Benchmark Part for Form, Fit and Functional Testing for the Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) Process

During this Phase I effort Optomec will demonstrate that the Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) process provides a viable means for both repair and fabrication of functional prototype components for the MPH needs. This work will serve to establish abenchmark part that can be used for calibration and set up of the LENS equipment, as well as other commercially available RP equipment. The goal of the benchmark part is to provide a standard test geometry that considers all of the critical aspects facingthe RP industry and also a means to measure continued process improvements expected to occur in the Phase II effort. A unique aspect of the benchmark part to be defined during this project is that it will provide a means to means to measure fit, form andfunction for newly emerging RP methods such as the LENS process where functionality is now provided. The work proposed in this project will rely on input from an array of RP users such that a standardized benchmark can be developed that provides astandard that is readily accepted in the RP industry. The anticiapted benefits to be derived through this SBIR work include: demonstration that functionality can be achieved in rapid protoypes, demonstrate that the LENS process provides a viable means forrepair and fabrication of metal perts, provide a standardized benchmark part for testing form, fit and function that serves as a standard for the RP industry.