With the goals of increased flexibility and reduced maintenance in mind, GF Machining Solutions developed its next generation CUT S 400 Dedicated wire electrical discharge machine (EDM) that improves the overall production of aerospace jet engine turbine disks, in particular for cutting their fir tree blade patterns. With advanced features and capabilities, the new machine allows manufacturers to cut a wider range of turbine blade diameters and do so with fewer production interruptions due to typical EDM setup and maintenance issues. 

If all goes as planned, NASA will launch its Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) Mars mission from Florida’s Space Coast in June 2028, the start of its latest, and greatest, mission to Mars. By sometime in the early 2030s, the SRL mission will have succeeded in traveling to Mars; gathering samples already collected by the Perseverance Rover; launching them into Mars orbit; and capturing and returning them safely to Earth. For NASA’s scientists, the SRL mission is the culmination of a decades-long series of Mars explorations designed to find evidence of life outside of Earth or, at the very least, provide important insights into the origin of life here on Earth.

Zeiss and CleanControlling, a leading test laboratory for technical cleanliness, signed a cooperation agreement in April. The goal of the cooperation is to optimize products and industrial analysis techniques, and to set new market standards.

Solar Atmospheres Greenville, SC facility is pleased to announce it has been awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems approval. With this approval, now all five Solar Atmospheres facilities are an option for our customers with Lockheed Martin requirements for thermal processing services.

Avers Machine & Gear has acquired Fox Tool & Manufacturing located in Woodstock, Illinois. Fox Tool & Manufacturing is an Aerospace Machine shop that is AS9100D Certified, ISO 9001/2015 Certified, and ITAR Registered and has been operating for close to 40 years.

On August 23, 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission made a successful landing on the southern part of the moon near the crater Manzinus. We were able to catch up with Mushtaq Jamal, vice president of engineering and business development at Bevel Gears India Pvt Ltd (BGI), to discuss BGI's role in this monumental achievement for India. 

Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA) is pleased to announce we are now Airbus approved for heat treating. 

Two Forest City Gear employees, CNC Supervisor Mike Miller and CNC Lead/Programmer Josh Gates, recently attended a four-day training retreat in Pfronten, Germany hosted by DMG MORI. The event featured various seminars and opportunities for guests to experience firsthand DMG’s newest equipment and technologies, as well as networking and a taste of German culture.

Lockheed Martin Space has entered into its first-ever international Long-Term Agreement with Melbourne-based manufacturer Ronson Gears under its Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia. This Long-Term Agreement will supply multiple gear and gear sets across various Space programs to enhance lead times while decreasing administrative burdens. 

State of the Gear Industry Perspectives takes an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities in gear manufacturing today and in the future. Our seventh installment online is an interview with Kika Young, president, and Jared Lyford, director of manufacturing operations at Forest City Gear (FCG).