Thermal Spray and Surface Preparation Robotics, Shipboard Applications

Thermal Spray and Surface Preparation Robotics, Shipboard Applications is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Naval Research Laboratory for information and planning purposes only. No awards will be made from the responses to this announcement. This is not a commitment to fund any effort submitted in response to this request. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the development and submission of materials in response to this request. With the addition of vertical landing (VL) aircraft operations (e.g., F-35B, Joint Strike Fighter) aboard Navy vessels, the Fleet is presented with new challenges. These VL aircrafts impart a significant heat load to the deck. The heat load rapidly degrades the traditional coating system used on flight decks within only a few landings. This issue of heat-induced degradation has since been addressed with the identification of a thermal spray coating. Since identification, the thermal spray has been applied to a Navy flight deck and has performed flawlessly. The drawback, however, is that the current application process/procedures are too slow and cumbersome to be viable for widespread use within the Fleet. The Navy is searching for robotic technology that can abrasive blast (surface preparation) and thermal spray wire nonskid technology. The following are noted performance parameters for the robotic system(s) to meet Navy needs for minimum shipboard application requirements: Abrasive Blasting o Abrasive surface preparation using 16 mesh aluminum oxide grit o Surface preparation must meet SSPC-SP 10 (near white metal) and achieve an average surface profile depth of 4.5 mils or greater Thermal Spray Application o Thermal spray 1/8in diameter wire via the twin-wire-arc method o Minimize the heat input to the deckplate during thermal spray application Robotic Operations o Capable of operating in an industrial/dusty environment o Thermal spray and abrasive blasting equipment shall have the ability to be hoisted/transported onto the deckplate o Ability to move from one application zone to another while on the deckplate/flightdeck without the aid of external support equipment (e.g. crane, forklift) o A minimum combined surface preparation and thermal spray application rate of 70 sq ft/hr In concert with the above performance requirements, the Navy has also established goals which will govern the development options. These are established with the intent of creating a working prototype available for field application by March 2013. These supplementary goals include a system capable of the following: o Modification or adjustment for application sizes varying from 500 ft2 to 80,000 ft2 o A minimized operational/equipment footprint on the deckplate o Monitoring blast nozzle and thermal spray head standoff distance o Programmable for the purpose of navigating around aircraft tie downs, lights, and other deck protrusions o Minimal setup time and spot-to-spot relocation/movement o Recovering abrasive blast media and dust from the deckplate prior to thermal spray application In general, the goal is to improve the application rate for both the blasting and thermal spraying using a portable robotic system. Collaboration and teaming between material/process developers and manufacturers is encouraged to achieve the technical goals and manufacturing capacity. Submissions This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of NRL to acquire any product or services. The NRL does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested. Submission of a response to this RFI is voluntary. The voluntary submission of a response to this RFI shall not obligate the NRL to pay or entitle the submitter to any compensation. All information and data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be protected as such. Technology maturity and manufacturing capability shall be included. Each source should also provide a two (2) page maximum resume or curriculum vitae for the Principal Investigator. Responses shall be transmitted by email to stephanie.laughlin@nrl.navy.mil in either Microsoft Word or pdf format. All responses shall be received on or before 27 August 2012, 12 Noon, Eastern Time. If paper copies are sent, they must be received at 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375-5320, Attn: Stephanie Laughlin, Code 3220.SN. The package should be marked with the RFI number, due date and time. The U.S. Postal Service continues to irradiate letters, flats, Express and Priority Mail with stamps for postage and other packages with stamps for postage destined to government agencies in the ZIP Code ranges 202 through 205. Due to potential delays in receiving mail, offerors are encouraged to use alternatives to the mail when submitting proposals. Other business opportunities for NRL are available at our website http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/rfplist.htm.