Novel Automated Masking System

To address the Air Force need for improved masking technology used in the aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new High Speed Automated Arbitrary Masking (HiSAAM) system. This proposed device is based on an automated deposition of masking composition to aircrafts in the droplet form that allows for the precise targeting of nanoscale droplets on the protected surface. The innovation in HiSAAM technology will enable the system to apply masks of any complexity quickly, accurately, and with high resolution and can easily be integrated with automated coating applicators to provide masking and coating in one step. In addition, the novel masking material deposited with this system is easily removed once coatings have been applied with no residue left. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of HiSAAM by building a proof of concept mask applicator and demonstrating masking, coating and demasking. In Phase II POC plans to build a full scale masking head and demonstrate system accuracy, resolution, and speed.