for complex geometries
on milled features
available on prototypes
Houston projects
CNC Machined Composite Tooling for Aerospace Teams
Aerospace composite teams in Houston need tooling that is accurate, stable, and ready for autoclave. We machine aluminum and Invar layup molds, cure tools, and caul plates to tight surface tolerances. AS9100D-aligned documentation available.
Tooling Materials
Aluminum, Invar, and HDB with full material traceability.
Surface Accuracy
Ra 32 µin or better on mold faces. CMM inspection available.
Tooling Docs
Dimensional reports and material certs for tooling qualification.
Mission Control and Beyond
Houston's aerospace ecosystem centers on NASA's Johnson Space Center — home to human spaceflight operations, the Orion program, and commercial crew coordination. Boeing's Starliner team, Axiom Space building the first commercial space station, Intuitive Machines developing lunar landers, and Collins Aerospace's EVA suit division all operate in the Clear Lake corridor.
RivCut supports Houston aerospace teams with AS9100D-aligned machining, flight-hardware traceability, and fixed lead times that keep your NASA deliverables on schedule.
NASA Johnson Space Center
Human spaceflight operations, Orion program, and Mission Control
Axiom Space
First commercial space station development and ISS missions
Intuitive Machines
Lunar landers and space services for NASA CLPS program
Collins Aerospace (Houston)
EVA spacesuits and life support systems for ISS and Artemis
What Houston Aerospace Teams Usually Order
| Typical quantity | 1-25 parts per order, often prototype or qualification quantities |
|---|---|
| Common materials | Aluminum 7075-T6, Titanium Ti-6Al-4V, 17-4 PH Stainless Steel |
| Key requirement | Full material traceability with mill certifications and a Certificate of Conformance, plus ITAR compliance for JSC-adjacent programs |
| Typical lead time | 5-15 business days depending on part complexity and material availability |
| Who orders | Mechanical engineers or procurement specialists at aerospace contractors, often supporting NASA JSC programs or commercial space development teams |
Composite Tooling for Houston Teams
Layup molds, cure tools, caul plates, and trim fixtures machined to print.
Layup Molds
Aluminum and Invar layup mold tools. Precise OML/IML surfaces, vacuum port locations, and edge dams.
Al & InvarCure Tools
Invar and aluminum autoclave cure tools with precise surface match and thermal expansion control.
Invar 36Caul Plates
Aluminum and steel caul plates for pressure application on composite laminates. Flat and contoured surfaces.
Flatness to 0.005"Trim Fixtures
Aluminum trim jigs and router templates for composite part trimming. Precise edge and hole locations.
Router guidesDrill Templates
Aluminum and carbon-reinforced drill templates for composite assembly. Bushed holes for tight location.
Drill bushingsInspection Fixtures
Aluminum CMM inspection fixtures for composite part verification. Precise datum features.
CMM fixtures2 Tools. 12 Days. Cure-Stable Surfaces.
A Clear Lake composites team needed Invar layup tools with precise contour surfaces, vacuum port locations, and thermal stability for autoclave cure cycles. Teams near companies like NASA Johnson Space Center trust this kind of precision and documentation rigor.
Every tool shipped with complete documentation:
- CMM dimensional report — contour and datum features verified
- Material cert with heat lot and ASTM A658 compliance
- Surface finish verification on tool surface
- Dimensional stability verification post stress-relief
What Houston Aerospace Buyers Should Know
Ensure your supplier understands NASA-STD-5009 fracture control requirements
Johnson Space Center programs frequently mandate fracture-critical machining documentation.
Verify cleanroom-compatible packaging if your parts are destined for ISS or Orion hardware
contamination control starts at the machine shop.
Ask for flight-hardware traceability including raw material source, heat lot, and serialized process records
Axiom and Intuitive Machines require full pedigree.
When Your Local Shop Can't Keep Up
When a prime surges volume, local shops push you back in the queue. We give you fixed lead times, instant quoting, and aerospace-grade documentation — every time. Houston's aerospace sector demands it.
Documentation-Ready
Dimensional reports, material certs, and process records ship with every order — no chasing paperwork after delivery.
Full Material Traceability
Every bar ships with mill certs and heat lot numbers. Full chain of custody from raw stock to finished part.
CMM Inspection, Every Part
NIST-traceable CMM verification on every critical dimension before anything ships. No sampling — we inspect every part.
5–7 Day Prototype Turnaround
Most first articles ship in under a week. Rush available for simpler geometries. Confirmed ship date at order.
Need our full quality documentation? Email us — we'll send everything your team needs.
From File to Part in 3 Steps
Simple, clear, and designed for fast-moving teams.
Upload & Quote
Upload your STEP or IGES file, select material and finish, and get an instant AI price. Every quote includes a free DFM review.
We Machine & Inspect
Parts run on our CNC mills and lathes with CMM inspection on every order. We verify every critical dimension before shipping.
Ship with Full Docs
Your order ships with dimensional reports, material certs, and full paperwork — everything your quality team needs.
Questions from Houston Aerospace Teams
Aerospace CNC Machining in Other Cities
We serve aerospace teams in cities across the US.
Upload Your CAD File
Composite Tooling, structural brackets, housings, and more — we machine them all. Most orders ship in 5 to 7 business days.
No minimums · 100% Made in USA · Never brokered · Ships anywhere in the US
Currently accepting new projects