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With our staff of engineers and scientists, we have the capability to design, build and install systems that transport materials, test pharmaceuticals, handle chemicals, launch aircraft, and even cut cookies, among many other process system design and development challenges. We have the technical depth to replace an old system with a more effective one, and the knowledge to create an entirely new process when one is needed. Foster-Miller has been providing specialized equipment, process systems and services to the commercial nuclear power industry for power plant inspection and maintenance since we first introduced our CECIL® robot almost 20 years ago. We ensure that our systems provide unmatched control and precision using advanced optical imaging systems, position tracking technology and high quality user interface and control. Systems and services are available for steam generator in-bundle high-pressure water-jet lancing, steam generator upper bundle spray cleaning and plant foreign object retrieval both in-bundle and in annulus areas of the steam generator. In addition, Foster-Miller designs and builds specialized robotic and remotely operated systems for use in high radiation and hazardous environments. Foster-Miller develops, designs and fabricates specialized equipment and process systems used by the U.S. Army’s Chemical Demilitarization program for safe and efficient destruction and neutralization of a wide range of chemical munitions and chemical container systems. These process systems include precision remote operating tools for handling, positioning, and processing in highly toxic and corrosive environments. All the equipment is designed, built, and tested to strict chemical demilitarization standards developed by the U.S. Army. Each system is qualified and tested with government oversight and delivered to the Army operations site where Foster-Miller provides support for installation and systemization. We also provide equipment maintenance and repair support during operations at Army controlled demilitarization sites. For the past 18 years, Foster-Miller has been providing advanced process systems and robotics to support the U.S. Navy’s nuclear programs with systems specifically designed to meet the high standards for equipment and systems operated in the reactor rooms onboard the most advanced naval nuclear assets. Large and sophisticated remotely operated systems are designed to be delivered dockside at any Navy shipyard in the United States to provide critical maintenance within the ship’s nuclear power plants to assure optimum performance of the most advanced shipboard nuclear power plants in the world. Foster-Miller offers a wide range of laboratory automation design services that are driven by a comprehensive system development lifecycle that integrates our mechanical, electrical and software efforts into a well-documented process. While we begin with a thorough analysis of existing technologies in an effort to integrate off-the-shelf solutions whenever possible, our proven track record in engineering services complements our effort to provide innovative hardware systems that meet all the design requirements. Our software development team is capable of providing a broad range of services that meet requirements ranging from a stand-alone work cell to a fully integrated enterprise solution. Software is designed and written using state-of-the-art technologies following a well-established SDLC. Novelty sells. It creates the value-added aspect that commands a higher selling price. It often also requires dedicated process and production equipment to make a novel product. That is the unique niche of expertise where Foster-Miller excels. We know the food industry well, having spent nearly 50 years developing new products and custom equipment for most major food companies, including General Mills, Nabisco, Kraft, and Kellogg’s, to name a few. We depend on our customers to present the product idea; they know their markets. Foster-Miller adds the process and engineering expertise to translate the idea into reality. The equipment we design is used for long-term mass production; the process must therefore be cost-effective, robust, and produce a product that has consistent quality. We go about it as follows: Evaluate the process options with our customers. Supply the materials and engineering expertise in addition to our customer’s own expertise in food technology. Perform breadboard and proof-of-principle demonstrations. Design and build a pilot line and, with the customer, fine-tune the process parameters. Design, build, install and integrate the equipment, from a single machine to an entire plant.
Design and fabrication of custom production equipment for the medical industry and the invention of new medical products are long-standing Foster-Miller capabilities. Over the decades, we have designed drug packaging systems, more ergonomic medical devices, smaller artificial hearts and new orthopaedic assist equipment. Specific capabilities in this area include: Field research and product /device design. Prototyping: LSIR. Proprietary process development. Manufacturing equipment design and build. Mechanical/electrical/software design. Testing and certification. Manufacture and field support/depot repair.
In addition to inventing products and equipment specifically for the food and medical industries, Foster-Miller also works in the area of general manufacturing. For example, we invented the process that makes it possible to continuously mold Velcro® and invented the machine that makes Raychem shrink sleeves. One of the lessons we have learned is how often we can take a technique or idea from one technology area and apply it in a completely different context. We are able to use our in-house resources to research subjects important to general manufacturing, including: We have used our findings to develop plastic processing for new lightweight batteries, process control for consistent consumer products, and automated manufacturing to maintain quality.
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