Friction Welder

2 photos · 2018

2 photographs tagged Friction Welder, 2018.

Boeing Dome Section on ISTIR Welder NASA Michoud — At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, Boeing engineers operate a PAR Systems I-STIR Friction-Stir Welder. This specialized equipment is used to join massive aluminum dome sections, which are critical components for next-generation aerospace vehicles such as the Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis program. The friction-stir welding process forges metal under intense pressure and heat without melting it, producing welds with exceptional structural integrity for rocket fuel tanks and spacecraft pressure vessels. Michoud has a significant history in spaceflight hardware production, having previously manufactured components for the Saturn V rockets and Space Shuttle external tanks. The facility continues its role as a key national center for large-scale precision manufacturing and assembly of spaceflight hardware, supporting ongoing deep space exploration.

Friction Stir Dome Assembly at NASA Michoud — At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, a large aluminum dome section for the Space Launch System (SLS) undergoes friction-stir welding. This advanced technique, performed by a PAR Systems I-Stir Friction Welder, joins thick aerospace materials by using frictional heat and mechanical pressure to create strong, defect-free joints without melting the metal. Boeing engineers utilize this precision process for critical rocket and space vehicle components, supporting the Artemis program's deep space exploration missions. The Michoud facility has a long history of large-scale fabrication for space programs, including the Saturn V and Space Shuttle, continuing its legacy as a vital center for American spaceflight infrastructure.

Built in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Photographer

An ongoing archive of work.

Facebook Instagram Threads X Bluesky Flickr

© 1996–2026 Chad Davis