AFW Foundry, AMC assist in redevelopment, procurement of naval component for MCM ships.

As the need for military expedience is essential for defense systems, no unit can afford to be overlooked for improvement. One in particular is that of Mine Countermeasure (MCM) ships, a vessel designed to find, classify and destroy moored and bottom mines.

Under the sponsorship of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Ft. Belvoir, Va., AFW Foundry Inc., Lannon, Wis., has been selected to cast MCM turbocharger tubes--a tube connecting the turbo to the shut-off valve. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Mechanicsburg, Pa., facility recommended AFW castings based on previous experience working with Waukesha., Wis., engine parts. In turn, Denco Manufacturing's New Berlin, Wis., facility has been commissioned to machine the aluminum 356-T71 green sand cast tubes.

When the Maritime Weapon System Group at the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), Columbus, Ohio, noticed that the original manufacturer of the part declared it obsolete, it sought a new manufacturer with the necessary capabilities. This part is vital to the vessels because it has been coded as a critical item.

At the behest of the DSCC, the American Metalcasting Consortium (AMC), Charleston, S.C., reviewed the technical data package to assist in sourcing, cost-quotes and manufacturability.

AMC's Procurement Readiness Optimization Advanced Casting Technology (PRO-ACT) program identified the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing of the part, and the DSCC subsequently created a design deviation to bring forth potential conflicts during the procurement stages.

After discovering the best casting and tooling methods as well as contracting AFW, AMC and the DSCC's Value Engineering and Maritime groups conjoined to support AFW in producing the order so that the DLA would procure the parts correctly.

Although no tubes (which measure 14-in. long with a 4-in. diameter) are currently on-hand, they will be made for stock and could be used on any MCM ship.