N07-133 TITLE: Increasing Automation in the Shipbuilding Production Process

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: ACAT 1D, PMS 500 DDG 1000

OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative technologies that will increase the level of automation in common shipbuilding manufacturing processes. The focus of this topic is to reduce the complexity of the work and work content of the task. The solutions must be robust, user-friendly or autonomous, affordable and reasonably implementable in order to be substituted for current processes and be of significant value to the shipbuilding community.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships is leveraging the National Research Program (NSRP) to effect change across the non-nuclear surface shipbuilding, modernization and repair enterprise by coordinating with U. S. shipbuilders to adapt and implement "World Class" commercial best manufacturing practices. This topic seeks innovative scientific and engineering solutions to inefficiencies in long-standing design and engineering methods. This topic offers an opportunity to infuse new ideas/innovations into the smaller, domestic shipbuilding industry. Of particular interest are initiatives with a clear business case. Proposals should specifically describe the technology that will be applied to solve the problem, how it will be developed, what the estimated benefits will be and how it might be transitioned into the shipbuilding industry.

Proposals under this topic must address integration of the research areas identified. Efforts cited within each research area are illustrative only and proposals dealing with related efforts within each research area are also solicited.

1. Computerized methodologies to implement continuous process improvement techniques. Shipbuilding can benefits from this feedback, however are often limited by resources capable of collecting, analyzing and reporting available process data. Examples include, but are not limited to novel methodologies:
- To autonomously collect, classify data and assess the utility of work content involved in logistics and manufacturing processes
- Interactive work-site access to work instructions and best practices
- Practical affordability tools to provide rapid guidance on choosing fabrication alternatives and make-buy decisions
2. Advanced methods to automate common shipyard manufacturing tasks such as:
- Innovative tools to evaluated product acceptance based upon objective quality evidence requirements
(examples: Neural network modeling to automate digital radiographs reading/screening; autonomous, in-process noncontact
dimensional/feature monitoring)

Of particular interest are initiatives with a clear business case. Proposal should specifically describe the technology that will be applied to solve the problem, how it will be developed, what the specific benefit will be and how it might be transitioned into the shipbuilding industry. NSRP members are available to provide guidance and assistance in the identification of common issues and needs. Contact with these resources is encouraged both prior to proposal development and during any subsequent SBIR-related activity. Teaming with a NSRP member (or Government shipyard) is voluntary and will not be a factor in proposal selection.

PHASE I: Demonstrate feasibility for improvements being developed and also identify impact upon shipbuilding affordability. Include a first order Return-On-Investment (ROI) analysis for industry implementation and estimate potential Total Ownership Cost (TOC) reduction. Establish Phase II performance goals and key developmental milestones.

PHASE II: Finalize the design, as appropriate, and demonstrate a working prototype of the proposed system. Perform laboratory tests to validate the performance characteristics established in Phase I. Develop a detailed plan and method of implementation into a full-scale application.

PHASE III: Implement the Phase III plan developed in Phase II in coordination with the shipbuilding and repair industry.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The technology developed under this topic shall be directly applicable to current military and commercial shipbuilding operation and repair practices. The products developed should find wide use in most heavy industrial plant/processing facilities such as the power industry and will be marketable to the shipbuilding and repair industry.

REFERENCES: 1) NSRP ASE Strategic Investment Plan, available on line at http://www.nsrp.org
2) US Naval Shipyard information is available at http://www.shipyards.navy.mil
3) Anderson, B. et al, Shipyard Operational Improvement Through Process Management, Paper presented at the 1997 Ship Production Panel Annual Meeting
4) Computer Applications in the Automation of Shipyard Operation and Ship Design, VII: Proceedings of the Ifip Tc5/Wg 5.6 Seventh International Conference, ( 1991 : Rio de Janeiro, Protasio Martins, Claudio Barauna Vieira, Chengi Kuo (Editor)

KEYWORDS: automation; manufacturing; affordability; shipbuilding;

TPOC: William Palko
Phone: (202)781-1732
Fax: (202)781-4570
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Christipher Chiodo
Phone: (301)227-5025
Fax: (301)227-5576
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between April 12, 2007 and May 13, 2007, you may talk directly with the Topic Author(s) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting May 14, 2007, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (07.2 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the SBIR 07.2 topic under which they are proposing.

If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (866) 724-7457 or email weblink.