GE Homeland Security
Challenge
After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the demand for the InVision Technologies airport-security luggage-scanning equipment increased dramatically. Invision’s managers faced a difficult choice. They could expand their headcount, which would raise payroll expenses immediately, even though they would need to wait 9–15 months to complete recruitment, hiring, and training. Or, they could turn to a trusted partner, one with proven engineering and manufacturing experience, to quickly address their new technology and capacity requirements.
Solution
Since we had manufactured this system since 1998 for InVision Technologies, we have proven to have the ability to handle third-party controller programming (on a project that required seven axes of coordinated movement), Invision turned to us again. This time it was to develop a robust, modular, motion-control box that would house high-current amplifiers and associated hardware. The inputs, outputs, and footprint were specified by InVision. We engineered and completed the specification, including key components and custom materials, field-serviceable amplifier modules, and printed circuit boards.
Another challenge InVision faced after September 11 was that it needed significant changes to its machines, as well as to the original motion-control system we had produced. So, we concurrently ramped up production schedules and designed a new controller system to reduce costs and enhance serviceability.
Then in 2010, as the system matured, additional changes were required. GE Homeland Security (formerly Invision Systems), requested our help once more to streamline and reduce the cost of the system, while preserving the original designs and specifications. We were also asked to update the UL work that we had performed earlier. To address those needs, we reduced the system from seven to four axes, all while maintaining the continuity of quality, manufacturing, service, and support.
Results
Trust Automation’s engineering and manufacturing teams executed on all fronts, by:
- Adding several new engineering features to the existing amplifier system
- Producing and delivering a newly designed system, and
- Accelerating delivery schedules from a few systems per quarter to several systems per week, while maintaining a 100% on-time record
Our excellent revision control and in-house testing allowed the customers to purchase a solid, reliable component while they focused their efforts on shipping a complex product.
In 2011, Morpho Detection, a division of Safran, purchased this group from GE. We continue to work with Morpho today, as we had for nearly ten years with InVision and GE.
Our customers depend on us for reliable support. The Trust Automation team draws from its motion-control and sustaining-engineering experience, acquired over many years and several hundred projects in diverse industries. This unmatched expertise enables us to quickly implement durable solutions, backed by proper revision control and high quality.
