Browse Topic: Production

Items (8,202)
Related to traditional engineering materials, magnesium alloy-based composites have the potential for automobile applications and exhibit superior specific mechanical behavior. This study aims to synthesize the magnesium alloy (AZ61) composite configured with 0 wt%, 4 wt%, 8 wt%, and 12 wt% of silicon nitride micron particles, developed through a two-step stir-casting process under an argon environment. The synthesized cast AZ61 alloy matrix and its alloy embedded with 4 wt%, 8 wt%, and 12 wt% of Si3N4 are subjected to an abrasive water jet drilling/machining (AJWM) process under varied input sources such as the diameter of the drill (D), transverse speed rate (v), and composition of AZ61 composite sample. Influences of AJWM input sources on metal removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) are calculated for identifying the optimum input source factors to attain the best output responses like maximum MRR and minimum Ra via analysis of variant (ANOVA) Taguchi route with L16 design
Venkatesh, R.
ABSTRACT Given the complex nature of systems today, systems engineering’s primary focus is typically consumed with optimizing function and performance. This condition often causes producibility and cost to become an after-thought, leading to late, over budget production. Therefore an objective and relevant method is required to provide real-time feedback to system engineers relative to producibility and confidence that facilitates better systems design and programmatic decisions. This paper will discuss the use of producibility model metrics to score several key design elements for the creation of a single standardized producibility index (PI) to encourage engineers to improve their designs for producibility earlier in the development life-cycle. Additionally monitoring certain analysis activities to gauge the level of accuracy in the producibility model will provide metrics to create a single standardized producibility confidence index (PCI) that can be used to mitigate risk in
Hadley, James R.McCarthy, Daniel J.
ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the application of a novel Additive Molding™ process in the design optimization of a combat vehicle driver’s seat structure. Additive Molding™ is a novel manufacturing process that combines three-dimensional design flexibility of additive manufacturing with a high-volume production rate compression molding process. By combining the lightweighting benefits of topology optimization with the high strength and stiffness of tailored continuous carbon fiber reinforcements, the result is an optimized structure that is lighter than both topology-optimized metal additive manufacturing and traditional composites manufacturing. In this work, a combat vehicle driver’s seatback structure was optimized to evaluate the weight savings when converting the design from a baseline aluminum seat structure to a carbon fiber / polycarbonate structure. The design was optimized to account for mobility loads and a 95-percentile male soldier, and the result was a reduction in
Hart, Robert JPerkins, J. ScottBlinzler, BrinaMiller, PatrickShen, YangDeo, Ankit
ABSTRACT The key to vehicle survivability in a combat or otherwise hostile environment is the capability to quickly resupply critical parts. Rapid production of hard to obtain components within the theater of operations can significantly increase the availability of combat vehicles or other equipment. Additive manufacturing enables significant reduction in lead time for these components and thus offers an enhancement of combat capability. However, AM operations have specific environmental and support requirements in order to function. In partnership with CESI and CAPSA, AddUp has developed a unique concept of a “modular plant” called the Anywhere Additive Factory. The unit can be adjusted to meet the manufacturing requirements and volumes needed, while also being easily dismantled and moved to another location. Citation: S. Pexton, “The FlexCare Deployable Additive Manufacturing Printing Facility”, In Proceedings of the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium
Pexton, Sean
ABSTRACT This paper discusses the packaging characteristics of a family of power-packs for military land vehicles in the 21st century. 3 classes of vehicles are considered: light vehicles (300 - 600 Hp), medium weight vehicles (600-1000 Hp) and heavy vehicles (1000-1500 Hp). The paper highlights that a common bore engine approach provides both very good performance and a very compact power-pack. 2 different engine styles are examined. The results are expected to be applicable for a spectrum of modernized engine platforms that would employ a common bore engine approach. The approach offers many product development and production advantages, including lower development and tooling costs, and reduced product inventory needs, lead times, development costs, in addition to reduced product development risk. Various trade study parameters are considered in addition to engine power. Power-pack configurations based on a common bore approach shows significant commonality advantages and
Kacynski, KenBauman, AndreasJohnson, S. Arnie
ABSTRACT The Digital Engineering Environment is new and rapidly changing. It is a complex system with many tools, databases and views. Organizations struggle with how to access their maturity in a new environment. This paper discusses the different aspects of determination of the maturity of architecture model within a Digital Engineering Environment. The intended audience is all levels of system engineers. It will address the characteristics of maturity from content, size and usefulness of architecture models. The goal of this paper is to provide system architecture with tools, process and insight into gaining more productivity and value from architecture models
Van Brocklin, Keith L
ABSTRACT The United States Army is leveraging Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) methods to solve both operational and tactical readiness gaps. AdvM includes not only Additive Manufacturing (AM), but also traditional manufacturing capabilities in the field and at Army production facilities. The Tank-Armaments and automotive Command (TACOM) and the Ground Vehicles Systems Center (GVSC) Materials-AdvM Branch have developed a strategy of five critical path key words oriented on three Lines of Effort (LOE) that enables a disciplined process to deliver final use qualified parts manufactured by the Organic Industrial Base (OIB) as an alternate source of supply that will improve readiness of TACOM’s combat and tactical wheeled fleets. Additionally, an alternate critical path has been developed to provide limited use parts for Battle Damage and Repair (BDAR). Citation: P. Burton, N. Kott, A. Kruz, A. Batjer, “Path to 450 Parts Qualified for Advanced Manufacturing”, In Proceedings of the Ground
Burton, PhilKott, N. JoeKruz, AndrewBatjer, Ashley
ABSTRACT The Applied Science and Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America), Ingersoll Machine Tool (Ingersoll), MELD Manufacturing (MELD), Siemens Digital Industries (Siemens), The American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMII), and the US Army CCDC-GVSC have partnered to show the feasibility of fabricating very large metal parts using a combination of additive and subtractive manufacturing technologies. The Army seeks new manufacturing technology to support supply chain strategy objectives to replace costly inventories and reduce lead times. While additive manufacturing (AM) has demonstrated production of metallic parts for military applications, the scale of these demonstrations is much smaller than required for large vehicle components and/or complete vehicle hull structures. Leveraging AM for large scale applications requires enhancements in the size, speed, and precision of the current commercially available state-of-the-art equipment
Rodriguez, Ricardo X.Wells, CorrineCarter, Robert H.LaLonde, Aaron D.Goffinski, Curtis W.Cox, Chase D.Bell, Tim S.Kott, Norbert J.Gorey, Jason S.Czech, Peter A.Hoffmann, KlausHolmes, Larry (LJ) R.
Abstract Converting vehicles from conventional manned operations to unmanned supervised operations has been slow to adoption in many industries due to cost, complexity (requiring more highly skilled personnel) and perceived lower productivity. Indeed, hazardous operations (military, nuclear cleanup, etc.) have seen the most significant implementations of robotics based solely on personnel safety. Starting in 2005, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has assumed a leading role in promoting the use of robotics in unexploded ordnance (UXO) range remediation. Although personnel safety is the primary component of the USACE mission, increasing productivity while reducing overall cost is an extremely important driver behind their program. To achieve this goal demands that robotic range clearance equipment be affordable, easy to install on rental equipment, durable and reliable (to minimize down-time), low or no maintenance, and easy to learn / operate by the same individuals who would
Selfridge, BobHewitt, Gregory
Summary This paper discusses the latest techniques in vehicle modeling and simulation to support ground vehicle performance and fuel economy studies, enable system design optimization, and facilitate detailed control system design. The Autonomie software package, developed at Argonne National Laboratory, is described with emphasis on its capabilities to support Model-in-the-Loop, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Component-in-the-Loop (CIL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations. Autonomie supports Model-Based Systems Engineering, which is growing in use as ground vehicles become more sophisticated and complex, with many more subsystems interacting within the vehicle and the environmental conditions in which the vehicles operate becoming more challenging and varied. With the advent of hybrid powertrains, the additional dimension of vehicle architecture has become one of the design variables that must be considered. This complexity results in the need for a simulation tool that is capable of
Michaels, LarryHalbach, ShaneShidore, NeerajRousseau, Aymeric
ABSTRACT Integration risk differentiates from other program risk in that it always involves interfaces between various systems or subsystems. The level of integration required is different depending on the phase of the Acquisition Life Cycle (i.e. Materiel Solution Analysis Phase, Technology Development Phase, Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase, Production and Deployment Phase and Operation and Support Phase). This paper focuses on the process used to assess the integration risks of integrating various technologies or subsystems into a vehicle platform. The process presented provides a step by step instruction on how to perform an integration risk assessment. A new Integration Readiness Level (IRL) rating system has been developed by the TARDEC System Engineering and Integration Group to help acquisition vehicle programs as well as science and technology teams to evaluate the health of their technology or subsystem integration into their vehicles. The rating system is
Tzau, Jerome
ABSTRACT The Bradley Combat Vehicle Motor Chatter case study focuses on one aspect of a combat vehicle program, specifically, responding to a vehicle production situation where combat vehicles produced with in-spec components and subsystems exhibit out-of-spec and failing system behavior. This typically results in an extended production line-down or line-degraded situation lasting for several quarters until the problem can be diagnosed, fixed, validated and verified. Subsequently, adequate quantities of the modified or replaced sub-systems must be put back into the production flow. The direct and indirect costs of an occurrence like this in peace-time are measured in the 10’s to 100’s of Millions of dollars. The schedule, program and perception impact to the vehicle platform can be potentially devastating. In war-time all of these impacts are magnified greatly by the added risk to soldiers’ lives. This paper describes the Bradley Combat Vehicle Motor Chatter case study and the
Scheitrum, MarkWillhoft, MarkSmith, AlanDavis, Annette
Abstract On the Mobile Detection Assessment Response System (MDARS) production program, General Dynamics Robotics Systems (GDRS) and International Logistics Systems (ILS), are working with the US Army’s Product Manager – Force Protection Systems (PM-FPS) to reduce system costs throughout the production lifecycle. Under this process, GDRS works through an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) process to improve the reliability and maintainability of subsystem designs with the goal of making the entire system more producible at a lower cost. In addition, GDRS recommends substitutions of Government requirements that are cost drivers with those that reduce cost impact but do not result in reduced capability for the end user. This paper describes the production lifecycle process for the MDARS system and recommends future considerations for fielding of complex autonomous robotic systems
Frederick, BrianVirtz, PaulGrinnell, Michal
Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques, particularly Fusion Deposition Modeling (FDM), have received considerable interest due to their capacity to create complex structures using a diverse array of materials. The objective of this study is to improve the process control and efficiency of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) for Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) material by creating a predictive model using an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The study investigates the impact of FDM process parameters, including layer height, nozzle temperature, and printing speed, on key printing attributes such as tensile strength, flexibility, and surface quality. Several experimental trials are performed to gather data on these parameters and their corresponding printing attributes. The ANFIS predictive model is built using the collected dataset to forecast printing characteristics by analyzing input process parameters. The ANFIS model utilizes the learning capabilities of neural networks
Pasupuleti, ThejasreeNatarajan, ManikandanD, PalanisamyA, GnanarathinamUmapathi, DKiruthika, Jothi
The EN24 and EN42 materials were machined by the electric discharge machine (EDM). The study aimed to optimize the input variables for the multiple outputs, such as metal removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness. The machining of the metal is essential to analyze the surface quality and the production rate. The MRR is a prediction of the production rate and surface roughness resembling the quality of the surface. The input variables were current (A), pulse on time (ton), and pulse duty factor (T). The three levels of current were 3A, 6A, and 9A. The ton time was selected as 30 μs, 50 μs, and 70 μs. The pulse duty factors were selected as 4, 5, and 6. The Taguchi optimization techniques are used to optimize process parameters. The L9 orthogonal array was selected for the process. ANOVA analysis was employed to check the rank of the input parameters relative to the output. The maximum MRR were at 9A, 70 μs, and 4 duty factor for the EN24. The best MRR were at 9A
Sahu, Kapil DevSingh, RajnishChauhan, Akhilesh Kumar
This specification covers metric aircraft quality spacers for use as positioners for tubes, flat washers for use as load spreaders, galling protection of adjacent surfaces and or material compatibility, and key or tab washers for use as locks for bolts, nuts, and screws
E-25 General Standards for Aerospace and Propulsion Systems
Accurately predicting system output performance is essential for manufacturing system design. However, traditional approaches that rely solely on the reliability of individual workstations may lead to inaccuracies, especially for a serial production line that includes several workstations with low reliability. This study investigates how prediction inaccuracies arise from intricate interactions among workstations, as revealed through discrete event simulation (DES). To resolve this issue, a novel methodology is proposed, leveraging DES and dual regression analyses to develop an adjustment factor. This paper details the application of this methodology across a range of reliability levels (85–99%) and workstation counts (5–10), conducting sensitivity analyses and validating the results. This approach offers a practical tool for improving the efficiency and precision of a system output prediction in design contexts. Additionally, the paper discusses the methodology’s limitations and
Tang, Herman
Contrary to what you may have heard, Americans are buying more EVs than ever. But they tend to like 'em big. After production delays due to software development issues - a problem that continues to plague automakers from Volkswagen to General Motors - Volvo's EX90 will look to lure families who live for three-row luxury SUVs. Based on a recent media drive in Newport Beach, California, Volvo may still have some work to do. The twin-motor EX90 did impress us with its 510 hp (380 kW), confident handling, leading-edge safety and sparkling high-resolution displays. But a software glitch dinged our test car when a section of its 14.5-inch (37 cm) center screen blanked out. Other journalists reported issues with a phone-based digital key that briefly left one driver stranded when it wouldn't connect with the Volvo. This is another reason I never rely on an automaker's digital key and always ask for a hard backup
Ulrich, Lawrence
Mi Rancho has been delighting customers with authentic and fresh tortillas, chips, and salsas since its establishment in 1939. Originally founded as a grocery store in Oakland, CA, the business has evolved and grown into a food provider for large nation-wide retail partners. To enable their continued growth, Mi Rancho recently partnered with Formic to introduce robotic automation to their food processing and packaging production operations
High productivity, low manufacturing costs, and high workpiece quality: these are the key factors that deliver sustainability, profitability, and competitive edge for industrial manufacturers. Reliable machine monitoring yields valuable real-time insights into ongoing processes; it is the basis for dependable, productive, and reproducible manufacturing and it helps machine operators to reach well-founded decisions on both short- and long-term improvements. This technology can even capture anomalies in highly dynamic machining processes, so users can respond instantly to ensure high productivity, decrease scrap rates, and prolong tool lifetimes. Thanks to all these advantages, continuous machine and process monitoring based on suitable sensor technology is a critical success factor in today’s manufacturing industry
Today, almost all passenger vehicles are equipped with Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) systems to provide thermal comfort to occupants. To enhance cabin cooling down rate, two approaches are possible viz. increasing the MAC system capacity or reducing heat ingress into the vehicle cabin. The first approach is likely to have a negative impact on energy efficiency. The latter approach considers the deployment of alternate passive cabin cooling technologies. Among these, the deployment of uniquely developed coatings on metal, plastic and glass surfaces of the cabin is one option. The assessment of such coatings is usually done only at severe ambient conditions (>40°C), which may not be sufficient. These coatings need to be validated across all climatic seasons of the year, for assessing their effectiveness on passenger thermal comfort. The current work along with simulation studies, takes into account additional parameters such as the ‘feeling of hotness’ when one enters a hot-soaked cabin
Deshmukh, GaneshKulkarni, Shridhar DilipraoVarma, MohitJaybhay, SambhajiKapoor, SangeetTilekar, Pravin
This standard establishes requirements for Process Control Methods to sustain product conformity. This includes training, selection of control methods, analysis and improvement of their effectiveness, and subsequent monitoring and control. It applies to all controls documented in the Control Plan. This will include but is not limited to Key Characteristics (KCs) and Critical Items (CIs). This standard aligns and collaborates with the requirements of AS9100, AS9103, AS9145, AS13000, AS13002, AS13003, and AS13004. Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items and Standard Catalogue Items (that neither the customer nor supplier hold design authority for) are not included
G-22 Aerospace Engine Supplier Quality (AESQ) Committee
The Software Production Factory (SPF) is a cyber physical construct of computers, hardware and software integrated together to serve as an ideation and rapid prototyping environment. SPF is a virtual dynamic environment to analyze requirements, architecture, and design, assess trade-offs, test Ground Vehicle development artifacts such as structural and behavioral features, and deploy system artifacts and operational qualifications. SPF is utilized during the product development as well as during system operations and support. The white paper describes the components of the SPF to build relevant Ground Vehicle Rapid Prototyping (GVRP) models in accordance with the model-centric digital engineering process guidelines. The factory and the processes together ensure that the artifacts are produced as specified. The processes are centered around building, maintaining, and tracing single source of information from source all the way to final atomic element of the built system
Thukral, AjayGriffin, Kevin W.Kanon, Robert J.
This document provides guidance for oxygen cylinder installation on commerical aircraft based on airworthiness requirements, and methods practiced within aerospace industry. It covers considerations for oxygen systems from beginning of project phase up to production, maintenance, and servicing. The document is related to requirements of DOT-approved oxygen cylinders, as well to those designed and manufactured to standards of ISO 11119. However, its basic rules may also be applicable to new development pertaining to use of such equipment in an oxygen environment. For information regarding oxygen cylinders itself, also refer to AIR825/12
A-10 Aircraft Oxygen Equipment Committee
Today, advancements in industrial laser cleaning automation show great promise in boosting productivity and safety when rust and contaminant removal or surface preparation is required for higher volumes of components and equipment
In the medical device production environment, device packaging and sterilization is vital. The same level of rigorous quality controls and regulations that affect the devices themselves are also extended to their packaging. The mechanical and container closure integrity [CCI] evaluations of medical device packaging requires significant testing performed at multiple points throughout the commercialization and production processes
The use of aluminum to manufacture injection molds aims to maximize the productivity of plastic parts, as its alloys present higher heat conductivity than tool steel alloys. However, it is essential to accurately control the injection molding parameters to assure that the design tolerances are achieved in the final molded plastic part. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the use of aluminum alloys in high-volume production processes. It delves into the correlation between the type of material used for mold production (steel or aluminum) and the thickness of the injected part, and how these variables affect the efficiency of the process in terms of the quantity and quality of the produced parts. The findings suggest that replacing steel molds with aluminum alloys significantly reduces injection molding cycle time, the difference ranging from 57.1% to 72.5%. Additionally, the dimensional accuracy and less distortion provided by aluminum have improved product quality. In case of
Marconi, PedroAmarante, EvandroFerreira, CristianoBeal, ValterRibeiro Júnior, Armando
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) establishes requirements applicable to metal stock that is ordered and produced in accordance with an SAE Aerospace Material Specification (AMS). Topics include producer requirements, distributor requirements, size and grain orientation nomenclature, and purchaser ordering information to distributors. Requirements of this document have been developed to address titanium and titanium alloys, aluminum and aluminum alloys, carbon and alloy steels, and corrosion- and heat-resistant alloys
AMS G Titanium and Refractory Metals Committee
This article presents a new approach that integrates and balances cycle time and reliability considerations during system design to enhance manufacturing system capability, with direct applicability to automotive and high-volume manufacturing. The method addresses system throughput capability in three steps without complex mathematical modeling. The steps are: (1) managing workload cycle times, (2) considering real-world operational availability, and (3) achieving capability balance. Through analytical estimation and discrete event simulation of an example manufacturing system, this approach’s application shows a substantial increase in throughput capacity compared to a traditional workload-based design. This throughput-centric design approach, serving as a valuable tool for manufacturing system synthesis aimed at maximizing throughput, can apply to volume production systems to enhance throughput capacity through system design
Tang , Herman
This document establishes the requirements for the sequencing of processes relating to parts fabricated from 300M or 4340 modified steel heat treated to, or to be heat treated to, 270,000 psi (1860 MPa) minimum ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and higher
AMS E Carbon and Low Alloy Steels Committee
The integration of collaborative robots, or cobots, into manufacturing has revolutionized traditional processes, offering an unprecedented blend of precision, productivity, and safety. Known for their effectiveness in activities from palletizing to welding, cobots are emerging as invaluable assets for activities involving material removal like sanding, grinding and polishing, relieving human workers from arduous and risky tasks
Aitiip is a leading Spanish research and development institute and serves companies in the aeronautics, automation, industrial, and packaging sectors. The institute possesses strong platforms for the characterization of materials and processes and is known as a powerful integrator of technologies, which is constantly on the lookout for the next transformative technology. A year ago, Aitiip implemented an NXE 400 industrial resin 3D printer platform from Nexa3D to explore integrations of additive manufacturing and injection molding. Nexa3D is the Ventura, California-based provider of high-speed industrial printing technologies whose portfolio continues to grow, reflected in its acquisition of Essentium, one of the world's most well-known providers of extrusion 3D printing, earlier this year. Liebherr is one of the world's largest providers of a variety of industrial goods, services and products. Aerospace and transportation systems is one of 13 different product segments supplied by the
To improve battery performance and production, Penn State researchers and collaborators have developed a new fabrication approach that could make for more efficient batteries that maintain energy and power levels
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) has gained widespread usage in aviation, aerospace, and die manufacturing due to its exceptional capacity for producing intricate metal components of highly complex geometries. Nevertheless, the instability inherent in the SLM process frequently results in irregularities in the quality of the fabricated components. As a result, this hinders the continuous progress and broader acceptance of SLM technology. Addressing these challenges, in-process quality control strategies during SLM operations have emerged as effective remedies for mitigating the quality inconsistencies found in the final components. This study focuses on utilizing optical emission spectroscopy and IR thermography to continuously monitor and analyze the SLM process within the powder bed, intending to strengthen process control and minimize defects. Optical emission spectroscopy is employed to study the real-time interactions between the laser and powder bed, melt pool dynamics, material
Raju, BenjaminKancherla, Kishore BabuB S, DakshayiniRoy Mahapatra, Debiprosad
Light is used in many ways in sensor technology for high precision applications. For example, white light technology can be used for confocal chromatic sensors and interferometers that can make extremely precise and accurate measurements of distance and thickness down to the sub-nanometer range. This makes them suitable for production monitoring in different industries, including semiconductor fabrication. However, even though both sensor types work with white light technology, the two measurement methods differ significantly, although they complement each other
Ultrahigh-strength steels are traditionally defined as those steels with a minimum yield strength of approximately 1380 MPa. Notable examples of steels in this category include AISI 4130, AISI 4140, and AISI 4340. In many cases, maximizing the performance of these alloys requires a rather complex approach that involves a series of tempering, annealing, or stress-relieving treatments. As a result, they are produced using a variety of traditional processing methods such as casting, rolling, extrusion, or forging. These traditional methods — combined with the ultrahigh strength of the steels — often meant that the production of complex, near-net shape parts of high quality was quite difficult. In addition, these production methods often entailed repetitive treatments or long production cycles, both of which resulted in elevated production costs
Medical component manufacturing must meet stringent regulations for quality and product consistency, making process control a critical issue with materials, machining, assembly and packaging. This is vitally important with fluid dispensing applications used in the assembly of medical devices, point-of-care testing and near-patient testing products, medical wearables and other life sciences applications, which require accurate and consistent deposition of fluid amounts of UV-cure adhesives, silicones and other fluids in their manufacture
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the field of parallel kinematics was viewed as being potentially transformational in manufacturing, having multiple potential advantages over conventional serial machine tools and robots. Many prototypes were developed, and some reached commercial production and implementation in areas such as hard material machining and particularly in aerospace manufacturing and assembly. There is some activity limited to niche and specialist applications; however, the technology never quite achieved the market penetration and success envisaged. Yet, many of the inherent advantages still exist in terms of stiffness, force capability, and flexibility when compared to more conventional machine structures. This chapter will attempt to identify why parallel kinematic machines (PKMs) have not lived up to the original excitement and market interest and what needs to be done to rekindle that interest. In support of this, a number of key questions and issues have been identified
Muelaner, JodyWebb, Philip
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