(SAE International: Troy, MI) -- Northrop Grumman Corp. recently celebrated the grand opening of its Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) at the company’s Space Park facility in Redondo Beach, California. The 5500-ft² laboratory was inspired and developed by a group of more than 70 employees, providing both engineers and non-engineers a space to share concepts, innovate, and hatch the next big idea.

A collaboration space features comfortable chairs, carpeting, and a wall that doubles as a whiteboard for brainstorming. The manufacturing area 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. The 3-D printer allows rapid prototyping of parts and models that could affect existing programs.

A Northrop Grumman executive said FabLab gives employees “hands-on access to a range of tools, equipment and materials, and the freedom to turn their ideas into reality.”

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