High Density Swaging Machine (Navy)
Abstract
When landing aboard an aircraft carrier, an aircraft is recovered by its tailhook engaging the arresting cable gear on the carrier flight deck. The arresting gear cable connects to an engine below the flight deck in order to absorb 50 million foot-pounds of energy. Both the cable and engine are Critical Safety Items where failure could likely mean loss of aircraft and life. During each cable replacement, sailors must attach a terminal to the cable aboard ship. The current process requires sailors to pour molten zinc at 1000 degrees Fahrenheit into a socket on a moving ship, exposing the sailors to toxic materials and noxious gases. The primary outputs and efficiencies to be demonstrated in the project are: (1) the High-Density Swaging Machine replaces the current process by pressing the terminal onto the cable. It will produce 2200 tons of pressing force in a foot-print small enough to be viable aboard ship, eliminating a risk of injury and long-term health to personnel; and (2) avoids RDT&E and Operations and Support costs worth over $5.600 million.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 53efdac54ec83b9ef560e0bf42fb3e95