Aerospace
Aerospace Precision Machining Services for Minnesota
Owens Industries is a renowned leader in aerospace machining in Minnesota. We specialize in high-quality CNC-machined aerospace components to meet the industry's exacting standards for precision and detail. With extensive expertise in aerospace precision machining, we specialize in producing custom parts and managing complex manufacturing projects. Since our establishment in 1944, we have consistently delivered top-tier machining solutions throughout Minnesota and beyond. Each aerospace component we make showcases our commitment to quality through the use of advanced 5-axis machinery and other state-of-the-art technologies.
Excellence in Aerospace: Our Work with NASA and GM
Owens Industries demonstrates our commitment to precision CNC machining of aerospace components through our partnership with NASA and General Motors on the Robonaut project.
Project Overview: Robonaut Bicep Assembly
As an aerospace CNC machine shop, we were selected to manufacture a bicep assembly for the Robonaut, a humanoid robot designed to operate in the extreme conditions of the moon. This project required exceptional precision and strict compliance with NASA's stringent specifications.
Key Challenges
- Machining a perfect fit with other robotic components
- Functionality in extreme lunar conditions
- Mobility for construction and exploration tasks
Our Solution
Using advanced 5-axis CNC machines, our skilled machinists crafted the bicep assembly to micrometer-level precision. Our expertise in aerospace precision machining allowed us to meet the project’s exacting standards and specifications.
Project Outcome
NASA commended the quality of our work and requested two more bicep assemblies, further solidifying our reputation for delivering CNC-machined aerospace parts of exceptional quality.
At Owens Industries, we apply the same level of precision and dedication to every project, ensuring your aerospace components meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
Capabilities
Comprehensive Aerospace CNC Machining Capabilities for Minnesota
Owens Industries is Minnesota’s top provider of aerospace CNC machining. Our cutting-edge machining capabilities are tailored to meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry, delivering components with unparalleled precision and reliability.
We employ state-of-the-art CNC machines, meticulously calibrated to achieve exceptional accuracy, ensuring flawless finishes and precision in every part we produce. Our unwavering commitment to quality and precision has earned the trust of aerospace manufacturers across Minnesota.
5-Axis CNC Machining Services
Owens Industries offers ultra-precision 5-axis machining for the high-accuracy aerospace components needed by our clients in Minnesota. We specialize in producing contour rings and hubs from materials like Hastelloy, along with complex parts for microwave housings and Titan rocket sub-assemblies.
Wire EDM Services
Owens Industries’ Wire EDM services deliver unmatched precision in cutting complex shapes from hard metals typically used in aerospace applications. This capability is essential for manufacturing intricate components with extremely tight tolerances.
CNC Lathe Turning & Milling Services
Our CNC lathe machining services are designed to produce high-precision aerospace components Minnesota businesses can depend on. We manufacture critical parts such as engine valve pistons from 7075-T651 aluminum, valve seats from 347 stainless steel with exact concentricities and satellite grid clamps from AISI 304 stainless steel.
Additive Manufacturing Services
Owens Industries offers advanced additive manufacturing capabilities for producing complex parts in the aerospace and defense industries. By integrating our expertise in additive manufacturing with traditional machining methods, we create intricate geometries, lightweight components and custom parts with outstanding precision which gives us a competitive edge.
Micro Deburring Services
Owens Industries specializes in micro-deburring aerospace components, ensuring precision and a flawless mirror finish on every part. Our skilled technicians combine advanced technology with meticulous hand techniques to achieve the high level of accuracy required for critical applications, setting us apart from the automated processes commonly used by other manufacturers in Minnesota.
Mill-Turn Machining Services
Our mill-turn machining services integrate both turning and milling operations in a single setup, making it ideal for efficiently producing complex aerospace parts. This capability allows us to manufacture a wide range of aerospace components with shorter lead times and enhanced accuracy.
Materials
High-Quality CNC Materials for Precision Aerospace Parts
We source only the finest materials to craft precision aerospace components, selecting each one to meet the specific durability and performance requirements of every project. Our commitment to quality ensures each part meets the rigorous standards of the aerospace industry.
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Alloy Steel
An iron and carbon composition with other elements intentionally added, including manganese, chromium, vanadium, nickel or tungsten. Alloy steels are typically divided into two categories: high alloy and low alloy.
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Aluminum
A high-quality silver metal that’s soft, lightweight, and durable. Aluminum is commonly used for 5-axis CNC machining in military and aerospace applications.
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Brass
A metal alloy made of copper and zinc, made with varying proportions to create a range of brasses with varying properties. Brass has decent strength and electrical conductivity when used in machining parts.
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Bronze
An alloy comprised of copper and tin, bronze offers a wide range of properties such as high ductility, hardness, thermal conductivity, strength, and workability. Bronze is often used to manufacture nuts, bolts, threaded parts, bearings, bushings, screws, and more.
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Carbon Steel
A metal alloy of carbon and steel, but could also contain nickel, copper or manganese. Carbon steel is commonly used for axles, gears, shafts, rails, pipelines, couplings and more.
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Copper
A common metal used in manufacturing electrical equipment such as wiring and motors. Copper requires specialized processes for manufacturing, meaning copper alloys are more common in machining components.
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Hardened Steel
Medium or high carbon steel that has been given heat treatment to temper it, or increase its toughness of the steel. How hard the steel becomes depends on the amount of carbon present in the metal, and it’s typically used to make power shovels, nozzles, surgical instruments, and other manufactured parts.
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Hastelloy
A strong nickel-chromium-iron-molybdenum alloy resistant to corrosion. Hastelloy steel is often used to manufacture contour rings, rings, hubs, flanges, shafts, and other manufactured products.
Learn MoreServing Major Minnesota Cities with Aerospace CNC Machining Services
Owens Industries offers precision aerospace machining solutions across Minnesota, meeting the demanding requirements of the aerospace industry in key cities such as:
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
- Rochester
- Duluth
- Bloomington
- Brooklyn Park
- Plymouth
- Woodbury
- St. Cloud
- Eagan
- Maple Grove
- Coon Rapids
- Eden Prairie
- Minnetonka
- Burnsville
- Apple Valley
- Blaine
- Edina
- Lakeville
- Mankato
Components We Build for the Aerospace Industry
| Part | Application | Machining Process Used | Material | Specific Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valve Seat | Air Flow Regulator | Mill/Turn | 347 Stainless Steel | Diameters held within 0.0005" Concentricities |
| Control Valve Housing | Aircraft Brake | 4-Axis Milling | 2024-T351 Aluminum | MIL-Spec Ports and Internal Features |
| Check Valve | Brake Fluid Flow Control | Precision Turning | 18-8 Stainless Steel Cond B | 32 Microfinish on all Surfaces |
| Piston | Engine Valve | Conventional CNC Turning | 7075-T651 Aluminum | Maintaining Class 1 Diameter Fit Tolerance |
| Hinge, Convergent Flap | Flap Control | 3-Axis Milling | Inconel 718 | Deep Groove Milling |
| Housing, Aileron | Flap Control | 5-Axis Milling | 15-5PH Cond H1025 | Machining Finned Housing from Solid Billet Stock |
| Battery Core | Safety Equipment | Swiss Screw Machine | 6061-T6 Aluminum | Black Anodized Sleeve |
| Machined Reflector | Wing Lights | 5 Axis Profile Milling | 6061-T6 Aluminum | Milling and Polishing 16 Reflective Pockets |
| Cylinder Assembly | Flow Channel for Booster Rocket | Turning with Ceramic Inserts | A286 Alloy | Deep Drilling Through Interrupted Surfaces |
| Thruster Body | Satellite Propulsion | Precision EDM | 6Al-4v Grade 5 Titanium | EDM Nozzle Micro Taper Vectored Thru-Hole |
| DM Cover | Satellite Component | Mill/Turn | 6061-T651 Aluminum | Turn, Mill, and Drill Flanged Cover |
| Grid Clamp | Satellite Component | CNC Turn | AISI 304 Stainless Steel | Turn 0.044" Thick Ring |