Conventional and CNC Machining
AMPAC-ISP UK maintains CNC lathes and mills that are used to machine complex rocket nozzle contours for refractory and high strength corrosion resistant metals, as well as austenitic and martensitic stainless steels. Hardinge and Bridgeport equipment is used to produce high tensile strength, high-temperature alloy parts. A number of conventional center lathes, jig bore, mills and grinders are available to support prototype or production manufacturing. AMPAC-ISP UK has developed a unique capability in micro drilling for our rocket injectors, with hole diameters down to 0.025 mm.
Metal Joining
Metal joining can be accomplished by a number of methods, including electron beam welding, vacuum brazing, TIG welding or micro-spot welding. Electron beam welding is performed using a Wentgate EB welder with a chamber size of 450 mm x 750 mm x 1500 mm. The welder has full CNC positioning control. Vacuum brazing is performed in a Wentgate furnace with a chamber size of 300 mm diameter x 350 mm depth. TIG welding is performed with a Miller Syncrowave 300P. Micro-spot welding utilizes electrodes down to 0.25 mm diameter for welding a variety of metals, woven mesh and foils. The spot welder is rated to 1.5 kVA and a maximum short circuit current of 3200 A. The unit has a fully synchronous timer, with a timing range from 0.5 to 11 cycles.
