By Mike Boyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

TechSolve, a manufacturing assistance organization in Bond Hill, has won a $6 million federal grant to do research into "intelligent" grinding technology.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology picked TechSolve and its project team: Delphi Corp., Landis Gardner, Applied Grinding Technologies and Purdue University.

The grant will fund research and development led by Dr. Anil Srivastava, TechSolve's manager of manufacturing technology, into grinding technology to enhance manufacturing competitiveness and productivity.

"Intelligent" grinding refers to a system that applies artificial intelligence to learn, control, monitor and improve complex grinding processes without having to resort to less efficient and more time-consuming trial and error. Precision grinding now requires operators with years of experience.

"Intelligent machining processes are the future of manufacturing, and this work is an important part of TechSolve's mission to provide machining and technology solutions," said Gary Conley, TechSolve's president.

Fuze maker wins $2.3M contract

KDI Precision Products, Clermont County maker of bomb fuzes, has won a $2.3 million contract to develop a new electronic fuze for the Air Force.

The so-called Tactical Munition Dispenser Fuze would replace the mechanical device now used by the Air Force. The project could potentially be worth $15 million through 2012, the unit of L-3 Communications Inc. said.

KDI, which employs 300, will work with Electronics Development Corp. in Columbia, Md., to develop the new fuze.

The companies say the new fuze is more affordable and offers better reliability and safety.

KDI said some of the technology in the TMD is now used in the Joint Stand-Off Weapon, Sidewinder and the Army's Guided MLRS artillery rocket.

Machine tool orders down from June tally

Orders for machines that cut and form metals had a second consecutive year-over-year increase in July, according to two industry trade groups.

Machine tool orders rose 8 percent in July to $157.06 million from $145.09 million in July 2002, according to the monthly report prepared by the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association and the Association for Manufacturing Technology.

But the July total was down 34 percent from June's $236.9 million, the highest monthly total this year, the trade groups said.

For the year, orders totaled $1.1 billion, off 16 percent from the $1.3 billion in the same period last year.

U.S., France certify GE/Snecma engine

U.S. and French aviation authorities have certified the newest CFM56 engine version, paving the way for its aircraft certification on the Airbus A340-300 and entry into service in October.

GE Aircraft Engines in Evendale and Snecma Moteurs in France build the CFM56 engines jointly.

The CFM56-5C/P will be available on the A340-300 and the enhanced A340 slated for certification next year and as an upgrade kit for CFM56-5C operators later this year.

GEAE and Snecma see a potential market for 500 engines or upgrade kits.

Officials to discuss 'sheltering in place'

"Sheltering in place'' will be discussed at the Alliance for Chemical Safety meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the offices of the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, 3805 Edwards Road, Norwood.

The alliance is composed of industry officials and others interested in chemical safety. For information, contact Deb Leonard at 612-3074.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com