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Show 10 back to the future HILL TOP TIMES Friday, April 24, 1987 ?V V'i- to xl "A; s; x ,"p!- q - f - y U ! ss? . (U.S. Air Force Photos by Razor's edge John Coyle, an electronics technician in various aircraft, such as the F-11- 1, in '. -- - I ' WMtMhMMi J?'r II 0 - ilu Rf j r - Bill Shirley) maintenance, holds an acrylic instrument panel cut with a continuous wave laser. The laser is programmed to cut different panels used F--1 6 and F--4 , ' - -; Lpseirs (siddl teslrDinilgy ' By Chris Baierschmidt Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office .fak iLmW'': ,y 'AS A laser study managed by Ogden Air Logistics Center will put the command light years ahead in advanced technology. Kay Beckstead, who led the Industrial Base Planning Program, said the study identified more than 350 laser applications in the Air Force Logistics Command. These were combined into 24 laser systems which were selected for preliminary design in phase two of the multi-ste- p program. Four of the projects have been slated for Hill AFB, where there are currently about half a dozen lasers already in operation. The balance will be scattered among the other logistics centers: All are projected to be up and running during the next ' ;Ai:A0i' decade. Mr. Beckstead, an electrical engineer in said the study followed a federal mandate for AFLC to increase productivity 22 percent in the next five years. "To do that, we had to find ways to enhance the technology base in commands. Lasers can help us do that," he said. Lasers at Hill include two used for engraving identification marks into tools and tool kits; and two measurement verifiers, one used for cutting acrylic panels and one used for cutting sheet metal. The different shop supervisors say that all save both time and money while increasing productivity. The four new laser applications projected for Hill will speed-uindustrial processes identified in the main-tenanc- " . """' Xi 5k , - - Light, energy, action W. Lee Uoyd (above) shows a piece of sheet metal cut by a continuous wave laser in maintenance. The laser on the right, which verifies measurements, is so sensitive that a screen is used to shield it from outside interference. e, p study. Laser energy in one of the projects will build up worn metal surfaces through a process of forming new compounds from broken down gases. Savings with the new laser could run almost $243,000 a year in engine repair and landing gear maintenance. A second laser has the cutting, drilling and welding capabilities for repairing vent tubes in 6 aircraft. Similar ones will be used at other ALCs, once research here is completed. A third type is a laser based inspection system to be used on landing gear. Not only will it save time but, also, free machinery for other production two-year-o- ld F-1- C-- 5 . work. Finally, there will be a laser based marking and material handling system for engraving instrument panels. The process will be transferred to Warner Robins ALC, Ga., and Sacramento ALC, Calif. . '"'"If 5? t'i |