Ames Engineering Directorate
Applied Manufacturing and Engineering Test Division
The Ames Applied Manufacturing and Engineering Test Division provides hardware development, fabrication, assembly and test services to support all Ames manufacturing needs. Specializing in assisting researchers, scientists, engineers and others develop their concepts into prototypes and finished hardware for facility, laboratory or flight. We assist in the manufacturability of any and all projects and offer guidance to reduce manufacturing time and cost.
The Applied Manufacturing Division provides expert fabrication technology for research hardware development, drawing review, consultation in fabrication and machining methods as well as project management. Our facilities specialize in; additive manufacturing for rapid and precise prototyping, integration and assembly, adaptive test engineering, flight system development, environmental testing and much more. Please take advantage of our capabilities and partner with us in the development and manufacturing, integration and testing of your experimental hardware. The Division consists of five areas:
Please take advantage of our capabilities and partner with us in the development and manufacture of your experimental hardware. Together we will push technology to its limits to provide advanced solutions for your challenge.
Key facilities with the Applied Manufacturing Division include:
Advanced Metals and Composites Development Branch (Code RMF)
In these areas you can have hardware developed and manufactured ranging from carbon graphite composite space flight hardware, light sheet metal for aircraft and spaceflight systems, to structural elements for full scale wind tunnel models.
- Nonmetallic Fabrication Shop
- Structural Fabrication Shop
- Light Sheet Metal Shop
Our model makers are cross trained to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of different methods of manufacturing so that they can make recommendations to optimize the development process and help you optimize your R&D dollar.
Machining and Instrumentation Branch (Code RMX)
The Machining and Instrumentation Branch is located on the NASA Ames Research Center Campus in building N220. The Branch develops and manufactures hardware ranging from miniature ballistic models to spacecraft flight hardware. Our craftsmen use their comprehensive understanding of the latest manufacturing techniques, procedures and materials to ensure that your hardware is manufactured to the highest standards and capabilities with your requirements and constraints kept constantly in mind. The Machining and Instrumentation Branch has some of the most skilled technicians in the world that turn abstract ideas into tangible hardware for aeronautics, space flight and the advancement of science. We provides cradle to grave project management as well as consulting and estimating services for design, fabrication, assembly and tests. Our team specializes in assisting researchers, scientists, engineers and others in developing their needs into concepts, prototypes and finalized hardware whether for spaceflight, laboratory use or for facilities and equipment to accomplish Ames and NASA goals.
SpaceShop Rapid Prototyping Lab
The NASA Ames SpaceShop serves the rapid prototyping and development needs of the Ames research community. SpaceShop provides a capable suite of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) tools, equipment, and training which is made available to all Ames staff. Civil servants, contractors, and interns of any discipline or background are able to make use of the tools and training provided in order to further their research and project objectives, and more rapidly iterate their designs. SpaceShop is a widely accessible fabrication facility that fills a niche between concept and production. Rapid prototyping at the SpaceShop offers staff the opportunity to have direct involvement with the fabrication process. This integration allows for designs that are optimized for manufacturing, leading to shorter turn-around times and reduced material usage and labor costs. The SpaceShop is staffed full-time by Ames personnel who are expert at coordinating project activities and production tasks for a wide range of projects, in support of the agency and center. Training classes and work sessions are provided to those interested in using SpaceShop’s resources. Interns from local schools and universities also work to support SpaceShop activities
Engineering Evaluation Lab
The Engineering Evaluation Laboratory is located on the NASA Ames Research Center Campus in building N244 High Bay. The Engineering Evaluation Laboratory (EEL) is an award winning environmental test facility supporting all facets of R&D and flight system development activities at NASA Ames Research Center. The EEL is a customer service organization, providing a collaborative environment for test development, implementation, and evaluation. Services offered by this shop have provided critical assistance to many Center programs and activities, demonstrated by numerous awards and high customer satisfaction ratings. Examples of adaptive test engineering techniques employed by the EEL include; improvising electronic instrumentation, adaptive mechanical hardware and proactive data acquisition for every test need. With previous experience in providing test engineering support on the Pioneer Venus, Galileo Probe, LCROSS and LADEE. To supporting the ultra small strain measurement of serpentine robots, evaluating the frictional loads on bearings at varied temperatures and compressive loads for the SOFIA telescope door, the EEL is here to help you with your project test engineering needs and processes.
Flight Processing Center
The Flight Processing Center (FPC), located on the Ames Research Center Campus in building N240/N240A, leverages more than thirty years of history in the design, build, test and integration of space flight hardware for both manned and unmanned aerospace flight programs. The FPC is a flight system development, assembly, integration and test facility, designed to provide a common infrastructure and equipment capacity to support spaceflight projects. FPC provides facilities, equipment and capabilities that enable aerospace projects to develop, test and integrate systems to carry out their mission objectives. Facilities include an environmentally controlled Class 100K (ISO Class 8) High Bay cleanroom, two Class 10K (ISO Class 7) cleanrooms, Proto-flight fabrication and assembly areas for electronics and mechanical systems, spacecraft/payload assembly and test areas, science laboratories, test laboratories, bonded storage, warehouse facilities, the Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC-1), and supporting infrastructure.
Unique Hardware Expertise
The Applied Manufacturing Division provides expert fabrication technology for research hardware development, prototype exploration and development, consultation in fabrication methods and management of fabrication projects.
The Applied Manufacturing Division has some of the most skilled technicians in the world that turn abstract ideas into tangible hardware for aeronautics, space flight and the advancement of science.
The Applied Manufacturing Division provides hardware development and fabrication services to support Ames and individual researchers needs. We do much more than merely “manufacture parts.” We provide cradle to grave project management as well as consulting and estimating services for design, fabrication, assembly and tests. Our division specializes in assisting researchers, scientists, engineers and others in developing their needs into concepts, prototypes and finalized hardware whether for spaceflight, laboratory use or for facilities and equipment to accomplish Ames and NASA goals.
- Machining
- N/C Programming
- Mechanical Instrumentation
- Inspection
