A Canadian Leader in Space Machining

Macfab has been a leader in CNC machining for the space industry for decades. Our clients continue to select us for our deep knowledge of regulatory requirements, thorough record-keeping and traceability of materials, and cleanroom-ready parts delivered directly to our customer’s assembly area. Our range as a total solution space components parts manufacturer includes a full selection of services to enable our customers to maintain and grow their market share in the highly competitive space industry.

Macfab’s precision CNC machining services have been instrumental in producing sun sensors, gyroscopes, and other essential satellite components used in today’s space initiatives. From earth observation satellites to attitude determination and control, our high precision, tight tolerance work is found in many mission-critical space components.

Mission Critical Precision CNC Machining

Macfab has experienced organic growth in the space machining industry through customer recommendations and referrals. We understand that our space customers value reliable delivery and quality of the parts that arrive at their facility ready for assembly. Macfab knows missing a launch date not only sets back the project but also incurs costly fees.

Fine Precision

Macfab produces conforming parts to our customer’s requirements. Some design engineers take a risk by applying tight tolerances across all dimensions of a part. As a collaborative partner, we ensure the precision stated is actually necessary. Using tight tolerances increases the part cost, and Macfab’s thorough understanding of manufacturing processes can reduce the need for overly tight tolerances. While many machine shops can hold ± 0.1 millimetres reliably, an experienced and capable manufacturer like Macfab can be trusted to hold tolerances to ± 0.0025 millimetres because of our proprietary manufacturing knowledge.

Integrated On-Site Services

Macfab’s CNC machines and fixtures are designed to hold precision dimensions and geometric tolerances. Macfab provides multiple cleaning operations for parts up to medical-grade cleanliness. Macfab can anodize and chromate conversion coatings internally, and has experience in outsourcing gold plating of components. All of these services completed on individual components can be integrated with our ISO 7 cleanroom to a sub-assembly or finish assembly ready for delivery to our customers.

Macfab’s experience covers the full spectrum of the space and satellite sector’s critical areas of hardware development, including:

Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) Instruments: Macfab manufactures all types of mechanical components for ADCS applications, including rotors for reaction wheels, components for sun sensors, star trackers, and waveguides.

Sensors: Macfab manufactures components for camera applications involving infrared sensors and hyperspectral imaging using rotary sensors and positioners.

Structures: Macfab machines structures from magnesium and honeycomb panels, including fabrication of deployment & retrieval mechanisms for satellites.

Separation systems: Macfab produces components and sub-assemblies with complex designs, shapes, and materials.

Propulsion: Macfab machines components and subassemblies them to meet today’s propulsion and system requirements. We also have experience manufacturing torque rods.

Communication & Electronics: Macfab produces a variety of housings and covers for mission-critical electronic components and subsystems.

Engineering Excellence

MacFab has a long history of collaborating with the University of Toronto (U of T). Today, Macfab is working with U of T’s renowned Institute for Aeronautics and Space (UTIAS) as they develop micro and nanosatellites to further human knowledge and extend their capabilities into space.

In the space & satellite sector, Macfab is observing a trend of optical systems, gas analyzers, mass spectrometers, and ion mobility detectors becoming integrated onboard the latest satellites. Macfab has deep expertise in these technologies and industry sectors from working with leading instrument developers and manufacturers.

Macfab continues to develop its capabilities to better serve our customers in the space sector, by investing in:

Multiple-part cleaning methods
Microscopic assembly
Vacuum packaging

Every mission is critical for our customers in the space industry, and every detail counts. Leveraging Macfab’s space industry experience can make all the difference.