November 16, 2022 Imagineering Finishing Technologies Takes Flight with Artemis Space Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Imagineering Finishing Technologies Takes Flight with Artemis Space Mission

 

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, USA, November 17, 2022 – The expert work and dedication of the Imagineering Finishing Technologies (IFT) team was on full display yesterday.

 Wednesday, November 16th marked the launch of the  Artemis 1, Space Launch System (SLS) moon orbiting mission conducted by NASA. The historic launch from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida included the Orion spacecraft built with critical components processed by IFT.

The Artemis 1 mission is NASA’s first test flight of its Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon this decade.  Artemis 1, SLS launched an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a 42-day flight around the moon. The Artemis 1 Mission will enable astronauts to orbit the moon for the first time since 1972.

IFT provides non-destructive testing, paint, and Chemical Conversion Coatings on rocket components, including the SLS fuel tanks and the Orion spacecraft which will deliver astronauts deep into space for continued exploration of the moon and eventually travel to Mars.

“It is incredibly satisfying as a trusted metal finishing advisor and supplier to watch a live launch of a spacecraft knowing that Imagineering processed some of the components being carried into space,” said Jim Hammer, CEO of Imagineering Finishing Technologies (IFT).

IFT has been an integral part of NASA’s next-generation space program over the last 10 years. In 2012, IFT was contacted by a prime NASA contractor about processing one of the first components for the Orion spacecraft as a trusted metal finishing and testing advisor. In fact, IFT’s technical team led by Dan Englebert, VP Technical Services collaborated with Global Specialty Chemical and the contractor’s engineers to develop the proper chemical process. Englebert went on to further say “I was impressed with the collective intellectual capital that went into the success of this world-class process.”

According to Nick Hammer, IFT Facilities Manager, “With the successful prototyping processing of those initial components, we received a request from the contractor to establish a proprietary process to prototype an 18-foot dome cap for the fuel tank on the SLS rocket.  Hammer continued “we accepted the challenge, this time requiring us to make significant modifications to our Indianapolis plant layout and co-invest with them to build a permanent processing system to manage those parts.”

Since the first project, IFT has processed hundreds of large components for NASA’s Space Launch System platform. In 2018, the company was recognized by NASA as an appreciated supplier for its support of the Space Launch System (SLS).

 

  • MORE –

To learn more about the Artemis program, please visit https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

To imagine the possibilities of meeting your most stringent aerospace component processing requirements, please email knowledgesource@iftworldwide.com

 

 

Additional Resources                                                                                                   

 

 

About Imagineering Finishing Technologies

Imagineering Finishing Technologies (IFT) is the industry KnowledgeSource™ for metal finishing solutions. Through our commitment to the principles of Total Quality Management, IFT provides high-performance surface finishing solutions for a robust range of markets that address the most exacting application requirements. Our focus on quality, accountability, applications expertise, and integrity is trusted and relied upon by leading manufacturers and OEMs.

Imagineering founded in 1959 by David Huber, a space scientist, recently stated “I’m extremely proud of the current management talent and company’s growth over past 63 + years of operation”. IFT facilities are certified to world class quality and environmental standards, and we are one of the first metal finishing companies in the world to achieve TS-16949, ISO 9001, AS 9100 and Nadcap quality program accreditations, in addition to attaining the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification.

August 12, 2021 Imagineering Finishing Technologies Finds Unique Ways to Coat the Sometimes Impossible

Imagineering Finishing Technologies Finds Unique Ways to Coat the Sometimes Impossible

Published August 12, 2021

by Tim Pennington, Editor -in-Chief, finishingandcoating.com

 

When David Huber got the idea in 1959 to start a finishing company that could help solve everyday engineering problems related to wear and corrosion of metallic substrates, he didn’t have to think long about what to call it.

Huber had based his college metallurgy thesis at Notre Dame on the concept of imaginative engineering, which is finding unique ways to do what seems impossible to do and doing it in a manner that increased value to the customer.

So, Huber — who helped to develop one of the first dry-film lubricant coatings — called his South Bend, Indiana, company Imagineering to initially serve the aerospace and automotive industries.

Heavily Involved in Space Flight

 Hammer“Many of Imagineering’s customers are involved in space flight operations,” says Jim Hammer, owner, and CEO of the company, who joined the firm in 1982 and succeeded ownership from his father-in-law David Huber in 1996.

Among the many clients that Imagineering consults and provides metal finishing processes include aerospace giants Boeing, Lockheed, Blue Origin and Space X. In 2018, they were recognized by NASA as an appreciated supplier for its support on the Space Launch System (SLS). Imagineering provides non-destructive testing, paint and Chemfilm on rocket components such as the Orion spacecraft which will deliver Astronauts deep into space for continued exploration of the moon and eventually travel to Mars.

In fact, Imagineering modified its Indianapolis facility to accommodate large chemical treatment tanks so that it could process rocket parts of 18 feet or wide in diameter.

“It is incredibly satisfying to watch a live launch of a spacecraft knowing that Imagineering processed some of the components being carried into space,” Hammer says.

Read more, including:

·        Serving a More Critical End-Use Customer Base

·        Serving a More Critical End-Use Customer Base

·        Two Plants in South Bend and One in Indianapolis

·        Pride in Working Closely with Customers

·        Constant Planning and Collaboration

July 6, 2021 Imagineering Publishes Capabilities Guide

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, USA, July 6, 2021 – Imagineering Finishing Technologies (IFT) has published a new guide which includes its recent aluminum anodizing services. The guide summarizes the company’s following capabilities:

Mechanical and chemical cleaning services are offered, in addition to expertise in coating weight, salt spray and humidity testing.

The capability guide also provides a partial listing of MIL-specs Imagineering consistently meets or exceeds. Furthermore, the company maintains the highest standards and qualifications in the industry, including ISO 9001 (International), ISO 14001 (Environmental), as well as being ITAR registered and NADCAP Merit Status accredited for Chem Processing and NDT (PT/MT).

Andrew McDonald, IFT’s Vice President, Business Intelligence and Continuous Improvement, said, “The new guide highlights our ever-expanding service offerings that is backed by our well-established track record of delivering plated part consistency and fast turnaround expertise.”

To download the guide, please click here.

About Imagineering Finishing Technologies

Imagineering Finishing Technologies (IFT) is the industry KnowledgeSource™ for metal finishing solutions. Through our commitment to the principles of Total Quality Management, IFT provides high-performance surface finishing solutions for a robust range of markets that address the most exacting application requirements. Our focus on quality, accountability, applications expertise and integrity is trusted and relied upon by leading manufacturers and OEMs.

IFT facilities are certified to world-class quality and environmental standards, and we are one of the first metal finishing companies in the world to achieve TS-16949, ISO 9001, AS 9100 and Nadcap quality program accreditations, in addition to attaining the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification.