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What goes on in the
MACHINE SHOP? The machinists are responsible for
fabricating the newly designed parts that go into antenna upgrades and
repairs as well as making replacements for parts that have broken or
worn out. |
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NRAO antennas are unique: we can't run down to Radio Shack to buy
off-the-shelf parts. Our engineers and design technicians create the
drawings for the new items and pass them on to the machinists to
manufacture them. The machine shop participates in the research and
design of our new antenna systms by creating the prototypes that are
then tested, re-designed, tweaked, re-machined or re-created. When
the design is perfect, it is outsourced for high volume
manufacture. |
Most jobs start with a print, sent either as a print or
as an autocad file, though occasionally the machinists will get a
sketch drawn on a piece of paper. Gary is studying the specifications
for VLBA encoders he is producing from a column of acrylic. |
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| Greg is using the Mazak Vertical
Machining Center to manufacture gussets for the VLBA dichroic panel.
He uses a computer to program the machine, telling it what to do and
what tools to use. The software converts his commands to machine
language, he sets up the materials, and then monitors the machine as
it makes the precision part. |
Unfortunately the machines and computers can't do all of the
work. Don has to file some of the small parts for the ALMA project by
hand so that the fit is perfect. | |
Our machinists have over 100 years
combined machining experience. They are called upon to make parts for
nearly every sector of the observatory, from small electronics to
large feedhorn prototypes to latches for VLBA tape cases to exhibits
for the visitor center. Usually they make the part according to the
print and may never know exactly where it fits into the whole scheme of
the antenna. Other times they know exactly where the piece goes and
what it is used for and will make suggestions for improvements. The
shop has the equipment and expertise capable of machining parts from
brass, copper, steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, and plastics.
Without the machinists, NRAO would not have the scientific instruments
appreciated by astronomers around the world. |