Low Cost Aerodynamic Spinel Domes via 3D Printing

TA&T proposes to show how 3D printing of spinel domes and ogives with high optical transparency can meet the Army's requirements for low cost, aerodynamic missile domes by providing a lower cost alternative to the conventional processing techniques of dome production. 3D printing enables a significant decrease in labor, tooling, and capital equipment costs, with the added benefit of creating a more dimensionally accurate and repeatable blank. This increase in process reliability would help further decrease overall cost by reducing the cost of fixturing for grinding and polishing. Such a "digital" manufacturing process that has virtually unlimited geometric dome design flexibilty would be a great benefit.