Enterprise and Emerging Manufacturing
Abstract
Enterprise and Emerging Manufacturing addresses advanced manufacturing technologies and business practices for defense applications. Key focus areas include direct digital (or additive) manufacturing, advanced manufacturing enterprise, machining, robotics, assembly, and joining. Will accelerate delivery of technical capabilities to impact current warfighting operations while reducing cost, acquisition time, and risk of major defense acquisition programs. It is paramount for the U.S. military to improve its own agility and flexibility. The focus is to find a solution to overcome a burdensome acquisition cycle requiring a great amount of cost, time, security, and storage space. Through the use of secure satellite data links or a local parts database, warfighters can access CAD designs for replacement parts, allowing them to repair equipment without the need to establish supply chains or wait for shipments. It allows operators to modify a part's design based on its performance in the field. Emerging manufacturing technologies undergoing development include: a large-scale challenge for advanced, interoperable machine tool applications, and methods for exchange of 3D official technical data throughout the supply chain and between the Government and contractors. Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST) (FY 2014): Replace comparatively slow, expensive sintering process with the capability to produce fine grained, fully dense materials that are not possible and/or cost-prohibitive with conventional sintering processes (days to minutes). FAST will significantly reduce cycle time for armor materials over 60%, and the near-net-shaped nature of FAST can reduce machining costs by 90% (and overall item cost by more than 20%). Applications: EAPS, JAGM(Army), Small Diameter Bomb (Air Force), Next Generation Warheads, ceramic body and vehicle armor, tungsten kinetic energy penetrators, IR windows, heat sinks for electromagnetic propulsion cooling, insensitive munitions UHTC, height temp leading edge. MTConnect Challenge Phase I (FY 2014): MTConnect is a manufacturing industry standard to facilitate the organized retrieval of process information from numerically controlled machine tools. This project continues the development and implementation of production interactive solutions to contribute to reduced cycle time throughout the factory; production metrics presented in real time using adaptable dashboards; enable real-time actions and decisions based on real time facts and data; correlate planned operations and processing with actual events for enhanced efficiency in the future; develop knowledge-based correlation of processing events with part quality to improve efficiency and reduce rework. Applications span the broad US Industrial Base. MTConnect Challenge - Phase II (FY 2015/2016): Development and implementation of production interactive solutions based on the expansion of MTConnect Challenge will contribute to reduced cycle times and the development of real-time production metrics for adaptable dashboard applications. Applications span academia’s role and the broad US Industrial Base. High Power Ultrasonic Assisted Drilling (FY 2015): This project is jointly resourced with FY 2014 Industrial Base Innovation Fund resources. Addresses the problem of high costs of drilling various alloys of significant strength, High KSI Steels, IN625, and Composites by developing ultrasonic technology for hole drilling applications to improve productivity and tool life by more than 50%. Potentially impacts all systems that require drilling of holes. Framework for Assessing Cost and Technology (FACT) (FY 2014-2016): Reduce the system engineering development time by 50% compared to traditional trade off studies, and reduce the cost of manufacturing by 10%-15%. Create M777 stabilizer arm performance/production models and federate through FACT architecture. Conduct tradeoff analysis between casting and TIG/MIG welding with delivery of prototype hardware. Expected result: lead time reductions from 12-18 months to 90 days; component cost for the M777 will be reduced by 15%; additional critical M777 and mortar system parts identified. Applications include DoD Systems - Developmental, Block Upgrade, and Legacy Systems. Cyber Security for the Shop Floor – Phase II (FY 2016): Phase I was initiated using FY 2014 IBIF resources. Develop a Trusted and Assured supply chain, identify threat vulnerabilities of industrial control systems, provide input to DoD policies, and shape follow-on investment to mitigate threat vulnerabilities. Applications span the US Defense Industrial Base.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 002781f61855b7beef8fc522c7ea5f7c