Composite and Metallic Solutions for Shipboard SMART Foundation Adapter

"KaZaK Composites Incorporated (KCI) proposes to develop and demonstrate a modular adapter system for connecting COTS equipment to the SMART track foundation. This adapter system is comprised of channel-like extruded or pultruded beam segments that may beeasily assembled to a COTS equipment base by cutting to length and fastening with standardized connecters. The assembled base contains provisions for SMART compatible fasteners to slide along its lower channel edges, the fasteners dropping into thefoundation tracks at locations providing the most robust load capacity possible within the COTS equipment footprint and floor plan. The SMART fasteners connecting the adapter channel segments to the foundation tracks are then secured by a wedge mechanismcontained within the adapter channel, thus tying the COTS equipment to the foundation tracks without the necessity of turning individual fasteners in awkward locations. A key element of the developed adapter system will be the formulation of aninstallation manual that provides charts and instructions guiding the installer as to the number and location of fasteners required to secure the equipment as a function of weight, footprint, and C.G. height. The Phase I project will develop and validatethe strength requirements for this system in standardized shock environments. The principal expected commercial benefit of this Phase I development will be an efficient low cost system for fastening