Overview
Integration of Scanning & Laser Peening Technology in Shipyards (2018-440)
Project Team:
- Hepburn and Sons, LLC
- LSP Technologies
- Siemens
- NSWC-Carderock
- Mentoring Solutions
April 2017- March 2018
NSRP ASE INVESTMENT: $1.2M
INDUSTRY INVESTMENT: $986K
OBJECTIVE:
The primary goal of this project is to research, develop, and certify laser peen forming capabilities with the purpose of applying them to shipbuilding materials to form compound curvatures in parts without adding heat and mitigate cracking due to sensitization. These magnesium-based aluminum alloys, when exposed to tensile stresses, a corrosive environment, and heat over time, undergo a phenomenon called sensitization in which alloyed magnesium migrates to the grain boundaries of the material, and this results in a catastrophic degradation of material properties.
SUMMARY:
The scope of this project is focused on maturing the scanning and laser peening of aluminum expanding upon the RA 15-01, Foundational Technology for Scanning & Laser Peening in Shipyards. This project will procure a more mature and better scanner that is production representative, integrate that scanner in with the laser peening capability and mature the laser peen forming capability with algorithm developments.
KEY DELIVERABLES / BENEFITS
- Mature Scanning and Laser Peen Forming Aluminum
- Develop NAVSEA Certification Plan
- Demonstrate a scalable scanning capability
- Measure effectiveness of laser peening to mitigate sensitization in 5000 series Aluminum
POINT OF CONTACT: Forrest Parker | Hepburn and Sons, LLC | forrest.parker@hepburnandsons.com