My Piece of Space Shuttle History
A sample of the silica insulation developed for the “tiles” that formed a critical part of the space shuttle’s Thermal Protection System came my way in the early 1980s. I’ve saved it all these years as a reminder of the technology (particularly five-axis machining) that made space shuttle flight possible.
This piece of space shuttle tile is more than a souvenir. It reminds Mark of what machining technology has done to advance space exploration. This explanation was enclosed with the sample.
Today, five-axis machining is highly affordable and accessible. Our Five-Axis Machining Zone is a handy resource for exploring the many applications for five-axis machining to meet opportunities created by the heating up of the current economy.
Related Content
-
Best Practices: Machining Difficult Materials
Cutting hardened steel, titanium and other difficult materials requires picking the right tools, eliminating spindle runout and relying on best practices to achieve tight part tolerances.
-
Choosing a Five-Axis Machine Tool With Automation in Mind
While much focus is placed on the machinery that moves parts, the features most important for automating five-axis machining are arguably found in the machine tool itself.
-
An Additive Manufacturing Machine Shop
Finish machining additively manufactured implants requires different pacing and workflow than cutting parts from stock — different enough for an experienced manufacturer to warrant a dedicated machine shop.