Capabilities Overview
ASTRO America works with government agencies and leading aerospace and defense companies to de-risk novel manufacturing technologies and materials. We do this in our unique production laboratories across the globe. Our focus is on driving down cost and delivery time through applied innovation.
ASTRO South
The AM Forward Network convenes our nation’s top lead system integrators to help their supply chains adopt advanced manufacturing solutions. These efforts promote our national security and industrial base resilience.
Enables rapid production and qualification of mission-critical components
Reduced lead times for constrained or legacy defense parts
Scalable transition from prototype to low-rate initial production
Supply chain development and mentorship to meet defense manufacturing needs
The Facility
Additive Manufacturing
Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
- 55.77” x 55.77” x 55.77” Max
- Alloys (Iron, Nickel, Copper, Aluminum)
Laser Powder Bed Fusion
- 7” x 7” x 14.4” (Current)
- 133.27” x 69.90” x 81.5” (Planned)
- Alloys (Cobalt, Copper, Nickel/Inconel, Titanium, Aluminum, Tantalum)
- Stainless Steel
Applications
- Large Near Net Shape
- Part Repair
- Large Structural Parts
- Complex Parts
Secondary Operations
Hot Isostatic Press (HIP)
- 1400°C & 207 MPa
EDM
- 15.7” x 11.8” x 9.8”
Automated 3D Saw
Laser Marking
Maritech Partnership (Full Post-Processing Capability)
Applications
- Precision Machining
- Precision Turning
- Material Enhancement (per spec)
Engineering, Testing, & Qualification
CT Scan
- 480KV
CMM
- 27.6” x 39.27” x 23.62”
Hardness Testing (A, B, C Scale)
Applications
- Non-Destructive Testing
- Hardness Testing
- Reverse Engineering
ASTRO Indo-Pacific
Sponsored by the U.S. Navy and BlueForge Alliance, ASTRO is managing the Guam Additive Materials & Manufacturing Accelerator (GAMMA) in Dededo. Accordingly, we are developing and sustaining a powerful maritime industrial base to support U.S. military operators and maintainers in the Indo-Pacific. This effort consists of three major components: end-to-end advanced manufacturing, characterization/metrology, and mechanical engineering educational programs — all resident on the island of Guam.
Enables rapid production and qualification of mission-critical components
Reduced lead times for constrained or legacy defense parts
Establishing forward deployed readiness for contested logistics
Supply chain development and mentorship to meet defense manufacturing needs
The Facility
Engineering, Testing, & Qualification
- 3D scanning
- Fatigue Tester
- Tensile Tester
- Impact Tester
- Hardness Tester
- Ultrasonic Tester
- Xray/CT
- CMM
- Mass Spectrometry
- Metallography
Applications
• Reverse Engineering & TDP Development
• Non-destructive testing
• Process & Material Characterization
• Mechanical and lifecycle analysis
Additive Manufacturing
Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
- 5 axis
Hybrid DED & CNC
- 5 axis
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF)
- Build Volume 400 x 400 x 400* mm
Applications
- Large near net shape production
- Complex geometrical components
- Medium to Large Metal Components
- Rapid part replacement, obsolescence recovery
Secondary Operations
Computer Numerical Control Milling (CNC)
- 5 axis
Manual Mill
- Vertical Cutting
- Heat Treatment
Applications
- Precision Machining
- Material enhancement (per spec)
- Mission-critical component production
ASTRO Midwest
ASTRO supports the U.S. Army’s process development for novel additive manufacturing, including the world’s largest metal 3D printer located at the Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center. ASTRO leads an OTA contract-vehicle to support applied research, material/process qualification, and prototyping of large scale parts. We also run a unique characterization and metrology laboratory, tailored to help evaluate ultra-large scale production parts.
Enables rapid production and qualification of mission-critical components
Reduced lead times for constrained or legacy defense parts
Scalable transition from prototype to low-rate initial production
Supply chain development and mentorship to meet defense manufacturing needs
The Facility
Additive Manufacturing
Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD)
• 82” x 43” x 39” Max
• Aluminum Alloys
• High Temp Steel
• Titanium (future)
Applications
• Large Near Net Shape
• Part Repair
• Large Structural Parts
Engineering, Testing, & Qualification
CT Scan
• 30 Micron Resolution
Ultrasonic Testing
• 15’ x 12’ x 7’
• 25K Max Weight
Electron Microscopy
• <1KV Resolution
Laser Metrology (Handheld)
Applications
• Non-Destructive Testing
• Hardness Testing
• Reverse Engineering
Secondary Operations
Milling
• 64” x 40” x 30”
Turning
• 12” Diameter x 17” Swing
Waterjet
• 30’ x 13’
EDM
• 39.4” x 31.5” x 15.75”
Heat Treatment
• 10” x 27” x 6.5”
Applications
• Precision Machining
• Precision Turning
• Material Enhancement (per spec)
ASTRO Mid-Atlantic
ASTRO conceived the Hypersonic Production Accelerator Facility (HPAF) at the direction of DARPA; today it is working with its partners to implement this vision, integrating state-of-the-art metallic additive manufacturing (AM) with key aspects of the supply chain to fine-tune design, build, and test capabilities with government and industry partners. ASTRO is advising the Southwest Research Institute on its implementation of the HPAF concept, working with industry partners to integrate AM into key supply chains.
Secure, dedicated production bays supporting independent supply chains and protection of intellectual property
Integrated metrology, inspection, and quality assurance capabilities
Advanced manufacturing support, including subtractive processes and welding
End-to-end pre- and post-processing capabilities within a shared, flexible production environment
Industry Day / Workshops
View upcoming and past events.