Optimization of end rings for processing solid rocket motor segments

Rocket hardware are thin cylindrical shells which are very sensitive to the externally applied loads. During segment processing they are not allowed to strained in any form beyond certain limits. For producing the rocket segment from the hardware a suitable interface is to be generated to cater the production operations. To meet the production needs a number of handling, tilting and rotary operations are essential. These operations are carried out by connecting a pair of rings on either side of the hardware called as End Rings. This paper deals with the design, analysis and optimization of End Ring for producing the solid rocket motor segments, using existing hardware interfaces.