Tunable Arming Mechanisms via EDM Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MEMS manufacturing techniques for safety and arming mechanisms in munitions are expensive, labor-intensive, and limited in producing high-reliability, cost-effective, and tunable designs suitable for mass production.
Innovation Solution
The use of electronic discharge machining (EDM) to precision-manufacture arming sliders and setback sliders with adjustable parameters, allowing for adaptation to various munition types and launch conditions, while utilizing readily available materials and simplifying the design to reduce complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional MEMS manufacturing techniques (photolithography, X-ray LIGA, UV LIGA) are used to manufacture safety and arming mechanisms, then miniaturization and reduced volumetric size are achieved, but manufacturing cost and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex photolithography and chemical etching processes with traditional mechanical machining methods (CNC milling, turning, grinding). This substitution eliminates the need for expensive semiconductor fabrication equipment and specialized chemical processes while maintaining the ability to produce miniaturized components with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from bottom-up additive/layer-by-layer construction (MEMS) to top-down subtractive machining. This parameter change in the manufacturing process enables the production of complex 3D geometries in a single piece without requiring multiple lithography layers or chemical etching steps, thereby reducing cost and labor.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional MEMS manufacturing techniques are used, then miniaturization is achieved, but production time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into standard, repeatable machining operations (milling, turning, grinding) that can be performed sequentially on conventional equipment. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently and executed efficiently, reducing total production time compared to the multi-step lithography process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary machining operations to create near-net-shape components that require minimal finishing. By pre-forming the basic geometry through rough machining before precision operations, the total production time is reduced while maintaining the miniaturized dimensions of the final component.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional MEMS manufacturing techniques are used, then miniaturization is achieved, but design flexibility and tunability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable and tunable features into the machined components, such as variable spring rates, adjustable masses, and configurable geometric parameters. These dynamic elements allow the miniaturized mechanism to be tuned for different applications and launch conditions, providing design flexibility that rigid lithography-based designs cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal, standardized components with configurable parameters that can be adapted to multiple munition types and applications. The same basic machined component design can be tuned through parameter changes (mass, spring rate, geometry) to serve different functions, enhancing versatility without requiring entirely different designs for each application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of high-reliability, low-cost, and tunable safety and arming mechanisms that can be used in a wide range of munitions, overcoming the limitations of conventional MEMS manufacturing methods.
Implementation Method 1
The use of electronic discharge machining (EDM) to precision-manufacture arming sliders and setback sliders
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile with a safe and arming device includes a tunable setback arming mechanism with an arming slider constrained and guided within a slider frame. The arming slider and slider frame cooperating to have a first safe position, a second intermediate position, and a third armed position. Components, such as the arming slider are manufactured by electronic discharge machining (EDM) to provide preforms on a work piece that can be further processed and ultimately assembled into tunable setback arming mechanisms. Various desired operating characteristics of the setback arming mechanism may be provided by adjusting and/or selecting specific parameters in the arming slider and readily adjusting same through machining and heat treating.