AEDC machine shop provides product development solutions

  • Published
  • By Walt Bishop
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  When you think about testing, your first thoughts probably aren't about the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) Model and Machine Shop. But, often that is where it all begins - with a customer who needs a model or test-related hardware developed and often on a tight deadline.

A skilled and experienced workforce, whose focus is on making practically anything, has ensured that capabilities exist to quickly respond to a myriad of manufacturing needs in support of the Complex asset requirements.

Over the past 60 years, AEDC has developed a manufacturing service comprised of a fleet of computer numerical control (CNC) and manual machines with unique capabilities. These machines are operated by some of the most skilled craftsmen available in today's workforce who are accustomed to turning concepts into working products.

The machine shop regularly fabricates everything from wind tunnel models and balances to large test and facility related structures and hardware.

AEDC manufacturing services provide a wide range of capabilities to its customers by providing precision machined products and complex fabricated hardware structures and components. The manufacturing organization uses and maintains a shop with more than 155 machines for precision turning, milling, grinding, cutting, burning and welding operations. The equipment is manned by highly skilled workers having on average 30 years of machining experience and many having Naval or machinist apprenticeship backgrounds.

To add flexibility, additional capabilities and provide best-value to AEDC's overall manufacturing services, a preapproved list of civilian-owned and operated machine shops with complimentary specialties and skills are often used, making the overall capabilities of AEDC's manufacturing services almost limitless.

By taking advantage of AEDC's manufacturing services, virtually any machining concept can be developed into a working product.