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Novel Automated Masking System

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-08-C-5308
Agency Tracking Number: F071-113-0332
Amount: $749,986.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF071-113
Solicitation Number: 2007.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2008
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2008-03-27
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2010-07-27
Small Business Information
Photonic Systems Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg 100
Torrance, CA 90501
United States
DUNS: 153865951
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 B. Matthew Michaelis
 Team Leader
 (310) 320-3088
 sutama@poc.com
Business Contact
 Gordon Drew
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (310) 320-3088
Email: gedrew@poc.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

To address the Air Force need for improved masking technology for use in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to continue development of a new High Speed Automated Arbitrary Masking (HiSAAM) system. This device is based on the automated deposition of masking composition to aircraft in a droplet form that allows for the precise targeting of nanoscale droplets on the protected surface. The innovation in HiSAAM technology will enable the system to apply masks of any complexity quickly, accurately, and with high resolution, and can easily be integrated with automated coating applicators to provide masking and coating in one step. In addition, the novel masking material deposited with this system is easily removed once coatings have been applied, leaving no residue. In Phase I POC experimentally proved the HiSAAM concept by fabricating a working prototype and demonstrating its performance. In Phase II POC plans to build two versions of the full-scale masking head, optimize the masking material, and demonstrate system accuracy, resolution, and speed. The development of automated masking system will directly address the Air Force need to reduce aircraft coating times and will save tax payers’ dollars.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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