Quickparts Assists in 2008 NASA Government Invention of the Year

ATLANTA, GA : Quickparts, one of North America's largest providers of custom designed parts, from rapid prototyping to production parts, recently completed a project known as the Mold Impression Laser Tool (MILT) for NASA's Ames Research Center which allowed them to take home the 2008 NASA Government Invention of the Year.

The MILT, a hand-held instrument used to scan space shuttle tiles to detect and measure the amount of any damage, encompasses a high speed three-dimensional laser scanner with real time processing.

The MILT unit wirelessly transmits flaw dimensions and location information to a laptop computer, enabling the operator to easily take measurements up to several meters away, unencumbered by cables. Several MILT instruments are currently in use at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, where they provide accurate and reliable tile flaw information for the space shuttle maintenance crews.

In addition, MILT technology has been adapted for use in other NASA programs, including the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the Stardust Sample Return Capsule Program, and the Mars and Lunar Rover Programs.

"Quickparts is very excited to be part of the process that creates award winning custom parts for our friends at NASA. The MILT scanner is an excellent example of a team that believes in bringing technology and innovation together for the purpose of helping mankind," said Ron Hollis, CEO and President, Quickparts.