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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Steven Izaguirre, 100th Maintenance Squadron NCO-in-charge of the non-destructive inspections, inspects a bolt at RAF Mildenhall, England, May 7, 2019. Izaguirre created a device that cuts bolt inspection time by 93 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)Tech. Sgt. Steven Izaguirre, 100th Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspections Section noncommissioned officer in charge, inspects a bolt at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, May 7, 2019. Iziguerra created a device that cuts bolt inspection time by 93%. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)
                
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        U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Steven Izaguirre, 100th Maintenance Squadron NCO-in-charge of the non-destructive inspections, aligns bolts in a slot guided inspection carriage at RAF Mildenhall, England, May 7, 2019. Izaguirre and his Airmen inspect aircraft parts to ensure they are free of cracks and defects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)Tech. Sgt. Steven Izaguirre, 100th Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspections Section noncommissioned officer in charge, aligns bolts in a slot guided inspection carriage at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, May 7, 2019. Iziguerra and his Airmen inspect aircraft parts to ensure they are free of cracks and defects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)
                
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Bolt inspection tool wins innovation awardPublished May 13, 2019
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron
                    
                    
                    100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
            **RAF MILDENHALL, United Kingdom (AFNS) --**Tech. Sgt. Steven Iziguerra, 100th Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspections Section noncommissioned officer in charge, won the Team Mildenhall Innovation of the Quarter Award for the first quarter of 2019 for a slot guided inspection carriage he developed to increase the efficiency of the bolt inspection process.
As part of the NDI team, Iziguerra and his Airmen inspect aircraft parts to ensure they are anatomically sound and free of cracks and defects.
“We provide structural integrity to the aircraft,” Iziguerra said. “We look for microscopic cracks and give peace of mind to both pilots and maintainers.”
The tool Iziguerra developed is made out of plastic and was produced using a 3D printer.
“Originally, we were only able to inspect seven bolts, but now we’re able inspect 24 bolts at once. We cut our inspection time by 93%,“ Iziguerra said.
Iziguerra’s troops have noticed the time savings as well.
“It gives us a lot more time to do other things in the shop,” said Airman 1st Class Clarence Bennett, 100th MXS NDI apprentice. “Having the carriage really does make my job easier.”
In addition to saving time, the slot guided inspection carriage is saving money. The innovation saves upwards of $25,000 per year due to decreased inspection time per bolt.
“The amount of money we are saving is ridiculous,” Bennett said.
Iziguerra’s time and money-saving innovation hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. Air Force leadership has already taken notice.
“It’s being looked at by our Air Force NDI program managers and they are looking to implement it in the technical orders we use to actually do our jobs,” Iziguerra said. “Pacific Air Forces as a whole is interested in using our innovation, and Beale Air Force Base is also testing it.”
After seeing the impact his innovation has made, Iziguerra encourages others to realize improvements in their work centers.
“If you take the time to really write down what the savings are and map it out, you can make it happen,” Iziguerra said. “The technology is there. 3D printing is there. Your innovation might save you some time, or it could save the Air Force millions of dollars.”AFWN 



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