Author
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Topic: Unique-shape, blue fit-check (?) shuttle tile
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Rocket Chris Member Posts: 342 From: Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 02-09-2011 07:40 AM
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
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posted 04-06-2011 02:40 AM
... 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
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posted 04-06-2011 02:13 PM
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
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posted 04-07-2011 12:19 AM
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
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posted 04-07-2011 07:35 PM
Check your inbox Chris. You'll really like the image I sent. |
Rocket Chris Member Posts: 342 From: Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 04-08-2011 04:45 AM
Thanks, bro! Now I can imagine how "tile machining" works |
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 04-08-2011 11:23 AM
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. |
Rob Joyner Member Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-08-2011 07:27 PM
"Immediate DISCIPLINARY ACTION"Serious stuff! |