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Document Title: Machine shop (DI00970)
Description: At the heart of observational sciences lies the instruments and equipment to gather data. Scientists frequently have strong engineering streaks and can envision and even render to paper schemes to achieve the measurements they want. Enter the Atmospheric Technology Division's (ATD) Design and Fabrication Services. Since its earliest days and springing from a field of research strongly dependent on observational studies—solar physics—NCAR has had a first-class machine shop that over the years has evolved to its modern day version in ATD. Complete with the most advanced CAD capabilities, and computer controlled machine tools. DFS has produced an impressive array of specialized instruments and equipment. Jobs are brought to the group in many different forms, from conceptual information which requires input from the design group, to complete detailed designs generated by the customer. On occasion, the customer supplies solid digital models of the instrument and its components electronically. These are opened using any one of a variety of Computer Aided Machining (CAM) software tools which are maintained in house. These CAM programs produce the tool paths required to produce the part. The material is selected and mounted in the machine tool, the tool path is downloaded to the machine via RS-232 link and the machining operations are performed.
Creditline: copyright University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Keywords: Atmospheric Technology Division,Design and Fabrication Services,DI00970,instruments,machine shop,research equipment
Filename: DI00970.tif