Inside VT KnowledgeWorks

Welcome to the New Aeroprobe

From Aeroprobe Corporation:

Schultz-Creehan Holdings, Inc. has merged with its exclusive partner firm to become the new Aeroprobe Corporation. Bringing its manufacturing, design, and sales team under one roof, the company is poised to expand and continue to deliver the quality expected from the Aeroprobe brand.

Over the summer [2011], Schultz-Creehan and former Aeroprobe employees came together as one staff in Schultz-Creehan's VT KnowledgeWorks location. The vertical merger ensures that our design, fabrication, and calibration staff and facilities all have instant access to each other, streamlining the process of making high-tech, high-quality products. Our employees have a history of working with each other and have meshed well to form a tight-knit, highly informed team. We look forward to honoring Aeroprobe's global reputation for quality engineering solutions as we look ahead toward future growth opportunities.

Read the full news story from Aerobprobe.

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VT KnowledgeWorks encourages and enables creative entrepreneurship world-wide, through innovative curriculum, local business resource centers, and a global network of cooperating regions, all focused on three essential contributors to success: clear understanding of fundamental business principles; access to timely, relevant information; and meaningful personal and corporate relationships. It is a subsidiary of the Virginia Tech Foundation, funded through the continuing confidence and enthusiasm of its clients, sponsors and friends, both corporate and individual. Its world headquarters is in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

You're invited to keep up with VT KnowledgeWorks on Facebook and Twitter.

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, The Branch Group, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Hutchison Law Group, LeClairRyan, New River Valley Intellectual Property Law, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Schultz-Creehan Featured in Valley Business FRONT

Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company, was featured in the December 2010 issue of Valley Business FRONT.  The story is on pages 31 and 33 in this .pdf.

Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions to address complex product development challenges. Schultz-Creehan’s capabilities include design engineering, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, please visit www.schultz-creehan.com.  

You're invited to read more about Schultz-Creehan on Inside VT KnowledgeWorks.

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VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia.  Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company.  Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner.  Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Hutchison Law Group, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Schultz-Creehan Announces New Lab Equipment and Expansion

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

Schultz-Creehan LLC has expanded office and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, VA.

“Expanding our offices has given us the space to house a dedicated electronics lab and add machinery and equipment to our main lab,” stated CEO Nanci Hardwick.  

The company recently installed machinery including an induction brazing system, wire electrical discharge machine (EDM) and metal-working lathe. Each machine is a critical piece of technology for the design and fabrication of high precision components.

Induction brazing is a heating process in which two or more like or unlike materials are joined together by means of another metal alloy with a lower melting point. Braze joints can be made exceptionally strong, sometimes stronger than the two metals being joined.  Braze joints are liquid- and gas-tight, can withstand shock and vibration, are unaffected by normal temperature changes, provide good electrical conductivity and can be easily plated using conventional processes.  This method is precise, repeatable, and flameless.

The EDM is used in the metal removal process, and is an outstanding tool for mimicking tolerances and/or situations that would otherwise be difficult with any other method. The EDM results in a significant increase in overall accuracy and will be beneficial to the Schultz-Creehan team in developing products within the materials sciences and engineering sector.
 
Industrial metal-working lathes offer precision turning for Schultz-Creehan’s micro-machined and larger components.
 
 “Our design and development of our products, particularly probes, are enhanced by the greater fabrication abilities this machinery brings,” said Schultz-Creehan CEO Nanci Hardwick. “This is an exciting time at Schultz-Creehan, hoping this equipment will bring our customers in the aerospace and biomedical industries products that meet their demands with improved quality."

Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions to address complex product development challenges. Schultz-Creehan’s capabilities include design engineering, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, please visit www.schultz-creehan.com.  

“FrictionCoat” Metal Processing Technology Presented at NCDMM 2010 Summit by Schultz-Creehan

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

Schultz-Creehan CEO Nanci Hardwick presented “The Emergence of an Innovative Metal Processing Method” at the annual National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) Summit in Greensburg, PA.  Schultz-Creehan’s FrictionCoat and other "Emerging Technologies" were showcased during the event which provides a forum for collaboration between government facilities, large OEMs, part fabricators, service providers, technology developers and academic organizations.

FrictionCoat is an additive friction stir technology developed by Schultz-Creehan LLC for both joining and coating metals. Many applications have already been identified for this emerging technology. Shipbuilders are evaluating potential uses in surface ships and submarines. The rail gun industry is evaluating the coating process for increasing the wear resistance and durability of rail gun rails. Because the technology produces a metallurgical bond, any application requiring high bond strength (where traditional welding or flame-spray coatings are not viable or optimal) is a candidate.

Hardwick explained in her presentation that the primary benefit of this technology is ability to achieve superior bond strength in the most challenging of environments with a spectrum of materials.   “We see many opportunities for this metal joining and coating process in defense and industrial applications and were pleased to include a presentation on the development of FrictionCoat in our annual Summit event,” stated Ralph Resnick, VP, CTO & Director of Corporate Development for NCDMM.

NCDMM was established in 2003 to address and support the broad manufacturing and machining needs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its Suppliers.  Since its inception, the NCDMM has worked with numerous DoD organizations and their industrial supply base. NCDMM continues to expand that network to become increasingly involved with the manufacturing and machining issues facing DoD organizations and their contractor community. Through these interactions, the NCDMM has developed and delivered innovative solutions that have been applied to the benefit of these organizations and the U.S. warfighter.

Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions to address complex product development challenges. Schultz-Creehan’s capabilities include design engineering, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, please visit www.schultz-creehan.com.

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VT KnowledgeWorks has announced a Global Student Business Concept Challenge, August 29 - September 4, 2010, in Blacksburg and Roanoke, Virginia, USA.  The Challenge celebrates the energy and ingenuity of university students and their important contributions to the future of our global economy.  The name of the winning team, their university name, and their home city will be etched into the base of the VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge Trophy as a permanent tribute to their outstanding effort.  The winning team will earn a $25,000 cash prize.

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VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Hutchison Law Group, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Schultz-Creehan CEO Nanci Hardwick selected for LEAD VIRGINIA

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

Schultz-Creehan CEO Nanci Hardwick selected for LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2010
Program seeks to create leaders with statewide view

 
BLACKSBURG, VA—April 21, 2010. Schultz-Creehan LLC announces that CEO Nanci Hardwick has joined the LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2010. Hardwick is one of 47 participants selected from a pool of well qualified, competitive applicants for this state leadership program. Lead Virginia seeks individuals with outstanding leadership records and diverse backgrounds who will not only benefit from the program, but also contribute to it.
 
“It is important to engage senior executives from a wide range of disciplines to ensure that we are reaching every region, or geographic area.  By doing this, LEAD VIRGINIA is providing opportunities for leaders from all sectors to engage in a substantive dialogue about Virginia’s future.  We are particularly pleased to have Nanci join the 2010 class as a proven leader in her organization and community,” said Susan Horne, president and CEO of LEAD VIRGINIA.
 
LEAD VIRGINIA is a non-partisan statewide leadership program that educates established and proven leaders about regional differences and needs facing the Commonwealth. The program seeks to build relationships that span the state and establish a shared understanding of challenges, opportunities and solutions unique to the Commonwealth. Seven regional class sessions provide insight into issues facing different communities and a statewide perspective of Virginia's needs. Most importantly, the program strengthens the capacity of Virginia's leaders to work together, build trust and create social capital. By participating, Hardwick will increase her knowledge and understanding of issues and build the social capital necessary to LEAD VIRGINIA forward.
 
Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions to address complex product development challenges. Schultz-Creehan’s capabilities include design engineering, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, please visit www.schultzcreehan.com.

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VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia.  Programs for Members are divided into two categories according to the evolutionary status of the member company.  Pre-Launch program components are carefully constructed to help market-worthy ventures organize, formulate strategy, obtain outside investment, and launch in an efficient manner.  Enterprise class members benefit from emphasis on strategic support for ongoing growth, continuing intra-preneurship, and professional development for the corporate leader.

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VT KnowledgeWorks has announced a Global Student Business Concept Challenge, August 29 - September 4, 2010, in Blacksburg and Roanoke, Virginia, USA.  The Challenge celebrates the energy and ingenuity of university students and their important contributions to the future of our global economy.  The name of the winning team, their university name, and their home city will be etched into the base of the VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge Trophy as a permanent tribute to their outstanding effort.  The winning team will earn a $25,000 cash prize.

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VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Hutchison Law Group, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

 

Schultz-Creehan's Micro-Machining Expertise Ready for Growing Market in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

Dr. Kevin Creehan and Nanci Hardwick Speak On Developments in UAVs
Schultz-Creehan Leaders Cited in 2009 MICROmanufacturing Magazine Article
 
Blacksburg, Virginia – December 4, 2009.  Schultz-Creehan’s president and co-founder, Dr. Kevin Creehan, and CEO Nanci Hardwick recently contributed to the MICROmanufacturing article “What Goes Up Must Come Down – In Size.”  The article, which was published in the Fall 2009 issue, highlights the recent trend towards smaller aerospace parts and its positive growth effect on the micro manufacturing industry. The driving force behind this new market trend is cited by author Dennis Spaeth as the “enormous growth of interest in UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) by the U.S. military."
 
In the article, both Dr. Creehan and Ms. Hardwick point to Schultz-Creehan’s upcoming role in meeting the demands of this growing market.  Quoted in his comments about the emerging area of UAVs, Dr. Creehan indicated that he expects the demand for smaller UAVs to rise along with the production of UAVs in general.  Nanci Hardwick further suggested that customization of the unique components needed for task-specific UAV’s will provide further opportunities for rising companies like Schultz-Creehan with micro-machining expertise.
 
MICROmanufacturing publishes articles on additive and subtractive processes for producing components and part features ranging in size from a few microns up to 6mm.  The majority of its subscribers work for companies that produce components and products used in the medical, dental, aerospace, computer, electronic/communications, defense and automotive industries.  
 
About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry.  Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com.

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VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley of Virginia and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Schultz-Creehan’s Friction Stir Fabrication Technology Presented to Office of Naval Research

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

Last month, the Office of Naval Research hosted a Friction Stir Science & Technology Review in York, Pennsylvania to discuss advancements in Friction Stir technologies.  Among the attendees was Dr. Jeffrey Schultz Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Blacksburg’s high-tech engineering firm Schultz-Creehan, who reported the progress on his company’s development of Friction Stir Fabrication Technology.

This Friction Stir Fabrication technology, invented by Schultz-Creehan, is a low-temperature friction-based coating method used to deposit coatings, including metal matrix composites, onto aluminum substrates at relatively low temperatures. Friction Stir Fabrication Technology is also utilized in such means as applying ballistic and wear resistant coatings to aluminum decking and armor without the grain growth and loss of strength caused by current high temperature thermal spray technologies.

About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry.  Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com.

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More about Friction Stir Fabrication and a description of FRICTIONCOAT.

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VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley of Virginia and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Friction Stir Fabrication Technology Presented

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

At the 2009 Materials Science & Technology Conference, Dr. Jeffrey Schultz, Ph.D. represented Schultz-Creehan, a high-tech engineering firm from Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Schultz, a member of the Minerals Metals & Materials Society and Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Schultz-Creehan, gave a presentation on the firm’s innovative Friction Stir Fabrication Technology.  
 
Friction Stir Fabrication Technology, invented by Schultz-Creehan, is a low-temperature friction-based coating method used to deposit coatings, including metal matrix composites, onto aluminum substrates at relatively low temperatures.  Friction Stir Fabrication Technology is also utilized in such processes as applying ballistic and wear resistant coatings to aluminum decking and armor without the grain growth and loss of strength caused by current high temperature thermal spray technologies.
 
Materials Science & Technology Conferences are attended by the leading experts in the materials science community and is a forum addressing structure, processing, and properties. This year’s conference took place in Pittsburgh, PA, through October 25-29th, and was hosted by four leading materials societies: The American Ceramic Society, the Association for Iron and Steel Technologies (AIST), ASM International (ASM), and the Minerals Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
 
About Schultz-Creehan LLC:  Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry.  Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers.  For more information about Schultz-Creehan, visit www.schultz-creehan.com.

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I've written about Friction Stir Fabrication and here's a description of FRICTIONCOAT.

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VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley of Virginia and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Schultz-Creehan LLC Recognized as Leader in Technology and Industry

From Schultz-Creehan, a VT KnowledgeWorks member company:

Screenshot from Valley Business FRONT

Valley Business FRONT, Roanoke’s and the New River Valley’s progressive business publication magazine, released this month its FRONTlist 2009- Best of Business award winners. Of the nine industry fronts covered by the magazine, Schultz-Creehan was selected as this year’s Tech/Industry FRONTLeader award winner.
 
Dan Smith, the Co-Founder and editor of the magazine states, “Schultz-Creehan personifies the kind of entrepreneurial spirit we have in mind when we hand out any kind of award here at Valley Business FRONT. Schultz-Creehan has not only been a solid, growing company that is providing high-quality jobs for the region, but it is a good corporate citizen with workers who are treated well and its intention beyond simply piling up profit is clear.
 
The magazine’s FRONTList comes out towards the end of every year and represents the “best of” in all the areas that are most important to business. The winners are not chosen by a readers’ choice award system, but rather the magazine’s own listening and observing. Additionally, Valley Business FRONT confers with their editorial advisory board and engaged business leaders, while watching/reporting on current industry events, to further dissect each category. This compilation of industry leaders is the only list of its kind in the region. 
 
About Schultz-Creehan LLC: Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focusing on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry.  Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers.  Please read more information about Schultz-Creehan.

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VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley of Virginia and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).

Nanci Hardwick of Schultz-Creehan Gets Things Done

If you remember the photos of VT KnowledgeWorks Member Services Manager Lindsey Eversole's desk and my desk, you might imagine that I listened keenly to Nanci Hardwick's presentation on David Allen's Getting Things Done.  When CEO Nanci Hardwick of VT KnowledgeWorks member company Schultz-Creehan Holdings, Inc. thinks something works?  I want to know all about it.

Here's her presentation:

Nanci Hardwick Gets Things Done

View more presentations from Anne Giles Clelland.

I got some things done!  Here's my desk transformed!

May the link Nanci provided on how to follow David Allen's advice for Getting Email Under Control (.pdf) transform the other giant un-done pile in my life - my inbox!

Thank you, Nanci, for inspiring me and showing me how to get things done! 

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Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry.  Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering.  With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets for customers like DARPA, the Office of Naval Research and more.

VT KnowledgeWorks is a unique growth enhancement program open to entrepreneurs in the New River Valley of Virginia and beyond.  Acceleration center and incubation facilities are located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

VT KnowledgeWorks sponsors include Attaain, Inc., BB&T, Handshake 2.0, Harris Office Furniture, Hodges, Jones & Mabry, P.C., Latimer, Mayberry & Matthews IP Law, LeClairRyan, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and The Becher Agency (TBA).