Development of a scale test tooling system for a new solid propellant rocket motor.
The main objective of the project was to validate the propellant containment volume and to develop a new method for positioning and bonding composite skirts, which are structurally integrated into the motor assembly.
One of the key engineering challenges was the structural verification of the hollow mandrel, designed as an internal support volume during manufacturing. It was essential to ensure that the mandrel would not collapse during the cooling phase, taking into account thermal deformations and induced stresses.
Special attention was given to:
– Areas with curvature transitions, which were critical from both a CAD and manufacturing standpoint
– Definition of the required dimensional tolerances for structural assembly and alignment
– Development of a high-precision positioning and handling system for the mandrels
The entire system was designed and validated through structural and thermal simulations, and subsequently manufactured by NHOE in compliance with the defined engineering requirements.
