Y-12 Blog
It’s a go.
Y-12 recently received the Qualification Evaluation Release for the B61-12 Life Extension Program canned subassembly. Receiving this QER was the final step to authorize CNS to begin manufacturing and delivery of the program’s first production unit, scheduled for March 2019.
Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal said, “We are delivering a key contribution to global security through this program. I couldn’t be more proud of how all organizations pulled together to accomplish this difficult task.”
Tom Hayden (center) listens to Y-12 interns share results from their projects.
Last month, CNS’s 47 summer interns gave employees an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the valuable work they performed at Pantex and Y‑12 over the past 10 weeks.
Of the interns (11 at Pantex and 36 at Y-12), eight returned to CNS for a second stint. The students represented 24 universities, including the United States Military Academy at West Point, and worked with one of six CNS organizations. More than 20 were part of NNSA’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program or other university partnership programs and consortia.
Amanda Muirhead, Talent Management consultant and Y‑12 Summer Intern program manager, said, “This 2018 summer intern class was an extremely bright and engaged group, and they served as a great reminder of the importance of taking initiative in your work and in what you care about. Something unique about this class in particular were the friendships that were made and care they displayed for each other. This class not only demonstrated they are book smart, but that they are overall well‑rounded people who we had the pleasure to get to know.”
Nicole Eminger, acting senior manager of Diversity and Talent Management, said, “Last fall when we began reviewing resumes, I knew that the caliber of students for the 2018 Intern Program was going to raise the bar. This group of interns certainly did not disappoint. As a whole, the intern class inspired me and reminded me that tomorrow’s workforce is innovative, passionate to affect change, willing to learn, and ready to take on any challenge we put in front of them.”
Twenty‑three interns were selected to receive full‑time employment offers to join CNS after graduation with an additional 11 being considered for returning internships.
Evan from @school (right) talks with Morgan Smith (left) and Mike Beck at the Pantex Intern Expo.
Watch the Computed Tomology Technology video
For decades, Y-12 has used x-ray technology to inspect parts for reliability issues.
This two-dimensional process is not only time-consuming, the rising costs of the technology make it prohibitive to operate in a production environment.
Developers at Y-12 are taking Computed Tomography (CT) technology and using it to produce high-fidelity data for batches of parts in a quick, efficient manner, which makes quality checks a one-stop evaluation.
Take a look at how Y-12 is seeing the unseen—quickly and accurately.
Y-12 Procurement Coordinator Derek Raby, left, and Dennis Lorick of onsite vendor Tevet discuss some of the items that will be available at the new tool crib and parts station.
The way parts and materials will be ordered, handled, and distributed at Pantex and Y-12 is changing—instead of going out to get parts and tools from a vendor, the vendor is coming to us, and it’s not costing us anything—in fact, it’s saving taxpayer dollars.
Known as vendor-managed inventory, the concept basically brings the supplier and materials to the point of use, similar to having an on site storefront. It was piloted at the new John C. Drummond Center at Pantex where a catalog of 10,000 office supplies was reduced to 1,000 approved items that are delivered directly to the employee. Until the items are delivered to the worker, they are owned and managed by the supplier.
The savings come from bulk ordering, reducing redundant ordering by various departments as well as more costly emergency ordering. CNS does not own or pay for materials until they are issued to a work order or end user. The small business provider will manage the materials and ensure stock levels are maintained.
Once the tool crib station at Y-12 is up and running, a second station will be opened. Both the office supplies and the tool crib/parts models will eventually expand to include both sites.
Nancy Jo Nicholas, (at left) INMM Fellows Committee chair, recognizes Hassler as INMM Fellow, along with Corey Hinderstein, INMM president
Morris Hassler, senior director of Consolidated Nuclear Security’s Global Security & Strategic Partnerships, was named a fellow of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management at the organization’s 59th annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Only senior INMM members who have attained distinction in the field of nuclear materials management may be honored with the rank of fellow through nomination by their peers, recommendation by the Fellows Committee, and approval by the Executive Committee. INMM promotes leading research and development as well as the practical application of new concepts, approaches, techniques and equipment for managing nuclear materials.