REDONDO BEACH, Calif.,
Oct. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ask
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) where employees will come
up with ideas for some of the nation's most critical aerospace
technologies, and the answer you'll likely get is "FabLab,"
shorthand for the Fabrication Laboratory, which opened this month
at the company's Space Park facility.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=28616.
Company officials, civic leaders and hundreds of employees were
on hand for the grand opening of the 5,500-square-foot laboratory
that was inspired and developed by the employees themselves. It
promises to give both engineers and non-engineers a space to share
concepts, innovate and hatch the next big idea.
"FabLab is founded on the grassroots spirit of invention at the
heart of Northrop Grumman's culture," said Peggy Nelson, vice president, engineering and
global product development, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
"Built by and for employees, it will give them hands-on access to a
range of tools, equipment and materials, and the freedom to turn
their ideas into reality. We're really excited to see what new
ideas will emerge from this environment of imagination,
collaboration and opportunity."
The creation and launch of FabLab was a labor of love by a group
of more than 70 employees who suggested that the company create the
space. Tony Long, a radio
frequency/microwave design engineer who spearheaded the effort,
believes that such innovation spaces are central to new concepts
gaining momentum across the aerospace industry.
By design, FabLab's creative energy makes functionality and fun
converge. Quotes by innovators such as Einstein and Tesla
cover one wall. A collaboration space features comfortable chairs,
carpeting and a wall that doubles as a whiteboard for
brainstorming.
The manufacturing space itself boasts a full complement of tools
and equipment. Employees can fabricate metal using jet lathes and a
jet milling machine. A large selection of saws enables all manner
of woodwork. Electronics work can be accomplished using the optical
bench and soldering station, while the 3-D printer allows rapid
prototyping of parts and models that could impact existing
programs.
"FabLab is not a 'nice-to-have,' it's a smart business
investment," Long said. "By empowering innovators to create
intellectual property, accelerate technology and improve design, we
can better meet our customers' needs."
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121024/LA98563LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northrop-grumman-opens-innovation-lab-to-drive-creativity-180652257.html
SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation