for complex geometries
on milled features
available on prototypes
San Diego projects
CNC Machined Composite Tooling for Aerospace Teams
Aerospace composite teams in San Diego 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.
Unmanned Systems and Advanced Aerospace
San Diego is a global leader in unmanned aerospace systems — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems designs and builds Predator and Reaper UAS platforms in Poway, Northrop Grumman's Rancho Bernardo campus produces Global Hawk and Triton components, and L3Harris's San Diego operations support ISR payloads. NASSCO's naval shipyard, Cubic Defense, and dozens of satellite and avionics companies round out the cluster.
RivCut delivers AS9100-quality machining to San Diego aerospace teams with instant quoting and fixed lead times — UAS structural components, gimbal housings, and sensor mounts that meet General Atomics and Northrop specs.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Predator, Reaper, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS in Poway
Northrop Grumman (Rancho Bernardo)
Global Hawk and Triton UAS components and integration
L3Harris
ISR payloads, sensors, and communication systems
Cubic Defense
Air combat training systems and mission support
What San Diego Aerospace Teams Usually Order
| Typical quantity | 5–25 first articles · 25–100 low-rate production |
|---|---|
| Common materials | Aluminum 7075-T6 |
| Key requirement | Full cert package: material traceability, FAI report, ITAR compliance |
| Typical lead time | 7–15 business days based on material and complexity |
| Who orders | Engineers and procurement managers at defense primes and aerospace startups |
Composite Tooling for San Diego 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 San Diego-area composites team needed Invar layup tools with precise contour surfaces, vacuum port locations, and thermal stability for autoclave cure cycles. Teams near companies like General Atomics Aeronautical Systems 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 San Diego Aerospace Buyers Should Know
Confirm your supplier's experience with UAS-specific structures
General Atomics programs require lightweight, high-strength machining for airframes designed around sensor payloads.
Ask about gimbal and sensor mount machining
San Diego's ISR cluster requires precision bores, spherical surfaces, and thermal-stable materials for pointing accuracy.
Verify ITAR registration and CUI handling
virtually all General Atomics and Northrop Grumman UAS programs carry export control restrictions.
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. San Diego'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 San Diego 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