The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute has received funding from the US Navy to issue a NEW Technology Project Call that seeks to address specific needs in the shipbuilding industrial base (SIB). The projects will focus on improving first-time quality, reducing rework, increasing manufacturing throughput, and accelerating qualification for two critical processes: thick-section naval welding and wire directed energy deposition.
The ARM Institute is soliciting submissions that address specific needs of the US Navy shipbuilding industrial base. The projects will focus on improving first-time quality, reducing rework, increasing manufacturing throughput, and accelerating qualification for two critical processes: thick-section naval welding and wire directed energy deposition (DED).
- The first project will develop, demonstrate, and validate an adaptive welding system that uses edge-compute artificial intelligence (AI) to support multi-bead, multi-layer welding of thick-section joints. The system will compensate for common variations in joint fit-up, helping ensure consistent weld quality, reduce costly rework, and improve the resilience and efficiency of naval manufacturing.
- The second project will develop robust, commercial-grade in-process volumetric inspection technology for wire DED components. The system must operate during dwell times between layers, withstand high heat and rough surfaces, and provide reliable defect detection while the part is still being built. Its purpose is to reduce late-stage defect discovery, support real-time feedback and rework, lower final NDE costs, and shorten manufacturing lead times.