User-Centered Design Applied to USAF Civil Engineering Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tools and Jigs

摘要

This research employed a user-centered design process to examine the application of additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate tools and jigs in USAF civil engineering (CE) operations. Within this research, numerous parts were designed and printed for use within CE operations, rapidly evolving the design based upon user feedback. The results of the part testing and the resultant surveys indicate that AM can impact the daily operations of a CE unit, improving operational effectiveness. Further, the research determined that AM has reached a point that the integration of AM into strategically coordinated units, along with proper education and training, can be beneficial for the CE career field. However, this research raises questions regarding the dissemination and rapid adoption of successful designs across DoD operations, without creating burdensome evaluation methods or proliferating an overwhelming number of less than ideal designs.