XM194 Gun Mount Shield: Processing in a Female Tool Utilizing Embedded Sensors for Process Control

摘要

This report addresses the use of U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and industry technologies to prototype the XMl94 gun mount shield. The prototyping was done with novel ideas and techniques in mind. It was used as an advanced technology demonstrator for sensor-based process control. First, a brief description of the XM194 gun mount shield is given. Second, Seemann's Composite Resin Infasion Molding Process (SCRIMP) was used as a fabrication process, which is possible through the establishment of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with SCRIMP Systems, Inc. Third, the state-of- the-art Sensors Mounted as Roving Threads (SMARTweave) system is detailed, along with the sensor-based control methodology utilized in the process. Fourth, the successful processing of the XMl94 gun mount shield is illustrated. Finally, several possibilities for future sensor process and process control work are discussed.