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Fabrication TechnologyMission and ResponsibilitiesThe mission of the Fabrication Technology Division (FTD) is to provide high quality, reliable, and cost effective fabrication and technical support services to all NIST staff. FTD assists NIST staff in the design and development of instruments and measurement devices needed to maintain the national and international standards of measurement and measurement services for which NIST has stewardship. FTD provides the necessary engineering and manufacturing expertise and equipment needed to produce specialized parts and subassemblies for one-of-a-kind instruments conceived by NIST scientists and engineers. The division performs a wide range of specialized precision fabrication and technical support services required to maintain the accuracy and performance of numerous measurement and testing instruments used by NIST scientists and engineers. Resources![]() FTDs specialized fabrication and technical support services include:
The fabrication facilities and specialty shops utilized by FTD staff to support these services are primarily located in NIST building 304, the Main Shop building. A diamond turning laboratory that is shared with the Manufacturing Metrology Division of MEL is located in building 233. There are six one-person contact shops conveniently located in various buildings across the NIST campus.The division also maintains a complete inventory of ferrous and non-ferrous raw materials and operates the NIST metal storeroom facility. ![]() FTD is staffed by 42 fulltime personnel who comprise a strong team of engineers, instrument makers, machinists, technicians, and support staff. FTD staff members have master craftsmen level expertise in mechanical, glass and optics fabrication processes, technologies and equipment. This expertise allows us to perform precision machining, manufacturing and assembly processes that create complex instruments and devices for NIST researchers. FTD also has specialized experience in precision welding, high-speed machining, engineering design, in-process inspection, single point diamond turning, precision grinding, sheet metal fabrication, production planning and estimating, and thin film deposition processes. Program InvolvementMembers of our staff communicate effectively with our customers and associated NIST research divisions through one-on-one consulting of part specifications and direct participation in various MEL research projects that require the type of engineering and manufacturing expertise FTD staff possess. The knowledge gained in these collaborative efforts is instrumental in maintaining a state-of-the-art support service for NIST, while the experience base of FTD instrument makers helps NIST researchers prove out new metrology based systems. Return to topDate created:
2/24/2000 |