DOD announce awards
Adjust font size:
Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 12 Dec 2003 16:23
The fifth annual Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award was presented to the Laser Additive Manufacturing and Laser Shock Peening (LSP) initiatives on Dec. 2 at the Defense Manufacturing Conference, Washington, D.C.
The award recognizes Defense and private sector individuals responsible for developing innovative manufacturing processes that improve the affordability, cycle time, readiness and availability of weapon systems and components for warfighter needs.
The Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) team, consisting of representatives from Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, Pratt and Whitney, AeroMet Corp., Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Co., Northrop Grumman and MTS Systems Corp., was recognized for developing and implementing an innovative manufacturing process that has given birth to a new industry.
The process is based on stereolithography, utilizing software to convert a computer-assisted data file to a sliced format, with parts built one layer at a time, enabling manufacturing-on-demand. LAM was applied to aluminum F-15 Strike Eagle pylon ribs that were failing prematurely. Action in the Iraq war depleted the remaining inventory. Ship sets made from titanium replaced the failed aluminum components in only two months, meeting the surge demand for aircraft mission availability, improving safety and extending the pylon part life by a factor of five.
LSP uses a high-energy laser pulse to impart an intense shock wave into the surface of metal parts, generating compressive stresses which greatly improve fatigue properties and toughness. Implementation on turbine engine airfoils has reduced maintenance costs, improved reliability and safety, resulting in increased operational availability of combat aircraft.
Application to engine blades for the B-1B Lancer, F-16 Falcon and F/A-22 Raptor has avoided over $59 million in costs. The technology is being evaluated for transmission gears, turbine engine blades in tanks and other Army ground vehicles and aircraft landing gear components.
Comments on this story
click here to add a comment
You must be registered & logged in to add comments
already have an account and just want to login?
Related Content
Guest Editorial: Checklist - Seven Recommendations for Improved Profits
by Abbott A. Imberman, PhD, Professor of...
more…
FKI LOGISTEX OPENS NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION CENTER (TEC)
(St. Louis, Missouri, USA: July 10, 2007) FKI...
more…
Guess selects the tradecard platformand SourceView suite to optimize global trade
NEW YORK, July 10, 2007 – TradeCard Inc., the...
more…
Kimberly-Clark Professional Crosses Final Touchless Frontier With Introduction of First Electronic Bath Tissue Dispenser
ROSWELL, Ga. (July 9, 2007) – Kimberly-Clark...
more…
Boeing Celebrates the Premiere of the 787 Dreamliner
EVERETT, Wash., July 08, 2007 -- Today, Boeing...
more…
no comments yet...