Tooling
Our experience in tool fabrication covers all facets of the trade. Our capabilities
include computer aided design (CAD) of simple to complex jigs, fixtures and dies.
Ducommun AeroStructures is one of the pioneers in the development of soft tooling,
utilizing layers of fiberglass and synthetic resins. We have the ability to achieve
the contour and configuration of a component either from a customer furnished master
pattern or computer generated loft data (CATIA). Ducommun AeroStructures is known
throughout the industry for producing some of the largest ceramic and fiberglass
dies. Some of these are in excess of thirty feet long and twelve feet wide.
The success of any production program depends on the quality of the tooling. Our
engineering expertise and versatility allow us to successfully transform extremely
complex tasks into reality.
Ducommun AeroStructures engineering employs a modern CAD/CAM system that includes
an NCL work station, a Gerber Autograph controlled by an HP 1000 computer and two
HP plotters with Kennedy 9000 magnetic tape drive for mechanical design and drafting
tasks. This system uses IGES (International Graphics Exchange Specification) and
has APT (Automated Program Tools) capability. Loft data, contour data, spline and
mesh surfaces, or ABC Data Points of XYZ, IJK points are expeditiously converted
to graphics.
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