MARKING PROGRESS
INNOVATION IN ACTION Among the challenges that the Rakkasan Soldiers face is how to sustain opera- tions and maintain readiness in remote and austere environments. During quar- terly brainstorming sessions and brigade innovation forums they realized that 3D printing technology could offer materiel solutions to some of these challenges.
Tey invited Dr. Kevin Galloway, director of making and a research assistant professor in the Vanderbilt University Mechanical Engineering Department, to an innova- tion event sponsored by the Rakkasans to explore these ideas. In this open setting dedicated to sharing and exploring ideas, Galloway and Rakkasan leaders discussed how to turn ideas into action.
Soldiers from Breacher Company visited Galloway’s Wond’ry Makerspace, a state- of-the-art prototyping laboratory with 3D printers, fiber arts, mold-making and cast- ing materials. Breacher Company leaders and Galloway’s team had an opportunity to work together to bring concepts to life. “Te rapid fabrication tools available today have significantly lowered the barriers to advance innovative ideas,” Galloway said in an interview. “With a little technical training, anyone can quickly learn how to harness the power of these tools to vali- date early stage ideas before more resources are invested.”
Te Soldiers presented the difficulty of developing easy-to-fabricate and easy-to- use visual marking systems to Galloway’s team. Soldiers employ a variety of mark- ing systems as visual signals across the battlefield. Tese signals help direct traf- fic, maintain unity and spacing between Soldiers, and, perhaps most importantly, designate safe zones and lanes for weapon systems. Te problem the company faced was that its current systems were bulky and not standardized within the unit. For
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SYSTEM PREPARATION
Galloway prepares a base for a silicone mold for the chemlight marking system while Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Frederick and Capt. Aimee Valles look on. The silicone molds can be filled with resin to fabricate holders without the use of a 3D printer.
FIRST PRINTING
Frederick presses print on the first 3D printing project between the Rakkasans and Vanderbilt University: a chemlight marking system.
Army AL&T Magazine
January-March 2019
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