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  Unique-shape, blue fit-check (?) shuttle tile

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Author Topic:   Unique-shape, blue fit-check (?) shuttle tile
Rocket Chris
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Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 02-09-2011 07:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rocket Chris   Click Here to Email Rocket Chris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Recently I owned a Shuttle tile with a unique shape. Curious about it I would like to know if someone can tell me more about this one.

I owned the tile without any scrap paperwork, although the tile is scrap tagged.

The tile is quite light and seems to be made of a kind of foam. It is a little bent (probably for the area of the reaction control system / the black strip on the shuttle nose).
As I know fit check tiles are just green. This one has a dark blue colour. Therefore I guess that its also a kind of demonstration of fit check tile.

On the tile there is a faded yellow ID code. The same code is in white on the tile again:

FWD307-1 121-203
OML P1 OV 103
T36656
V070391020-393

Has anyone a clue about the tile?

Rocket Chris
Member

Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 04-06-2011 02:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rocket Chris   Click Here to Email Rocket Chris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
... so mysteries are finally cleared. The "tile" I owned is quite rare item. Due to my FOIA request at JSC I finally got a great response: Its a tracer pattern for machining the original tile. Its like a negative that is used in a kind of key-machine. The outline and shape from the negative will be transferred onto the TPS material and automatically cut out.

The JSC provided the whole paperwork to that item. I guess this one is also a great item of history concerning the building of Discovery. Due that fact I didn't know that the original tiles were made this way.

Joel Katzowitz
Member

Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 04-06-2011 02:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joel Katzowitz   Click Here to Email Joel Katzowitz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Chris, somewhere I have a photo of a tile being machined using a template such as the one you have. If you're interested, I'll try to dig it up and email it to you.

Rocket Chris
Member

Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 04-07-2011 12:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rocket Chris   Click Here to Email Rocket Chris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Joel that would be great. I guess many of us didn't know that the tiles were made this way.

Joel Katzowitz
Member

Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 04-07-2011 07:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Joel Katzowitz   Click Here to Email Joel Katzowitz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Check your inbox Chris. You'll really like the image I sent.

Rocket Chris
Member

Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 04-08-2011 04:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rocket Chris   Click Here to Email Rocket Chris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks, bro! Now I can imagine how "tile machining" works

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 04-08-2011 11:23 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Related to this thread, here is a tile fit check instrument. This was held against the orbiter first, a measurement taken, and then pressed against the back of the tile. If all the lights glowed it was within spec to install the tile. The item says it is accurate to .005 inches. This is a very old piece and I'm not sure if it's used anymore. It is serial no. 001. I also don't understand how the RTV glue, which would seem to take up any irregularities, plays into this situation.

Tile Check 1

Tile Check 2

Rob Joyner
Member

Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 04-08-2011 07:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rob Joyner   Click Here to Email Rob Joyner     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
"Immediate DISCIPLINARY ACTION"

Serious stuff!

All times are CT (US)

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