Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MLF 2010 Volume: 4 Issue: 7 (August)
3-D RFID-Based Asset Management System
A new inventory management system developed by TASC Inc. for the U.S. Navy will allow Naval warehousing facilities to automatically count and locate RFID-tagged inventory in real time. The software platform integrates a radio frequency identification (RFID) system with an inventory management system.
“Good asset management is essential to the military supply chain, and this system is essentially ‘spell-check’ for inventory control,” said Pat Talty, mission engineering vice president at TASC. “The system will identify the shipment of the wrong items, or if an item is misplaced, show you exactly where in the warehouse you can find it.”
Using a passive radio frequency (pRFID) real-time location system, the solution automatically inventories stock count and locations for reconciliation. From automatic stock count and location queries, users receive real-time inventory reports and a three-dimensional graphical presentation of items’ locations in the warehouse. With the TASC system, users can resolve any discrepancies caused by human error and maintain a higher level of accuracy for both physical stock and database records. “We know that warehouses with high levels of inventory management accuracy have lower operating costs, better ordering protocols and more efficient workflows for their employees,” said Talty. “We expect the time savings alone will pay for the system in less than two years.”
The TASC software team created and implemented the tool at the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division warehouse in Indian Head, Md. Users were able to locate items tagged with pRFID tags in a scaled three-dimensional virtual warehouse. The solution was created in conjunction with RF Controls, who developed the Intelligent Tracking and Control System, an pRFID system that uses innovative, bi-directional, electronically steerable phased array antennas.
Christine Nyirjesy Bragale:
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Structural Integrity Monitoring
Ultra Electronics Ltd Controls recently announced the industry launch of ASIS, an entirely new innovation that it expects will revolutionize how military aircraft structures are monitored and maintained. This new aircraft structural integrity system is a technology that Ultra has developed to enable the early detection of cracks within the metal structures of all types of military aircraft.
ASIS is launched against a background where an increasing number of aircraft fleets need to be kept operational well beyond their expected service life. This is due to high utilizations, replacement aircraft not being available, decision delays on new aircraft and increasing budget restrictions. There are tens of thousands of ageing military aircraft flying with the world’s air forces, which are over 25 years old. Many of these fleets are set to be still flying in 20 years or more with some aircraft, such as the USAF KC-35 tankers, expected to be over 80 years old before the last aircraft are withdrawn from service. ASIS is expected to be relevant to any military aircraft in service throughout the world; however, it is particularly appropriate to the large population of military aircraft in the U.S., where just six aircraft types comprise an ageing population of over 14,000 aircraft.
“The U.S. military is actively seeking a solution for aging aircraft such as the P-3, C130, KC-135, F-15 and UH-60—all now expected to fly decades into the future,” commented Rob McDonald, marketing director, Ultra Electronics Controls. “ASIS will inform the customer if there is a crack, or cracks, in an area of structure that is of interest to them, where it is and its potential severity. We have developed ASIS with a laser-like focus, to make sure we offer our target market a solution that is retrofittable to any aircraft and that will deliver the functionality and user benefits that military aircraft operators need right now.”
ASIS is a passive acoustic detection system that identifies cracks that can be extremely small, below the surface and in inaccessible areas that would make the use of existing non destructive testing techniques difficult and time consuming. These cracks can be caused by fatigue, corrosion or abrasion.
Sensors attached to the structure detect the acoustic emissions created by developing cracks. The precise moment in time that each sensor detects each emission is analyzed and the noise of the crack is compared with the ASIS system’s permanent memory of the acoustic signature of the structure. The user interface then displays a 3-D illustration of the structure, the crack’s location and potential severity.
Low-Cost Dolly Caster
Colson Caster Corporation, a manufacturer of standard and custom application caster and wheel products, has added a new, low-cost dolly caster to its current line-up of more than 35,000 different caster models.
“The Dolly Caster is another direct response to requests from our customers,” said Brian Crain, product manager for Colson. “It was designed and built to address the increasing need for reliable and smooth movement of materials for both our direct customers and our manufacturing partners.”
Sculpted to move dollies, food service carts, and stock carts easily and silently, with a clean non-marking roll, the new dolly caster rolls on—even in today’s most demanding material handling environments. The dolly caster fork is formed in a durable zinc-plated finish with a standard top plate mounting and fitted with an easy-rolling and non-marking grey TPR wheel. In addition, the caster is built with a single centered precision wheel bearing to provide easy rolling with a unique plastic thread guard that also serves as an integrated spanner bushing.
Precision Delivery
Lantronix Inc., a provider of secure, remote management, device networking and data center management technologies, has announced that Stara Technologies has integrated its WiPort into their Mosquito automated guidance unit. Mosquito is a precision-guided aerial delivery system that precisely delivers blood plasma, batteries, ammunition, ground-based sensors and MREs (meals ready to eat) to special operations forces and other troops on the battlefield.
Mosquito is the only delivery system light enough to be delivered from both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and precisely delivers customizable containers up to 150 pounds. With drop altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 25,000 feet, Mosquito can navigate its host to a target 20 miles away, within 10 meters. This level of accuracy ensures the safety of troops while keeping helicopters and planes at a safe distance from the enemy.
“The technologies we are developing today will play a vital role in securing the safety of our soldiers in future conflicts,” said Glen Bailey, Stara’s chief engineer. “Lantronix’ WiPort is and will continue to be a key component of our solution—enabling the military to fly safely out of small arms range, while still delivering vital supplies, weapons and technologies to our troops.”
Stara also uses the Mosquito to deploy sensors out of a C-130, a UAV or a helicopter with different hosts attached. Once deployed from an aerial vehicle, the payload guides itself through GPS above the intended target area, where it automatically releases an unattended ground sensor. These sensors can be programmed to transmit data back to military operations personnel, including information on enemy activity or the presence of weapons of mass destruction. The sensors can be hidden on the battlefield, so they blend in with the terrain. Once a sensor is released, the parafoil continues to fly and land away from the delivery area, thus ensuring that if stumbled upon, the sensors will not be discovered.
More JCAs
L-3 Communications, the prime contractor for the U.S. Army and Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program, recently announced the fiscal year 2010 order from the JCA Joint Program Office for eight C-27J JCA aircraft. This order, with a value of more than $200 million, brings the current contract total to 21 aircraft.
The eight aircraft are scheduled for delivery in series between July 2012 and April 2013. Each of the aircraft ordered includes the specialized equipment needed to support medical evacuation, troop movement and air drop missions.
“Our team is pleased to continue delivering these aircraft to the warfighters who need this great capability,” said James Burkhardt, president of L-3’s Platform Integration division. “The C-27J JCA continues to perform well during the first several training classes and the ongoing multi-service operational test and evaluation.”
Robotic Lift Truck
Routine use of robotic lift trucks is not far off, according to Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. Inc. (TMHU). Innovative lift truck applications involving unmanned operation are being increasingly explored for high-risk work environments such as those in the military.
In June, the U.S. Army Logistics Innovation Agency (LIA) hosted demonstrations at Fort Lee, Va., of an MIT-developed prototype unmanned robotic Toyota lift truck capable of locating, lifting, moving and placing palletized supplies within an existing outdoor supply depot. The demonstration included review of the robot’s safety features, sensor capabilities and human-robot interface based on voice and gesture commands.
The robotics technology was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), BAE Systems, and Lincoln Laboratory in collaboration with the LIA, the Combined Arms Support Command Sustainment Battle Lab, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Defense Research and Engineering.
The 3,000-pound capacity, internal combustion w lift truck was modified by researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to perform embodied speech and gesture understanding; shape estimation (from laser range scanner data); machine vision (from camera data); motion estimation (from GPS, inertial data and wheel odometry encoders); and autonomous mobility and pallet manipulation. Proprietary Controller Area Network protocols, provided by Toyota’s 8-Series product engineering team, enabled the MIT team to connect its algorithms directly to the lift truck’s manual and electrical controls. The demonstration illustrated capabilities realized during the first two years of research and development on the project.
“We chose the internal combustion Toyota lift truck because it can be operated outdoors on packed earth or gravel, and because with minilever control, some of its functionality can be controlled electronically rather than solely mechanically,” said MIT professor Seth Teller, who leads the project. “The Toyota 8FGU15 is a fine machine, and we are quite happy with its performance.”
“We are excited to work with the innovative researchers at MIT on this promising application of lift trucks,” said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. “Robotic forklifts have the potential to protect both military and civilian personnel working in high-risk environments, such as hazardous material storage facilities. Toyota’s 8-Series proved to be a perfect candidate thanks to its advanced technology, electronic throttle and load handling controls.” ♦
