Developing intelligent control for spray forming processes

A program to implement real-time sensing and control of spray-formed preform conditions is underway at the David Taylor Research Center. The objective of the program is to develop sensor and control technologies that can be used to monitor critical process conditions and modify operational parameters during the spray forming of components. This task has been divided into two phases. The first entails developing sensors and controls to monitor and correct simulated process conditions. In the second phase, the selected sensors and controls will be combined with actuators, thereby integrating research center equipment and enabling the production of nonsymmetric preforms.