Page 7 - WING May-Jun 2016
P. 7
Excited associates await the reveal of The NSX VIN 001 engine.
AEP Celebrates Role in the
Rebirth of an Icon
I t was Friday the 13th and approximately 150 associates Lucas reflected back to 2013 when a handful of AEP associates
excited about the Acura NSX project at the Anna Engine Plant
spent countless hours in an abandoned factory near Cleveland try-
ing to develop and refine this technology for application to the NSX.
(AEP) tossed superstitions aside on this special day in May.
So focused were they on production, they had yet to celebrate
both our passion and determination,” he said. The team ultimately
their milestone accomplishment, serial production of NSX #001 “We struggled to manually control the processes….and relied on
engine. This twin-turbocharged V6 engine will power Acura NSX mastered the unique application and the fruit of their labor is six
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 001, purchased for $1.2 million frame nodes for the NSX with significant impact crash worthiness.
at a charitable auction by NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick.
Paul Dentinger, AEP plant manager, summed up the challenges over-
Jim Mankin, engine quality project leader, spoke about the incredible come by a plant adept at mass production and high volume parts.
team effort to launch this bespoke 500 horsepower engine. When “The NSX engine challenged us to grow in small volume, precision
one thinks about the NSX, what naturally comes to mind is the craftsmanship.” He spoke of the delicate balance required between
venue wherein this exclusive Ohio built supercar will be built with human interaction and specialized equipment to produce a handcraft-
precision craftsmanship. Mankin smiled mischievously at the audi- ed engine worthy of Acura’s pinnacle product. In closing he thanked
ence, which included several from the Marysville project team, and everyone for their selfless sacrifices, including the families of all affili-
quipped “the Performance Manufacturing Center may have all the ated with the project.
bells and whistles of a new production facility, but they would go
nowhere fast without us.” Finally, the moment everyone awaited arrived. Guided by AEP associ -
ates Chad Hefner and Mark Opperman, the NSX engine #001 made
Mankin spoke of the honor bestowed upon the AEP team to produce its inaugural appearance through shimmering streamers hiding the
this engine. In 2014 when in Japan, he and several of the project auditorium’s double doors. Once the applause subsided, the entire
engine builders had dinner with Japanese partners who were instru- lineup of precision engine builders carefully surrounded the engine for
mental in the early days of AEP. He recalled their glistening eyes, full a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The ablation team followed suit, celebrat -
of pride in seeing the plant fulfill its potential. ing around a space frame with ablation nodes distinctly identified.
Engine Engineering Project Leader, Dave Jessen, reflected upon the While off to a good start, the story is still being written. Many nods
early challenges of trial builds faced by the project team, material han - of affirmation could be seen across the auditorium when Jessen
dling and the supplier base. The daily changes made to build sequenc - offered his final thoughts. “Our hard work has gotten us to the start-
es turned simple tasks into complex ones for everyone affected. ing line. To win the race, we must maintain our focus and attention
to detail,” he concluded.
When it comes to this project AEP had a dual role. Another associ-
ate team was also recognized at the gathering. This faction, affiliated If this event was any indication, the next generation Acura NSX has
with ablation casting, was addressed by Jerry Lucas, ablation quality an unparalleled competitive advantage, the pride of an extremely
engineer. Ablation casting is a new technology which combines tra- skilled and dedicated team willing to do whatever it takes to win…..
ditional sand molding techniques with rapid solidification resulting in for Acura…..for Honda….for our customers. W
high performance properties beyond traditional casting. Chris Tucker
chris_tucker@ham.honda.com
May/June 2016 WING 7
AEP Celebrates Role in the
Rebirth of an Icon
I t was Friday the 13th and approximately 150 associates Lucas reflected back to 2013 when a handful of AEP associates
excited about the Acura NSX project at the Anna Engine Plant
spent countless hours in an abandoned factory near Cleveland try-
ing to develop and refine this technology for application to the NSX.
(AEP) tossed superstitions aside on this special day in May.
So focused were they on production, they had yet to celebrate
both our passion and determination,” he said. The team ultimately
their milestone accomplishment, serial production of NSX #001 “We struggled to manually control the processes….and relied on
engine. This twin-turbocharged V6 engine will power Acura NSX mastered the unique application and the fruit of their labor is six
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 001, purchased for $1.2 million frame nodes for the NSX with significant impact crash worthiness.
at a charitable auction by NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick.
Paul Dentinger, AEP plant manager, summed up the challenges over-
Jim Mankin, engine quality project leader, spoke about the incredible come by a plant adept at mass production and high volume parts.
team effort to launch this bespoke 500 horsepower engine. When “The NSX engine challenged us to grow in small volume, precision
one thinks about the NSX, what naturally comes to mind is the craftsmanship.” He spoke of the delicate balance required between
venue wherein this exclusive Ohio built supercar will be built with human interaction and specialized equipment to produce a handcraft-
precision craftsmanship. Mankin smiled mischievously at the audi- ed engine worthy of Acura’s pinnacle product. In closing he thanked
ence, which included several from the Marysville project team, and everyone for their selfless sacrifices, including the families of all affili-
quipped “the Performance Manufacturing Center may have all the ated with the project.
bells and whistles of a new production facility, but they would go
nowhere fast without us.” Finally, the moment everyone awaited arrived. Guided by AEP associ -
ates Chad Hefner and Mark Opperman, the NSX engine #001 made
Mankin spoke of the honor bestowed upon the AEP team to produce its inaugural appearance through shimmering streamers hiding the
this engine. In 2014 when in Japan, he and several of the project auditorium’s double doors. Once the applause subsided, the entire
engine builders had dinner with Japanese partners who were instru- lineup of precision engine builders carefully surrounded the engine for
mental in the early days of AEP. He recalled their glistening eyes, full a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The ablation team followed suit, celebrat -
of pride in seeing the plant fulfill its potential. ing around a space frame with ablation nodes distinctly identified.
Engine Engineering Project Leader, Dave Jessen, reflected upon the While off to a good start, the story is still being written. Many nods
early challenges of trial builds faced by the project team, material han - of affirmation could be seen across the auditorium when Jessen
dling and the supplier base. The daily changes made to build sequenc - offered his final thoughts. “Our hard work has gotten us to the start-
es turned simple tasks into complex ones for everyone affected. ing line. To win the race, we must maintain our focus and attention
to detail,” he concluded.
When it comes to this project AEP had a dual role. Another associ-
ate team was also recognized at the gathering. This faction, affiliated If this event was any indication, the next generation Acura NSX has
with ablation casting, was addressed by Jerry Lucas, ablation quality an unparalleled competitive advantage, the pride of an extremely
engineer. Ablation casting is a new technology which combines tra- skilled and dedicated team willing to do whatever it takes to win…..
ditional sand molding techniques with rapid solidification resulting in for Acura…..for Honda….for our customers. W
high performance properties beyond traditional casting. Chris Tucker
chris_tucker@ham.honda.com
May/June 2016 WING 7
