Prototyping Systems for Research of Advanced Composite Structures in Undersea Environments
Abstract
During the past several years, the Dynamic Photomechanics Laboratory (DPML) at the University of Rhode Island (URI) has emerged as o,ne of the key university facilities in the country for conducting Navy-related research. Our lab is routinely used by the Naval Unde,rsea Warfare Center (NUWCDIVNPT) and Electric Boat General Dynamics (EB) employees for their graduate education and students conduct,ing Navy-related research. More than three dozen graduate students and numerous undergraduate students trained in our lab currently,work for Naval Warfare Centers and Navy-related industries. Our lab specializes in studying high-speed phenomena for underwater shoc,k applications and the air-blast response of structural components. In particular, several important research activities have been u,ndertaken to advance the understanding of structural composites for dynamic underwater and in-air Naval applications. Recently, our,lab has also taken the leadership role in establishing the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT) in collaborati,on with Electric Boat, the University of Connecticut, and in co-operation with the NUWCDIVNPT. The DPML has become the leader in res,earch and development in the Underwater Shock and Dynamic Response area of NIUVT. To continue to lead in undersea technology and dyn,amic loading applications for the Navy, it is imperative that our research facilities up to date and can address the complex researc,h needs of our Navy partners. To conduct navy-related cutting-edge research, we propose to purchase an advanced 3D printing system t,o design and develop novel composite structures for highly dynamic loading applications. This system will provide excellent means of, creating prototype structures for highly dynamic experimental studies as well as facilitate important research and education of the, upcoming field of 3D-printed composite structures. This versatile system can be used in support of all the experimental facilities,in the DPML, including the: shock tube apparatus, implosion tank facility, underwater explosion tank, ballistic range, Split-Hopkins,on Pressure Bar, drop-weight tower, and tube-in-tube implosion facility. Incorporating the 3D Printer will expand the capabilities o,f the DPML to address Navy-related challenges and maintain its status as one of the leading experimental labs in the country. For me,tallic components used in concert with polymer composites, specimen preparation is at present restricted to basic manufacturing on m,anual lathe or milling machines. We thus additionally propose acquiring a high-end CNC machine capable of fabricating most parts wit,hin minutes. These systems would also allow the manufacturing of complex composite geometries that may now be beyond our reach.The p,roposed 3D printing system is the Orbital S1 from Orbital Composites. This system is capable of printing a composite structure with,a 2+ m3 volume made from thermoplastics with continuous fiber reinforcement. In addition, the proposed CNC system is the VF-2SSYT fr,om Haas Automation, with a working envelope of 0.2 m3. The acquisition of these advanced manufacturing systems will drastically exte,nd the capabilities of this lab in many areas of research with close relevance to the interests of the US Navy. Furthermore, it will, enable the custom manufacturing of structures that are unique for undersea or surface operational environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212246
Entities
People
- Helio Matos
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Rhode Island