Futuramic Tool and Engineering – Embracing Change
Article From The Deep Space Coalition website
Originally Posted: July 31, 2017
The world is always changing. Many people say that the world is getting smaller every day, but not at Futuramic Tool and Engineering (FTE), or any of the other companies who are partnered in support of public and private space exploration and enterprise.
FTE was founded over 60 years ago as a small, privately-held, tooling shop supporting the automotive industry. Fast forward to 2017, FTE is still privately-held by the founding family and has grown to include three major facilities on three separate campuses with over 250 employees. As the auto industry significantly downsized in the late 1990’s it became clear that FTE could no longer expect to fuel its growth from automotive market. FTE made a conscious effort to diversify its customer base into a variety of markets. The transition from automotive focus to aerospace has had its challenges, but FTE has embraced the change and thrived, causing our world to grow dramatically as we move into deep space exploration support. As a member of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, we are looking into the future once again. We expect the world to keep growing..
FTE is proud to be a supplier to the Space Launch System (SLS), America’s deep space exploration launch vehicle. Over the last five years FTE has made numerous friction stir weld tools, assembly tools, platforms, overhead lift devices and structural simulators for use by Boeing in the construction of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at the NASA Michoud Assembly Center in New Orleans, Louisiana (MAF).
Photo courtesy of NASA.
It was a momentous day at FTE when the Engine Section and structural simulator shipped from MAF to the test facility at the Marshal Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on the Pegasus barge. FTE has contributed to almost every component. The Engine Section was built on tooling designed and built by FTE and includes structural components machined by FTE. The Structural Simulator was built by FTE using a unique manufacturing process to insure dimensional accuracy. The OHME lifting the assembly was designed and built by FTE, including a custom proof load system. On the right side of the image is the modular removable Cell “A” platform designed and built by FTE.
Engine Section Assembly Tool designed and built by Futuramic.
The FTE fabrication facility is not your normal weld shop. At Futuramic we apply the same discipline to fabrication as we do our machining facilities. The Futuramic fabrication facility is clean, bright and well organized. Our associates are highly trained with extensive experience and usestate-of-the-art equipment. The FTE Fabrication facility features:
- Automated Documentation Management and Material Certification Traceability System
- In-house CWI
- ALL Welding Associates are AWS Certified
- Extensive Experience in Cutting, Forming and Welding All Material
To read the full article please visit: The Deep Space Coalition web site.