Lockheed Martin: Flying High With Digital Twin
August 9, 2023 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
While at a conference in Dallas, Barry Matties listened to a presentation on digital twin from Don Kinard, a senior fellow at Lockheed Martin. Later, we reached out to Don, who was happy to provide a deeper understanding of digital twin’s role in the manufacturing space. What does digital twin mean when the product you manufacture is an eight- or nine-figure combat aircraft packed full of electronics?
Barry Matties: Don, let’s start with your background and experience at Lockheed.
Don Kinard: I got my PhD in polymer science at Texas A&M, and I worked for an oil company for a couple of years followed by a couple more years in marketing in Belgium. I came to Lockheed Martin because I didn't like being a salesman. Here, I worked in composite materials for a few years, then as a contract program manager. I was assigned to the F-22 as composites lead, then as a design team lead, followed by the engineering lead for the factory, and finally deputy director for the Mid Fuselage Build Team. Later, I became the director of F-35 production engineering and restarted the program with a large team in a new configuration, which we’re currently building. We’ve delivered nearly 1,000 F-35s to date. I’ve had the opportunity to be a senior fellow at Lockheed for the past 12 years, with the last seven or eight working in digital transformation in one form or another.
This is my 39th and last year with Lockheed because I'm retiring next year. I've been a program person for the F-22, F-35, and some F-16s, and now I’m just trying to head us on the right path with digital transformation as I walk out the door, so to speak.
Matties: How did you get started in digital transformation?
Kinard: Digital transformation in our industry started with 3D modeling. Lockheed got involved in the mid-’90s when we started developing 3D models and common PLM systems. I think Boeing even started a little earlier than that. The F-35, for example, started as a digital program. We used the digital thread—3D solid models—for everything. Everybody accessed a common database so those models could be passed along from engineering to manufacturing. That was the beginning of digital transformation.
Continue reading this feature interview in the August 2023 issue of SMT007 Magazine.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Sustainability in the Industry
04/26/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Henry Crandall and Chris Nash of Indium Corporation discuss the company's 90th anniversary and its focus on sustainability. They focus on the benefits of sustainable materials, their compatibility, and value propositions. The conversation also highlights how Durafuse LT technology's role in reducing reflow temperatures is leading to significant cost and energy savings. Nash also touches on downstream sustainability efforts such as using recycled materials for packaging.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/26/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineIn this week’s roundup, we have a variety of articles covering everything from design through assembly, and even box build. I’ve always wondered whether box build was all it was cracked up to be. Do customers really pick one EMS provider over another because one company offers box build? And if you’ve ever wanted to volunteer, IPC’s Thought Leaders Program is looking for a few good technologists to help them on their mission. Check out Stanton Rak’s article, which was published in the spring issue of IPC Community.
Taiyo Circuit Automation Installs New DP3500 into Fuba Printed Circuits, Tunisia
04/25/2024 | Taiyo Circuit AutomationTaiyo Circuit Automation is proud to be partnered with Fuba Printed Circuits, Tunisia part of the OneTech Group of companies, a leading printed circuit board manufacturer based out of Bizerte, Tunisia, on their first installation of Taiyo Circuit Automation DP3500 coater.
LPKF Extends Contract of CEO Klaus Fiedler until 2028
04/24/2024 | LPKFThe Supervisory Board of LPKF Laser & Electronics SE has decided to extend the contract of Dr. Klaus Fiedler as CEO until 31 December 2028. "Under the leadership of Klaus Fiedler, LPKF has undergone some extensive transformation since he joined just over 2 years ago.
Women MAKE Awards Recognizes GlobalFoundries’ Jennifer Robbins and Katelyn Harrison for Manufacturing Excellence
04/24/2024 | GlobalFoundriesThe Manufacturing Institute (MI)—the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers—honored two outstanding women from GlobalFoundries (GF) at their annual Women MAKE Awards. Jennifer (Jenny) Robbins, Senior Director, Central Facilities, was recognized as a 2024 Women MAKE Awards Honoree, while Katelyn Harrison, Senior Integration Engineer, was honored as an Emerging Leader.