Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) II
NCMS Project #: 140211
Problem: To advance the state-of-the-art of the LENS technology which was successful on the LENS I project. Advancements will include new material characterizations, more complex geometries of the target parts, and the design of a LENS unit more suitable to the environment of a repair depot i.e. a production environment. End result will be far greater applications of this technology at the various depots resulting in greater cost avoidance.
Benefit: Anniston Army Depot has avoided $6M in costs the first year of the implementation of LENS from the Phase I project. Because the deliverable of LENS Phase II is a more production-worthy machine, cost avoidance exceeding $6M per year are anticipated.
Solution/Approach: The primary deliverable of LENS II will be a production-ready machine to be deployed to Keyport NUWC. ANAD had such good results from the Phase I machine, that they have ordered a second machine for their operations.
Impact on Warfighter: There will be increased readiness of the warfighter because the throughput of the depots will be enhanced due to the increased ability to repair parts previously unrepairable.
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Army (Anniston)
- U.S. Navy (NUWC Keyport)
- U.S. Navy (NADEP Cherry Point)
- U.S. Air Force (WR-ALC)
Industry Participation:
- Rolls Royce
- Boeing Rocketdyne
- Collins & Aikman
- Optomec
- NCMS