Date of Award

3-26-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Vhance V. Valencia, PhD.

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is an exciting new manufacturing technology that could have application to Air Force Civil Engineer (CE) operations. This research replicates a Large Area Maintenance Shelter (LAMS) baseplate design for ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM). Due to production problems the test section was not built as designed. Instead, a smaller block of material was submitted for evaluation. After the UAM build, ultrasonic inspection was conducted to identify anomalies in the test piece. The results of this proof of concept study indicate that UAM is not yet ready for CE expeditionary applications requiring a high degree of mechanical strength. The machine failed to build a baseplate of the same dimensions as would be required for use in the field. Further, the test specimen produced using UAM had a substantial number of anomalies throughout the entire y-axis of orientation. As the technology continues to improve, UAM may produce welds of sufficient strength to support expeditionary structural applications.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-15-M-158

DTIC Accession Number

ADA615546

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