Abstract: A powder compaction device is disclosed. The device has a drive motor operable connected to a compaction rod that moves through a loading platform to a cartridge holding platform. A powder loading station is positioned below the loading platform and above the cartridge holding platform. The compaction rod moves through the powder loading station, which loads a predetermined volume of propellant powder into one or more reliefs defined in the compaction rod. The cartridge holding platform has a removable cartridge fixture designed to receive an ammunition cartridge to be loaded and compacted with propellant powder. The propellant powder is released into the cartridge fixture from the reliefs as the compaction rod passes a funnel defined at an upper end of the fixture. After releasing the powder, the compaction rod continues into an interior chamber of the fixture to compact the powder contained therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to bullets having increased frangibility (or which can be easily fragmented) and to powder materials and processes for the manufacture of such bullets. The bullets of the present invention are made from an iron alloy containing 75-81% Hoeganaes MH-100 Iron 0.6-0.09% Carbon, and balance of admixed Copper powder. Said bullets are then coated for lubricity so the bullet does not prematurely wear the barrel of a gun. Additionally, the invention provides a simple low cost process to make bullets that is amenable to mass production via automation.

Abstract: A fully automated, integrated, end-to-end synchronized and compact manufacturing system produces polymer or metal case ammunition. Manufacturing stations support case assembly, sealing (gluing/welding), final product inspection, cartridge packaging or binning, and loading. Station modularity facilitates rapid changeover to accommodate ammunition of differing calibers. Sensors and apparatus may be provided to place a manufacturing cell in a wait state until all components or materials are received in a preferred orientation for proper assembly. The system may join and use multipart cases, each including a lower portion with a head end attached thereto and at least one upper portion having a necked-down transition to the open top end. Elevator feeders, vibratory bowl feeders, and robotic pick-and-place feeders may be used to deliver components for assembly.

Abstract: A propellant cutting assembly and method of using the assembly to cut samples of solid propellant in a repeatable and consistent manner is disclosed. The cutting assembly utilizes two parallel extension beams which are shorter than the diameter of a central bore of an annular solid propellant grain and can be loaded into the central bore. The assembly is equipped with retaining heads at its respective ends and an adjustment mechanism to position and wedge the assembly within the central bore. One end of the assembly is equipped with a cutting blade apparatus which can be extended beyond the end of the extension beams to cut into the solid propellant.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in filling and capping artillery charge system modules or the like including a lower fixture carried by a base plate for receiving a module with an open center core tube and fixing the module in place relative to the base plate for filling and capping. An upper fixture is carried by a pivot plate for capping a filled module, the pivot plate being hingedly attached with respect to the lower fixture to enable the upper fixture to swing clear of the lower fixture during module loading and thereafter addressing a fixed module to cap same. The lower fixture further includes a centering rod that carries a peripherally disposed flexible expanding member and a shaped cam lock member which operate the expander member to receive, lock and unlock a center core tube to the centering rod to capture and fix the module in place. The cam lock member also aligns the system for lid insertion by an adjustable stroke air cylinder mounted on the pivot plate.

Abstract: A system and method for use in providing a peripheral seal between the case and lid of a MACS modular unit or other workpiece interface, the system including a workpiece holding device for carrying and moving a workpiece of interest in relation to a solvent dispensing system and a solvent dispensing system for dispensing a metered amount of solvent into the interface to be sealed on the workpiece, the solvent dispensing system further including a metering device for dispensing a predetermined known amount of the solvent, a stationary dispensing valve for dispensing solvent supplied from the metering device over a predetermined time, a re-supply system for reloading the metering device of the known amount of liquid solvent; and a control system for controlling the operation of the workpiece holding device and the solvent dispensing system.

Abstract: A shotshell die set to facilitate reloading shotgun shells when using a commercially available press. The shotshell die set includes a depriming pin and shell holder adaptor for supporting the spent shell casing in a position to remove the spent primer from the sheel casing by using the depriming pin in association with the press. A priming pin and another shell holder adaptor are utilized with the spent shell casing in order to insert a new primer in the shell casing. A sizing and crimping die together with an additional shell holder adaptor and crimping plug are utilized to enable complete reloading and reshaping of the shell by using existing devices so the shell is then ready for use in a firearm in a conventional manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water containing explosive cartridge, of which at least one end face is constituted of a star-shaped crimping closure including an inner lid, and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for the manipulation of workpieces particularly in continuous travel, such as the introduction of a workpiece into a seat in an object. The invention utilizes a vehicle formed of an outer body in the interior of which there is disposed a tubular lining which is guided for longitudinal movement with respect to the body, the lining being adapted to receive a workpiece therewithin. The workpiece is introduced into the seat in the object while maintaining the object with its longitudinal axis coincident with the axis of the body of the vehicle by thrusting the object within the body of the vehicle so as to displace the lining of the vehicle from such body and until the seat in the object receives the worked piece.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for covering flash holes in a primer battery cup where the anvil is formed integrally with the battery cup. A tooling apparatus including a tubular foiling pin, and a cutting die plate which, in cooperation with the outside rim of the primer battery cup, blanks out an imperforate, covering-medium disk. As the tubular foiling pin continues to descend into the battery cup, the paper is pierced and slit by the anvil point of the battery cup. The blanked and now perforated disk is inserted further into the battery cup by the foiling pin and seated over the flash holes at the bottom of the cup around the anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus for fitting receptacles at a predetermined spacing with respective substantially identical objects each having a bottom face has a plate generally centered on an upright plate axis and having a substantially planar, smooth, and horizontal upper face with a generally circular outer edge. A feeder deposits the objects on the upper face of the plate radially inward of the edge thereof such that these objects sit on this upper plate face by their bottom faces. A plurality of individual seats distributed at the spacing of the receptacles along the outer edge of the upper face of the plate each have a floor coplanar with the upper plate face and a shape complementary with that of one of the objects. A guide member has an inner edge above the upper face of the plate immediately adjacent same, and a plurality of respective passages which each open at one end at this inner edge and at the other end at the respective seat.

Abstract: An encapsulated signal illuminant flare composition is comprised of powde magnesium from about 45 to about 60 weight percent, of powdered sodium nitrate from about 32 to about 49 weight percent, and of capsular adhesives containing about 91 weight liquid materials contained within capsules having cell walls of equal parts Arabic gum and gelatin of about 9 weight percent to yield a binder from about 6 to about 12 weight percent. The composition ingredients are blended in a dry mixer to achieve a homogeneously, blended signal illuminant flare composition. The blended signal illuminant flare composition is incrementally fed into a flare press for compacting into cartridges in two increments at about 14,000 psi pressure which ruptures the capsular adhesives by hydraulic forces to achieve polymer mixing and the surrounding of the powder ingredients with the binder ingredients to form a very homogenous signal illuminant flare composition mass.