West End builds specialised transport containers for spacecraft flight hardware or astronomy optical hardware.
Both types of hardware often need integrated handling, vacuum conditions and shock absorption.
Containers for large space related items require special consideration due to the size constraints for transportation and for the very high value and sensitive nature of the contents. Well known projects regarding containers and MGSE are Tropomi, Galileo, Bepicolombo and Sentinel 5.
West End specialises in the development and manufacture of transport adapters for the exceptional transport of delicate and complex apparatus, such as satellites.
Transport adapters are the connection between the transport containers and the cargo to be transported, providing support and protection.
Services
West End has had its own engineering department since the 1970s. The drawing office has kept up with the technological developments over the years. Our engineers provide the manufacturing department with production drawings
FEM analyses
We can also perform analyses for the components in a system that need to bear heavy loads, using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Our engineering department helps our customers with these calculations which determine (operational) reliability. We also use the FEM analyses for the final choice of materials and the details of the product geometry.
West End offers solutions for the refurbishment of old, existing systems through to the manufacture of new ‘special hardware’. Our engineering department provides indispensable support in the detailed design and system documentation.
Product documentation
During the entire manufacturing process, and often afterwards as well, our engineers remain involved in the products we make or repair. This results in detailed product documentation, where changes for the manufacture or modifications received from the customer are documented meticulously. This provides great advantages in maintenance, refurbishment or repairs in the future.
As-built drawings
West End Machinefabriek can also make ‘as-built drawings’. Changes to the product for manufacturing efficiency are updated in the CAD model and the production drawings, making it simple to duplicate in the future.
Built to spec
Using your requirements and specifications as a basis, our engineering department can develop the product design in greater detail and prepare it for manufacture. Our engineers also perform FEM calculations, to check critical construction elements and the final choice of materials. Of course the assembly drawings and detailed drawings are guaranteed for refurbishment, reconstruction and production documentation purposes.
Built to print
West End can also use the 3D models and detailed drawings supplied to switch quickly to producing parts or products. Precisely in accordance with the instructions, specifications and requirements.
High Precision, huge parts
West End also uses 3D measurement technology for the quality assurance, allowing us to provide the product documentation with 3D measurement reports. This is done using a 3D measurement arm. West End can also measure large frames and systems with our 3D optical measuring equipment.
