650 lb-ft of torque (881Nm)

Firejet aerial target system

Today’s Technology Center will feature three models of the multi-role aerial target system from Composite Engineering Inc. These lightweight, carbon-fiber Firejets can fly at speeds in excess of Mach 1 and at altitudes higher than 45,000ft.

BQM-167i
Based upon the United States Air Force BQM-167A, the BQM-176i’s primary missions are to test and evaluate new weapons systems and to train aviators in air-to-air combat against a threat-representative target system.

Specs

• Length: 6.10m
• Wingspan: 3.20m
• Dry weight: 295.0kg
• Engine: 445daN thrust turbojet

MQM-178
The MQM-178 Firejet fills a variety of mission roles, including anti-aircraft artillery and air-to-air missile testing. Capable of flying low and slow or high and fast, Firejet users can test multiple platforms with one flexible aerial target system.

Specs

• Length: 3.28m
• Wingspan: 1.98m
• Dry weight: 58.97kg
• Engines: 2 x 36.03 daN thrust turbojets

BQM-177i
Designed for highly dynamic, high-subsonic, sea-skimming, anti-ship cruise missile threat emulation, the BQM-177i can hit speeds of nearly 1 Mach, and an altitude higher than 12,100m. This model is suited for missions that include the testing and evaluating new weapon systems and training aviators in air-to-air combat scenarios.

Specs

• Length: 5.18m
• Wingspan: 2.13m
• Dry Weight: 281kg
• Engine: 444.82 daN thrust turbojet

From implants to durable equipment

Medical device technology can be as small as implants that are invisible to the naked eye or as large as an MRI machine – or bigger. Today’s Technology Center will feature a clear mannequin – affectionately called the Glass-Man – to display a variety of components: knee, hip, and shoulder implants; stents, pacemakers, and implantable defibrillators; bone screws and plates; and durable equipment.

GIE Miles for Manufacturing 5k Walk/Run

Sweat off that IMTS stress at GIE’s first Miles for Manufacturing 5k walk/run. The big race starts at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, in Grant Park, Chicago. A special, early bird registration fee of $25 is available until Aug. 10, 2014. After, it is $35. Your registration fee includes a race T-shirt, chip timing, and post-race drink and food. Proceeds from the race will be donated to funding manufacturing education. For more information and to register, visit www.MilesForManufacturing.com.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 10
Place: Grant Park, Chicago
Registration opens: 6 a.m.
Race starts: 7 a.m.
Early bird Registration: $25 (ends Aug. 10, 2014; $35 after)
Packet pickup: Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, at Today’s Technology Center, W-20, West Hall, McCormick Place

No. 41 Kurt Busch Chevrolet SS

This year, Stewart-Haas Racing is bringing the No. 41 Kurt Busch Chevrolet SS to Booth #W-20. Team members also include Kevin Harvick, driver/owner Tony Stewart, and Danica Patrick, who make up the most exciting team competing in the Sprint Cup. Come get a close-up look at this race car that has a top speed of more than 200mph.

On May 25, Busch used the No. 41 car to attempt The Double – racing both the Indianapolis 500 (open-wheel race) and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race on the same day. After finishing 6th in Indianapolis, Busch was close to the front of the pack in Charlotte, N.C., when his engine failed on lap 273. Only three NASCAR drivers have completed this challenge.