PROJECT TITLE: Aerospace Model Maker System
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The proposed Sanders Aerospace ModelMaker (AMM) system provides an innovative rapid prototyping method of fabricating aerospace wind tunnel test models that dramatically increases instrumentation effectiveness with reduced complexity, cost and construction time. The AMM uses an in-situ layered deposition process to build ceramic test models that withstand high temperatures and have fully integrated sensor instrumentation interconnectivity features. The process uses a novel variation of proven low temperature, co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology employed successfully by the microelectronics industry. The AMM system enables Layered fabrication with CNC precision, accuracy, surface smoothness, and high fidelity scale test models of up to eighteen inches. The finite layer resolution allows detailed, high fidelity construction. Composite fabrication enables the body core, low thermal conductivity outer surface, sensor interconnect wiring, and hollow cavity structures as an integral model. The integrated instrumentation wiring can be used to form temperature sensing thermocouples by coating the model with nickel (the thermocouple is formed at the junction of the wire and the nickel) or used in pairs of conductors to connect resistive thermal detectors (RTD's) at up to 128 selected test points. The AMM will revolutionize the aerospace wind tunnel test model construction process and reduce model cost, complexity, and construction time.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The U.S. Aero-Space Technology Enterprise must develop new tools, techniques, and technologies to reduce the aerospace vehicle development cycle by one-half. To ensure continued leadership in this multi-billion dollar industry, the U.S. will benefit by reducing the cost, complexity, and time to fabricate high fidelity wind tunnel with the use of the Sanders Aerospace ModelMaker system. This dual use technology will also find use in high temperature remote sensing for aerospace, industrial and chemical processing applications.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Al Hastbacka
Sanders Design International
Elm Street, PO Box 550
Wilton , NH 03086 - 0550
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR
Sanders Design International
Elm Street, PO Box 550
Wilton , NH 03086 - 0550