Manufacturing Capabilities

Micro Craft specializes in the manufacture and assembly of parts for various facets of the aerospace industry. From production to spares, to flight test hardware, Micro Craft excels in quality, delivery and short turn-arounds.

Coupling our skilled machinists with our expert engineers allows us to perform a broad range of machining, assembly, and system integration tasks on small projects as well as large systems. 

Experienced with:

  • Aircraft-grade aluminum
  • Stainless, carbon, and alloy steels
  • High-temp alloys (Titanium, Inconel, A-286, and more)

A large portion of our workforces has over 30 years’ experience in the industry. We possess a wide-ranging background of expertise ranging from US Government jobs (NASA and Defense) to private sector type activities (commercial aviation and foreign military sales).

  • Metals, composites, ceramics, and exotic metals
  • Complex components, assemblies and integrated systems
  • Prototype research hardware (DoD and Non-DoD)

Micro Craft maintains partnerships with a number of qualified vendors to provide value added heat treating and finishing services, simplifying customers’ supply chains. 

  • CNC Lathes
  • 3, 4, and 5 axis CNC Milling
  • Wire EDM, Die Sink EDM
  • ID/OD and Surface Grinding

Milling capabilities include 5 axis, 4 axis, and 3 axis contour profiling, pocketing, and drilling on parts up to 156” in length.

Turning capabilities include CNC contour turning, boring, and threading capability up to 20” diameter and 80” length.

EDM capabilities include Wire EDM, CNC Die Sink, and Conventional Die Sink EDM.

Please see our Equipment list page for our CNC machine capabilities.

Our CNC machines are programmed using Mastercam and Mazatrol. Full G-Code program verification is performed using Vericut.

Wind Tunnel Models

Wind Tunnel Model design, build, and support is what Micro Craft was born to do. In 1958, Micro Craft was established to build aerodynamic models and support systems in support of Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). Today, Micro Craft provides wind tunnel models, model support systems, model injection systems, structural and aerodynamic components, and other related hardware for test facilities across the country. Our design experts and highly-skilled craftspeople have extensive experience in machining complex, contoured components and fitting the components into a smooth, step-free, gap-free assembly with excellent performance in aerodynamic test environments.

Micro Craft recognizes the economy of remotely controlled systems in wind tunnel models as well. We have helped our customers implement state-of-the-art systems in such programs as the Navy Standard Missile, Air Force Research Labs 3D Flow Control Turret, and Next Generation Radar Jammer Pod.

Areas of expertise include, but not limited to:

  • Aerodynamic Models
  • Inlet Models
  • Hypersonic Models
  • Static Pressures
  • Dynamic Pressure Transducers
  • Thermocouples

Conveniently located within 12 miles of AEDC

Balances

Balances are an integral part of wind tunnel testing, and their design and fabrication has intertwined with our model work since the beginning of Micro Craft. Our skilled balance team has extensive experience in manufacturing internal, external, and rotating balances as well as related calibration hardware.

Our team has expertise with:

  • High Capacity Hybrid Force Balances
  • Multi-Piece Force Balances
  • Single-Piece Moment Balances
  • Large Semi-Span Pedestal Balances
  • Platform Balances
  • Rotating Balances

Flight Hardware

Micro Craft’s rich history in the test hardware industry has advanced into the ability to produce short-run production hardware, spares and retrofit components, prototype hardware, and complex aerospace structures. We can produce new and out-of-production hardware for legacy aircraft systems such as F-15, F18, AV8B, C-130 & KC135.