Native American Technologies Company is a Native American owned and operated business built on a foundation of metallurgical and mathematical expertise. The firm strives to use its knowledge to address the growing need for advanced flexible automation, semi-autonomous robots, ZIGBEE wireless sensor networks, advanced manufacturing technology, direct CAD-to-Part automated manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence based process modeling and control to solve problems in materials and manufacturing, robotics, and wireless sensing. NA Tech is developing additional flexible automated systems for use in shipyard production facilities. Using the PAS-D deckplate straightener as a base system, the firm is designing a machine that will enable shipyards to feasibly straighten bulkheads as well. Currently, acetylene torches are used, together with a sprayer, to heat and then quench bulkhead plates with a water and air mixture. This is a costly, time consuming manual process that causes delays in schedules and reduces the availability of craftsmen for other jobs. The firmâs automated process utilizes a 25 KW induction head, which will straighten the plates twice as fast, including setup and takedown time. It will also remove the worker from the heat source, free craftsmen to do other needed jobs, and reduce Total Ownership Cost (TOC) of Navy ships. Shipyard craftsmen will be included in the development process to ensure acceptance and implementation of the new process. The Portable Automated Bulkhead Straightener (PAS-BH) will be an application of flexible automation in the shipbuilding industry, allowing straightening the work piece in real time and requiring only minimal operator intervention â similar to the operation of the PAS-D System. One particular advantage of the hull straightener over the other automated straighteners is the lack of obstructions. Scaffolding or stairs may be a problem, but at some point everything that would congest the area and hinder the machine from straightening the hull, will be remove
