Strategy for DoD Manufacturing Science and Technology R and D in PrecisionFabrication

摘要

This report provides a strategy for DoD-sponsored RD applied to advancedmanufacturing processes. The strategy covers the precision fabrication processes of forming, material removal, heat and surface treatment, and joining. To meet the DoD objective of 'technology for affordability,' we recommend that RD be focused on flexible manufacturing, process modeling, and sensor-based process control. We conclude that overall DoD funding for RD applied to precision fabrication processes is disproportionately low. In addition to increasing the relative amount of precision fabrication RD funding, DoD needs to strike a balance between RD for military-unique requirements and that for broader, cost-reducing technologies. Manufacturing technology, Precision fabrication.