Application of Reel-to-Reel Processing to Slapper Detonator Fabrication

摘要

A unique line of reel-to-reel processing equipment is being developed to fabricate an integral detonator/cable assembly. A wide variety of custom designed reel-to-reel processing and assembly equipment supports this in-house capability at Mound. Processes have been established to manufacture the major slapper detonator components (bridges and cable-conductors), and most of the major operations can be performed on reels of 35-mm wide flexible circuit materials. This is possible because the images are placed in-line along the length of the film. Design concepts that show how the reel-to-reel approach could be extended to nearly all assembly operations have been established. These concepts provide for the fabrication of different detonator designs with minimal tooling changes. (ERA citation 09:026650)