SBIR-STTR Award

Engin's core mission is to provide innovative solutions to a broad range of engineering challenges. In this tradition, Engin is proud to propose an innovative reusable securing system that solves the excess/wasteful dunnage inherent to the current MATPAC solution. The proposed system will bring lowered total ownership costs and reduced logistics footprint to the Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) Integrated Product Team (IPT) team while reducing the time to pack/unpack for the Fleet. Preliminary design and analysis has been performed to both get an advanced start and reduce execution risk. Early engineering and cost analysis confirm the proposed solution is both viable to solving the immediate EAF challenge and also offers great commercial potential which will continue to drive down total MATPAC ownership costs.

Benefit:
Commercial applications consist of: shipment of flat metal stock with greater edge protection and thus lower scrap rates, shipment of other flat and fragile material requiring protection (doors, windows, et.), and used as a rapid means of packing oddly shaped shipments similar to the lighting and accessory configuration.

Keywords:
reconfigurable, reconfigurable, easily sustainable, innovative, low total cost, simple to use, Rugged, design reuse

The proposed Phase II effort consists of the prototype, limited production, and test/evaluation of a reusable MATPAC system for multiple configurations. Efforts to commercialize the reusable MATPAC solution developed in Phase I, will build upon evaluation consistent with manufacturing, usability, environmental, and cost requirements. Manufacturing validation will take place through multiple Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) runs. Usability validation will be performed through Field User Evaluations (FUE). Engin will mature the manufacturing plan and technical data package to include sufficient Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) so that it can be competitively bid permitting Engin to identify alternate supply chain sources. These efforts will provide a solution to current non-reusable and costly system for securing MATPAC's.

Benefit:
To transition a commercially viable MATPAC solution with improved cost, reliability, and performance. The currently utilized approach is attachment via single use steel strapping which has the following disadvantages which are overcome by Engins proposed solution: - Not reusable: Current application of single-use steel straps is wasteful, costly and has a high logistics & disposal burden (4-5 truckloads of banding disposed per deployment). - Specialty tools dependence is reduced: The tools used for the steel banding will no longer be required. Simple hand operation is sufficient to install and de-install Engins solution.