Principal investigator: Steven Stumbris
Co-PI: Ian Proud, James Pain and Joe Wilck
University: Bucknell University
Industry partners: QE Manufacturing
QE Manufacturing qe-man.com is a progressive manufacturer in New Berlin, PA, employing 50 people. They make precision-machined parts and assemblies for the aerospace, military and defense, and commercial industries, and have AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified quality systems and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration.
This transformation of the company will overhaul operational infrastructure to address the “automation arms race” defining the precision machining industry. Traditional price-based competition is effectively obsolete, displaced by intense rivalry focused on lights-out efficiency and AI-driven responsiveness. This shift threatens the long-term viability of generalist shops, particularly as the industry faces an acute talent crisis and the rapid maturation of additive manufacturing substitutes. Current manual workflows and data silos create bottlenecks that prevent compliance with the digital passport requirements of modern aerospace and medical OEMs. This project will implement advanced CNC automation and digital data threads, securing QE’s position as a resilient, high-value partner in a volatile supply chain.