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Click here to download the USM video presentation.
72meg file

Click here to download the USM Digital Manufacturing presentation.
41 meg file

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To sell a concept, teach a procedure, or assure complete understanding of a process, there is nothing like a demonstration. But what do you do when a hands-on demonstration is out of the question? Perhaps the product is too large... Maybe it's in use, or it does not even exist – yet. How do you explain your idea and convey the key points of your message without the product?

USM has produced dozens of mockups and trainers for defense and industry. These trainers range from a conceptual model that illustrates the general principles of a piece of equipment or system, to a completely realistic replication of the actual product. To allow a trainee to gain the required hands-on experience, realistically and safely, a trainer is often the solution. The trainee can practice a new skill under controlled conditions. If he or she makes an error, it is part of the learning experience, not a disaster – and expensive equipment is not jeopardized.

The acquisition cost of complex electromechanical equipment can be prohibitive when training maintenance crews. USM produces fully functional replications of tactical systems. Dynamic mockups and trainers can be developed with identical weight, balance and functional outputs to reduce the overall cost of training. A complete system or any part of a system can be replicated for use in training. Entire cockpit environments can be mocked-up to the level of detail required for the training task. F-14 and F-18 canopy system training devices teach the correct operating procedures for components of the aircraft canopy system and ejection seat. Replicas of pyrotechnic components were installed for safety-critical training of maintenance crews. F-22 Full Mission Trainers teach pilots how to fly the aircraft and carry out mission objectives. These large F-22 weapons and maintenance trainers provide completely realistic experience in a safe environment without tying up expensive resources for training.

The US Navy trains submariners in damage control in realistic trainers produced and installed by USM at several locations. Highly detailed ship's propulsion systems maintenance trainers give sailors hands-on experience in removal and installation of gas turbine power plants in the ship's hull.

USM, Inc. has received commendations from the Navy for classroom training devices for both submarine and surface vessels. From McDonnell Douglas, for this C-17 cargo load model classroom trainer, as well as from a host of satisfied clients in the petrochemical, engineering, construction and oil and gas equipment manufacturing industries.

A scale model brings three-dimensional life to your idea. Lightweight models and cutaways demonstrate a product's features. Full-scale models and mockups provide astronauts hands-on training in the Weightless Environment Training Facility at NASA. Prototypes may be developed to convert a concept into reality, or to save time and expense retooling for a product change. Rapid prototyping allows USM to develop a product from a 3-D computer file to physical reality in a matter of hours – without the expense of major tooling. A mock-up can provide a low-cost alternative to an engineering evaluation. When you want to develop and communicate an idea, a product, or a project, a model can be your best approach.

USM, Inc. is a leading developer of training and sales aids, scale models, and mockups for business, industry and government applications. Our clients benefit from our over 46 years' experience with innovative and creative approaches to a wide variety of models, mockups, sales and training aids. We produce industrial models from acrylic compressor valves, to a full-scale mockup of the Shuttle Orbiter crew compartment. Our understanding of the product and its mission is evident and critical to the project's success.

USM, Inc. is a complete engineering and production facility uniquely dedicated to developing and producing training devices, models, mockups, and simulators. We take pride in our ability to grasp new concepts quickly, and to develop these concepts into a finished product in the shortest possible time. To reach these goals, we assign an experienced, multi-disciplined team of specialists to each project.

The product development process begins with our Engineering department's review of the project to determine the client's needs. They devise the best way for the device to satisfy those needs and plan the design, development, and fabrication of the product in close cooperation with the client. Our staff of engineers, and a drafting department using a network of CADD workstations, advances a concept to the production stage. Teams of skilled master craftsmen develop these plans into tangible products.

Our modern engineering and manufacturing facility incorporates over 39 thousand square feet of engineering and production space. The low bay contains a fully equipped 8,000-sq. ft. machine shop, utilizing CNC machining, and an 8,000-sq.ft. model shop with state of the art equipment including a CO2 laser cutting machine. USM is also on the cutting edge of rapid prototyping using a state-of-the-art fused deposition modeling machine. This machine creates physical 3-D parts from ABS plastic from a 3-D electronic file. The high bay is used for assembly of larger training devices and mockups. Dedicated teams of Master Craftsmen use a variety of plastics, wood, ferrous and non-ferrous metals to complete the finished product. Master machinists produce the finely crafted components that require human creativity. Welders fabricate complex weldments of components. The end items can range from a relatively uncomplicated conceptual mockup to a scale model that faithfully reproduces the finest details of the product.

Our technical writing staff prepares courseware, Operation and Maintenance Manuals as well as supplying additional technical and logistic support for our products. As the model is completed, special display cases, as well as shipping and storage containers can be constructed to show and protect the model for years to come.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a model is surely worth a thousand pictures. To communicate your information, a three-dimensional model, mockup, sales or training aid is unsurpassed. So, when you need to show your idea, concept, product or project, take advantage of our experience and proven success... call USM, Inc.