Precision Machine Shop

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The CDL machine shop in Charlottesville provides high precision machining of microwave and millimeter wave components to support NRAO’s research and development efforts. The shop can work to tolerances of ±0.0002” (5 microns) as required for millimeter wave components, and is continually exploring new ways to achieve even higher precision as required for sub-millimeter and THz components.

The shop machines production amplifiers, mixer bodies, feed horns, and numerous other components in support of the VLA, GBT, and ALMA. The shop has over 44 years of combined experience in microwave machining.  The machine shop uses Mastercam software to program the NC mills and NC lathe and this software easily reads and translates pertinent information from other CAD files.

Feedhorn Mandrel

The CDL precision machine shop compliments the CDL Chemistry Lab’s effort of electroforming complex microwave components by producing the complicated mandrels and associated internal pieces needed by the lab to produce these complicated hard-to-produce finished microwave components.

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The shop has a measuring microscope to check and to verify that all components meet NRAO’s specifications and the microscope is capable of measuring to 0.5 microns in a controlled environment.

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.