Safe Robotic Handling of Energetic Materials

Manufacturing processes of energetic materials are labor intensive and involve several non-linear, non-concurrent steps which add to the cycle time and logistical burden to produce in-process material as well as finished pieces. In the meantime, manufacturing of energetic materials is inherently dangerous to the operators. Failure to properly recognize unsafe conditions and to take steps to mitigate the hazards can result in unexpected circumstances that can, and do, result in injury or death.  This project will develop and demonstrate the technologies needed to safely fill and maintain the level of energetic material based on the current manual operation at the Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense.