A status review of the advanced technology features available for the Enhanced T-base Project

The purpose of the Enhanced T-base Project (which is often referred to as PFMS'') is to acquire hardware and software modifications for existing T-base lathes that will significantly improve the ability of these machines to produce precision workpiece. The design objective is to obtain a manufacturing system that is capable of producing hemishell workpieces to significantly higher tolerance with an accompanying low level of process variability (with 3--5 {omega} goals of {plus minus}0.0005 in. on contour and {plus minus}0.001 in. on wall). A new T-base lathe and one retro-fit system will be fabricated which incorporate the necessary special features required to meet the project goals. The new lathe provides a test bed to demonstrate the achievable system capabilities while the retro-fit package offers a mechanism for exhibiting the effects of the system enhancements on existing T-base lathes. After the new machine and retro-fit system have been thoroughly evaluated, additional systems will be obtained to upgrade an appropriate number of machine tools.