INTEGRATED POLYMER AND METAL CASE AMMUNITION MANUFACTURING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A system for manufacturing polymer and metal ammunition, comprising:
a case feeder for receiving and conveying cylindrical polymer or metal cases, each case including a bottom portion with a head end attached thereto and an open top end; a primer feed and insert station operative to receive primers and cases with the head ends attached, and insert one of the primers onto the head end of each case through the open end of that case; a propellant fill station operative to receive the primed cases and propellant, and fill each case with the propellant through the open end of that case; a bullet feeder station operative to receive the propellant-filled cases and bullets, and insert one of the bullets into open end of each case, thereby closing off the open end thereof; and a crimping station operative to attach each bullet to the case into which it was inserted and output assembled rounds of ammunition.