Mechanical engineering

*Cryogenic Freezer designated for use aboard the Space Transportation system and International Space Station, Also known as "GLACIER "

The CBSE mechanical hardware team provides services to a wide array of partners including university and research laboratories, NASA, aeronautical industries, and government organizations such as the Department of Defense. Design examples include:

  1. Design & integration of payloads into the Spacelab Module,  Spacelab Pallets, MPESS, STS Middeck, MPLM, and SPACEHAB
  2. Experiment Racks for Spacelab and ISS missions
  3. Multiple Protein Crystal Growth systems for ground laboratories, STS, and ISS missions
  4. Fluid manipulation in microgravity, both manually and robotically
  5. Robotic manipulation and harvesting of protein crystals
  6. Laser light scattering and video detection systems for use detecting nucleation within protein solutions
  7. Low power consumption, high intensity X-ray systems for use aboard the ISS
  8. Integration of Thermal Electric Devices into space flight qualified refrigerators/incubators
  9. Integration of Stirling Engines into space flight qualified cryogenic freezer
  10. Hand Held Biosensors for packaging of airborne pathogen detectors
  11. Heavy lifting devices for military aircraft loading
  12. High resolution video imaging & automation packaging for biotechnology hardware
  13. Training foreign nationals for experiment flight opportunities aboard the ISS

Mechanical Design:
The CBSE has an extensive history of developing mechanical designs in compliance with the requirements of MIL-STD-100 and ANSI Y14.5M. Designs are produced with solid modeling packages: Solid Edge and ProE.  Expertise with other CAD packages such as Microstation and EMS is also available. An on-site research machine shop provides a seamless interaction between the design and manufacturing process. The CBSE maintains configuration control over released drawings and analyses through a configuration management system that is certified to ISO 9001-2000 with Design.

Structural Analysis:
We support all designs with a dynamic and structural analysis conforming to the needs of the customer based on “intended use”. Designs for an environment where failure could result in damage to personnel or equipment receive full analysis scrutiny including the use of Finite Element Modeling and classical analysis techniques. CBSE provides full Finite Element Modeling capabilities using FEMAP pre and post processing and NE NASTRAN as the solver. We provide design lifetime assessments using fatigue and fracture analysis through the use of standard fatigue equations and FLAGRO crack growth analysis. LSDYNA is also available for analysis solutions requiring additional non-linear analysis.

 

Finite Element Modeling and Analysis
model

Thermal Analysis:
The CBSE utilizes SINDA/G for designs requiring thermal analysis such as incubators, refrigerators, or freezers. Analysis, along with breadboard testing, refines the concept to ensure the design meets customer requirements while minimizing weight, power, and insulation requirements. We provide full thermal analysis or simplified short analyses to prove concepts.

Qualification:
All hardware undergoes rigorous performance testing before release for service. Typical verification methods include dynamic testing, static testing, toxicity testing, and reduced gravity testing aboard the NASA KC-135 Reduced Gravity Aircraft.

 


 

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