AFRL upgrades rocket part production with 20 new machines

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in the US has upgraded its fabrication shop equipment with 20 new machines for manufacturing rocket components that will enhance capabilities, increase accuracy and save money.

AFRL leads the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for the US Air Force.

The Rocket Propulsion Division, part of AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate, recently modernised its fabrication shop with five new milling machines; three lathes; a waterjet cutter; a wire electrical discharge machining, or EDM machine; a sinker EDM machine; a small hole EDM and numerous manually operated machines.

“The recently upgraded machines provide AFRL with an increased capability to fabricate components of higher complexity and provide customers the benefit of being able to keep more of their work on-site, reducing program costs and turnaround time,” said Ben Gleason, lead fabrication technician. “The machines are equipped with similar CNC control units to lessen operator training. More accurate spindles and electronic part probing reduce setup time and increase precision.”

Specifically, the new equipment will increase accuracy on multi-sided and complex parts, while improving operator safety and allowing for a cleaner, safer working environment.

“The unique skills of these devices allow them to machine tight tolerances with exotic materials such as superalloys, additively manufactured metals, polymers and composites,” said Lt. Col. Ammy Cardona, AFRL branch chief and materiel leader for the Experimental Demonstration Branch.

AFRL’s Rocket Propulsion Division designs and manufactures components for liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors. The newly upgraded fabrication shop allows the laboratory to manufacture one-of-a-kind rocket components that scientists and engineers can test in experiments, such as proof of concepts for new technologies. 

“Machine shop personnel take great pride in being an integral part of the scientific endeavours at AFRL,” Cardona said.

The automation of the new machines will also ensure product quality and timeliness, which helps the team make accurate decisions of scheduling and production to meet the demand of AFRL’s test schedule.

“We are extremely responsive to the needs of our customers, and we will go to great lengths to ensure they are getting exactly the parts that they require in an effective and timely manner,” Cardona said. 

Automation also creates consistency when engineers create multiple parts of the same kind.

“The new machines support highly precise cuts which eliminates waste and saves money on material and human error in the fabrication process,” Gleason said. “Reducing lead time is critical for our fabrication team. We are able to be more efficient with our time and set up multiple fabrications at once while producing state-of-the-art rocket components."

www.afrl.af.mil