Equipment | Apex Space & Defense Systems
About > Equipment

Autoclave3

 

Capabilities & Equipment

APEX is vertically integrated across our 3 US sites to reduce cost and lead times. We understand that manufacturing composites is both an art and science; this is why we closely monitor every aspect and detail of the manufacturing process to ensure only the highest quality products are delivered to our customers on time, every time.
 

Facilities

  • Over 350,000 ft2 of office and manufacturing space including Layup Clean Rooms, Ovens/Autoclaves, CNC/Trim, Assembly, Paint, NDT & Inspection, Labs and Office Space


Layup

  • Over 55,000 ft2 of Layup Rooms including over 20,000 ft of Controlled Contamination Areas

Autoclaves

  • 6 Autoclaves ranging in size from 3.5’D x 3’ L to 15’ D x 30’ L & 12’ x 30’ L

Ovens

  • 24 Ovens configured for the special needs of product portfolio, material cures and layup methods.
    Largest ovens are 40’ x 20’ x 8’ & 12’ x 20’ x 8’

Filament Winding

  • 8 Computer controlled, 4 axis winders. Size ranges: 0.75’ D x 18’ to  4.6’ D x 19’ L

CNC

  • 11 5 axis CNC Machines: 5 HAAS, 3 DMS, 2 CMS, Thermwood
    • Tight Tolerance: CMS Ares & Cronus, Machining Envelope: 16.4’ L x 8.5’ W x 4.25’ H
    • Large Bed: DMS 2530, Machining Envelope:  26.3’ L x 11.1’  W x 5.9’ H
  • 5  4 axis CNC Machines: 3 HAAS, Fadal, Tormach
  • 14  3 axis CNC Machines: 5 Fadal, 4 HAAS, 3 Laguna, 2 Thermwood


Ply Cutting

  • 6 Gerber automated ply cutting machines


Paint Booths

  • 3 Paint Booths, 27’ x 17’ x 10’, 14.5’ x 14.5’ x 9’ & 16’ x 28’ x 10’

Testing Capabilities 

  • Tensile At Ambient Temperature:
 ASTM D638, ASTM E4, ASTM D618
  • Compression Ambient Temp:
 D695, ASTMD6641, ASTM E4, ASTM D618, ASTM D638
  • SBS Ambient:
  ASTM D2344, ASTM E4, ASTM D5229
  • Flexural Ambient Temp: 
  D790, ASTM D790, ASTM D638, ASTM E4, ASTM D618
  • Single Lap Shear Ambient Temp:
 ASTM D2344, ASTM E4, ASTM D5229
  • Hardness Testing Barcol:
 PER CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
  • Hardness Testing Shore Durometer:
 PER CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
  • Gel Time:
 ASTM D3532, ASTM E4
  • Flow Time:
 ASTM D3531, ASTM E4, ASTM D3530
  • Glass Transition TMA:
 ASTM E831 (Calibration)
  • Linear Thermal Expansions of Solids:
 ASTM E831 (Calibration)
  • Resin/Fiber Content:
 ASTMD3530, ASTM E4
  • Volatile Content: 
 ASTMD3530, ASTM E4

Inspection Equipment

  • 3 Non-Destructive Inspection Tanks
    • 5-Axis Scanning with Through Transmission Capability
    • Standard & Modified Immersion
    • Scanning envelope: 5’ W x 17’ L x 6’ H, 5’W x 25’ L x 10’ H
  • 7 CMM & FARO Focus Laser Scanners
  • 11 Calibrated Surface Plates
  • Nikon H120 Scanner with Hexagon Probing Arm
  • Hexagon Absolute 7-Axis Probing Arm
  • Keyence 3D Photo Scanner
  • Calibrated testing equipment for tensile, fatigue, torque and shear 
     

Other

  • 14 Virtek and FARO Laser Projection Systems
  • Platten Presses
  • Inkjet Part Marking
  • Overhead Cranes