Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program depends upon Tri Tool's precision machining capabilities to support its aircraft carrier and submarine fleet
The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) is a division within the Naval Nuclear Laboratory that designs, builds, operates, maintains, and manages the nuclear-powered warships and facilities that support the U.S. nuclear-powered Naval fleet. With a staff of nearly 7,000 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel, the NNPP’s mission is to develop the most advanced naval nuclear propulsion technology and to provide technical support for the continued safe, reliable operation of all existing naval reactors. Since the late 1950s, the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program has had dedicated prime contractor support to provide engineering, procurement, and technical oversight of naval nuclear components.
A leading engineering and procurement firm located in direct support to the NNPP, offering a range of nuclear components and services, including the manufacture of nuclear reactor components for U.S. naval submarines and aircraft carriers and other nuclear and non-nuclear research and development component production. While working on a project for the NNPP, the prime contractor encountered an issue: the welding process they were using had caused material defects inside a shipboard nozzle bore. If not removed, the material defects could impact nozzle performance, but the prime contractor did not want to redo the entire fabrication process.
Recognizing Tri Tool’s ability to rapidly design and develop custom, MissionBuilt™ solutions, the firm awarded a contract to Tri Tool to customize an in-situ precision machining system. Under a short timeframe, Tri Tool developed a portable CNC high-speed machining system with multi-axis capabilities for precision targeting of the nozzle defect areas to be removed. The system was also equipped with high-definition video capabilities to provide the operator with visual aid. The onboard video system allows for quick location of registration marks on the working material, automatically adjusting the working path by accounting for shift, rotation and stretch of the material.
With Tri Tool’s customized portable CNC high-speed precision machining system, the engineering and procurement firm successfully removed the material defects inside the shipboard nozzle bore saving the company significant time and money. Tri Tool’s solution increases metal removal rates by using higher cutting speeds, coupled with high feed rates, without compromising the quality of the finished parts. With this systemized approach to machining, the firm gets more accurate parts in less time with a reduced machining cost.
NNPP technology is among the most sensitive and valuable military technologies currently in use in the United States. Nuclear powered vessels comprise about 40 percent of the U.S. Navy's combatant fleet, including the entire sea-based strategic nuclear deterrent. For the prime contractors that provide direct support to the NNPP, they need high-quality precision machining and tooling solutions with uncompromised precision and accuracy. Tri Tool is a proud supplier of high-quality custom engineering and precision machining solutions and services to leading prime contractors, defense organizations and federal agencies.
To learn more about how Tri Tool’s custom engineering and precision machining solutions and services can help you improve readiness, save time and money, and optimize performance, contact our Government specialists by clicking here or email Government@TriTool.com
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