Ergonomic Assist Device for Water Blast Gun Manipulation

The U.S. Air Force is moving to water jet blasting for depainting operations at their air craft maintenance facilities. The water jet process produces a less hazardous waste stream by eliminating or greatly reducing the use of paint stripping chemicals. The move to water jet depainting operations has identified a need for an assist device that will support a manually operated system. A Phase I program is proposed for the developed of Ergonomic Assist Device for Water Blast Gun Manipulation.A manually operated portable system that can operate in an omnidirectional orientation will be developed. The Phase I program will define the user requirements with a detailed site and system analysis. A Phase I portotype will be developed and fabricated for user evaluation. The Phase I result will be a detailed Phase II design criteria based on site analysis and user feedback. Phase I will concentrate system function and user requirements.A Phase II development will involve the commercialization team member early in the program. This effort will continue to update function and user requirements and will also address weight, materials and manufacturing issues. Phase II efforts will produce a design ready for initial manufacturing and prototypes for continued evaluation.