Shipyard Automation, Robotics Applications and Plans: Naval Sea Systems Command,

The Propeller Manufacturing Center of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard is responsible for the entire production process for the manufacture of submarine propellers. This includes the pattern development, propeller molding and casting, bulk metal removal by NC methods, and the manual final finishing measuring, and certification of the propeller. Currently propeller design data is computer processed to assist in the pattern development, gage manufacture, and the certification process the NC function is entirely computerized. Still the basic manufacturing processes are performed manually. As a result, a total concept of an automated manufacturing process was devised, robotic technology was investigated, and the development and fabrication of these new systems are currently underway. Specifically, PNSY Propeller Manufacturing Center has contracted for four major robotic systems APOMSAutomated Propeller Optical Measurement System, PAWSPropeller Automated Welding System, PRATSPropeller Robotic Automated Templating System, and PROFSPropeller Robotic Optical Finishing System. Viewgraphs show the actual or conceptual design including the ultimate Integrated Computer Aided Manufacturing Propeller System ICAMPS, a multi-work station for processing four propellers simultaneously.