SERVICES

Alva Labs offers a range of mechanical design, analysis, build, and test services to help our clients reach their goals

SPACECRAFT

With multiple generations of spacecraft hardware in orbit, Alva Labs knows what it takes to make it to space

  • Conceptual: Spacecraft sizing, Initial power modelling

  • Configuration: Bus & Deployable layout, Primary structure and load paths, Harnessing

  • Detail Design: End to end unit design for Cameras, Star Trackers, Reaction Wheels, Actuators, Magnetorquers, Solar Arrays, Pointing Mechanisms, Antennas, PCBA integration, Ground Support Equipment

  • Payload Design: Component selection, Layout, and Waveguide routing, Split block design

  • Analysis: Global spacecraft FEM creation and management, Loads development, Margins reporting for components, fasteners, and adhesives

  • Manufacturing: Metallic and composite component sourcing, vendor management, Nonconformance disposition

  • Assembly: Clean room assembly of structures, precision mechanisms, harnesses, and enclosures

  • Testing: Test specifications and execution for Bus and Unit qualification, protoqual, and acceptance. Vibration, Shock, Static testing, Ambient Thermal, TVAC

AIRCRAFT

No strangers to first flights, Alva Labs is here to help make yours happen

  • Conceptual: Initial sizing, Drag buildup, Weight and balance

  • Configuration: Vehicle Layout and Trade Studies, Control system

  • Detail Design: Outer Mold Line development, Master Modelling, Detail CAD w/ GD&T Drawings

  • Analysis: Structural sizing via hand calcs and aeroshell FEM. Flight envelope load case definition, Detail joint design and analysis

  • Manufacturing: Network of suppliers who can deliver hardware that meets requirements, Composite wet lamination, Vacuum infusion

  • Assembly: Extensive hands on build and prototyping experience, Bonded assemblies

  • Testing: Flight testing, Static load testing

LAUNCH VEHICLES

At the intersection of air and space, Launch vehicles require extreme engineering that Alva Labs is here to support

  • Conceptual: structures sizing and load paths, thermal protection systems, system-level optimization, assembly and integration flow, requirements definition

  • Detail Design: Actuation systems, Composite fairings and aero cover design, Ground support equipment, Production CAD and GD&T Drawings

  • Analysis: Component and structural FEM creation and management, Loads development with dynamics, thermal, and aero teams

  • Testing: Structural and thermal testing including Vibration, Shock, Static, Ambient Thermal, TVAC

EVERYTHING ELSE

Even if your project doesn’t fit into any of the categories listed above, Alva Labs would be happy to discuss what sort of support we could offer. Some of our competencies outside of aerospace include:

  • Fabrication & Prototyping

  • System Testing

  • Reverse Engineering

  • Sheet-metal Design

  • Product design

software we use

Design: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks is the preferred CAD package for most projects but we can implement solutions in the program of your choosing ranging from Siemens NX to Fusion360

Analysis: Simcenter Femap with the NASTRAN solver is the standard analysis package at Alva Labs. Femap enables the generation of professional finite element models that you can trust. Project support with Ansys is also available.

  • SOLIDWORKS

  • SIMCENTER FEMAP NASTRAN

    SIEMENS

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