NEXIS is a scalable and modular family of integrated systems designed to deliver unparalleled performance in radar cross-section measurement, material studies, antenna characterization, and more. Built on the trusted InfiniScan platform, NEXIS introduces cutting-edge modular technology building blocks, enabling tailored system configurations for virtually any test environment—whether on the flightline, in manufacturing, or in engineering research and design settings.

With unmatched collection speed and measurement sensitivity, NEXIS features automated scanning in a compact, agile footprint, dramatically increasing throughput while ensuring the highest data fidelity to meet and exceed mission requirements.

The NEXIS system supports standard measurement profiles such as Linear, Circular, and Inverse SAR, while also pushing the limits with advanced capabilities including Squinted SAR, Contour Following, Great Circle Matching, and automated 2D Raster Scans for 3D imaging.

Additional standout features include:

• Wide frequency coverage from VHF to Ka band
• Tool-free, interchangeable payloads
• Full polarization matrix support
• External ports for antenna measurements or bi-static collections
• Intuitive acquisition software and comprehensive data processing tools
• Output compatibility with SABER, PulSAR, Knowbell, and the SDS database

“NEXIS is more than a product—it’s the culmination of over 30 years of innovation and field-proven experience,” said John Ashton, General Manager/RF Systems Business Unit Manager at Sensor Concepts. “It represents a bold step forward in delivering agile, mission-ready inspection system for current and future platforms.”

Sensor Concepts has a deep legacy of providing field-level measurement systems for 5th and 6th generation platforms. With NEXIS, the company reinforces its commitment to delivering precision-engineered solutions that meet the evolving needs of the aerospace and defense communities.

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Raptor Scientific is dedicated to providing high-quality, carefully planned training in Mass Properties and Balancing. Instruments are available for hands-on measurement exercises. Since class size is kept small, the seminars are customized to meet the needs of the participants. The seminars present a structured program and leave the last 1/2 day (or more) to specific application problems posed by the participants.

See more and sign up today!

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Northrop Grumman, a global leader in aerospace and defense technology, selected Raptor Scientific’s RFS Division (Sensor Concepts) from a competitive pool of over 10,000 suppliers. This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Derek Coppinger, CEO of Raptor Scientific, expressed his pride in receiving this honor: “Northrop Grumman has been a valued partner for decades. This award underscores our shared values and mission focus. We are truly honored and look forward to continuing our strong, strategic relationship.”

Raptor Scientific’s core capabilities include advanced test and measurement solutions, which are critical to ensuring the success of complex missions. Our team remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering superior capabilities to our customers.

Thank you to Northrop Grumman for this recognition. We are excited to continue our journey of excellence and innovation together.

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Raptor Scientific is proud to announce the opening of our new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, designed to advance the engineering, development, and production of cutting-edge thermal sensors. This facility marks a major milestone in our commitment to delivering precision-engineered and manufactured solutions for aerospace, defense, and high-tech industries. Learn more about the new facility and products here.

Product Spotlight – KSR Series

The KSR series is our flagship line of center of gravity and moment of inertia measurement instruments. The line features four sizes of machines spanning payload mass ranges between a few lbs up to 23,000 lbs, and does so with unprecedented measurement accuracy. In most situations the measurement accuracy of the instrument is at least an order of magnitude better than the fixture and payload datums. Aside from making the basic measurements, our customers uniquely use this accuracy to their advantage to help diagnose and solve problems with the fixture and payload geometry.

The measurement dynamic range is another area where the KSR line excels. Because of this measurement accuracy, the instrument maintains usability well below the payload rating of the machine. An example would be where a KSR330 (max payload capacity of 330 lbs), is often used to measure payloads down to a few lbs while locating the CG within a few thousandths of an inch. There are not many, if at all, all-purpose mass properties instruments that can remotely approach this level of performance.

The KSR series measures two axes of CG and one axis of MOI simultaneously without unmounting the payload and reconfiguring the machine between CG and MOI. Also, the aforementioned high dynamic range satisfies almost all measurement uncertainty requirements without having to mechanically change out “calibrated” springs and other components. Simply put, no modifications to the KSR instrument are needed to cover a wide range of test articles and to measure multiple mass properties in one set-up. The high-accuracy outlined above also provides for the ability to balance test objects. All measurement instruments can measure mass properties (to some degree) but not all mass properties machines are balancing machines. The extraordinary sensitivity of the KSR line allows for precise balancing in a way other providers cannot.

Summer Highlights

Raptor Scientific has been actively participating in a series of major industry events over the past few months, engaging with thought leaders, showcasing our latest innovations, and gaining insights to advance our mission of delivering precision test and measurement solutions. Here are some key takeaways from our participation

NCSLI Symposium, Denver, CO

The 2024 NCSLI Symposium provided a platform for metrology and calibration experts from around the world. Raptor Scientific highlighted our cutting-edge test and measurement systems, including:

• Showcasing our Pressure and Temperature Testing Instruments that are pivotal in maintaining equipment reliability in various applications.
• Discussing the integration and machine learning in test automation, providing more efficient and cost-effective testing methods.

The event allowed us to explore new calibration trends and reinforce our commitment to providing superior accuracy and reliability in critical testing environments.

Space & Missile Defense Symposium, Huntville, AL

At the Space & Missile Defense Symposium, Raptor Scientific engaged with key stakeholders from the defense community, discussing the evolving needs in missile defense systems and space operations. Event highlights included:

• Showcasing our Mass Properties Measurement Solutions, which offer high accuracy for defense applications.
• Showcasing our Thermal Couples and Heat Flux Transducers, used to measure extreme conditions in aerospace applications.
• Participating in discussions on emerging threats and the role of advanced testing solutions in national defense.

We were thrilled to meet with defense contractors and military officials to discuss how our testing capabilities support critical defense programs.

IEEE Autotestcon, National Harbor, MD

IEEE Autotestcon focused on the future of automated testing systems in aerospace and defense. Raptor Scientific featured our innovative solutions for streamlining and automating complex test environments. Key highlights included:

• Showcasing our Pressure and Temperature Testing Instruments that are pivotal in maintaining equipment reliability in aerospace and defense applications.
• Showcasing Air Data which garnered significant interest from attendees for their precision in flight systems calibration.

This event reinforced the importance of automation in reducing testing time and enhancing precision across defense projects.

AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference, National Harbor, MD

At the AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Raptor Scientific connected with top military and aerospace leaders to discuss the future of air dominance. We showcased:

• Radar Cross Section (RCS) Testing Solutions, essential for stealth technology development
• Participating in discussions on emerging threats and the role of advanced testing solutions in national defense.
• Engaged in discussions about the modernization of U.S. air, space, and cyber forces, and how our solutions can support the development of next-generation systems.

Our participation underscored Raptor Scientific’s commitment to supporting the U.S. Air Force with reliable, cutting-edge test and measurement technologies.

F-16 Technical Coordination Group (TCG) World Wide Review, Ogden, UT

The F-16 TCG World Wide Review brought together a global community of F-16 operators and maintainers. Raptor Scientific was proud to participate and showcase solutions vital to the sustainment and testing of the F-16 fleet:

• Demonstrating our Air Data Testing and Calibration Systems, which are used as Airspeed Indicators, to test and calibrate the airspeed indicators on the aircraft, they test and calibrate the altimeters on the aircraft providing critical data for the F-16 program.
• Engaging with global military representatives to discuss how our precision measurement tools contribute to F-16 operational readiness and fleet modernization efforts.

This event provided invaluable insight into the evolving needs of the global F-16 community and reaffirmed our role in ensuring long-term operational support for this iconic aircraft.

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Located in Huntsville, AL the new facility substantially increases the manufacturing footprint, allowing us to expand our product offerings, continue delivering high-performance thermal sensors, and provide quicker turnaround times on new orders. These sensors are critical to a range of applications, including aerospace testing, engine performance, and environmental control systems.

Key Products Manufactured at the New Facility

Heat Flux Transducers

Heat flux transducers are essential for measuring heat transfer, making them indispensable for thermal management and predictive modeling in aerospace and defense systems. Our new facility is fully equipped to design and produce high-precision heat flux transducers capable of performing in extreme conditions. The new facility enhances our ability to offer:

·     Customizable designs for specific applications.

·     Superior sensitivity and accuracy, even in high-temperature environments.

·     Durability and reliability, ensuring long-lasting performance in critical systems.

Thermocouples

Thermocouples are used extensively in temperature measurement for aerospace engines, environmental chambers, and defense applications. Our new facility enables us to innovate in thermocouple design, improving their performance and extending their lifecycle. Features of our new thermocouple features that include:

·     Fast response times for dynamic temperature changes during short-duration tests

·     Customizable Geometry allowing for the thermocouples to conform to nearly any control surface or required mounting conditions

·     Rugged Junctions allowing for temperature measurement in extreme environments.

Infrared Radiometers

Infrared radiometers are critical tools for measuring electromagnetic radiation in various aerospace and defense applications. Our new facility enhances our ability to provide radiometers with:

·     Enhanced sensitivity and accuracy in detecting infrared radiation across a broad spectrum.

·     Compact and rugged designs that can withstand harsh environments.

·     Custom calibration for specific use cases, ensuring the highest level of performance.

Facility Highlights: A Hub of Innovation

The new facility features cutting-edge production technologies, ensuring the highest level of precision and quality control. It will house engineering offices, manufacturing lines, and dedicated R&D spaces for continual product innovation. Our investment in these resources allows us to scale production, reduce lead times, and provide more efficient and reliable delivery of high-performance thermal systems to our customers.

Commitment to Excellence and Customer-centric Solutions

At Raptor Scientific, our goal is to exceed customer expectations by delivering precision-engineered solutions that meet the complex thermal management challenges faced by aerospace and defense industries. Our new facility not only enhances our manufacturing capacity but also reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Through this investment, we will continue to:

·     Offer customized thermal system solutions tailored to our customers’ specific requirements.

·     Deliver products with unmatched accuracy, reliability, and durability.

·     Provide end-to-end support, from product design and development to manufacturing and after-sales service.

Looking Ahead: Driving Future Innovations in Thermal Systems

As we expand our thermal systems product line, we remain committed to driving innovation and delivering the most advanced thermal measurement and management solutions in the industry. With this new facility, Raptor Scientific is well-positioned to meet the growing demands of our clients and to maintain our leadership position in providing thermal systems for aerospace, defense, and other high-tech sectors.

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The Future of Innovation

At Raptor Scientific, we pride ourselves on our extensive range of test and measurement capabilities. From Thermal Systems to Mass Properties and Radar Cross Section Measurement Instruments to Air Data Test Systems and more, our innovative solutions ensure the highest levels of accuracy, safety, and product reliability. Our commitment to excellence extends to our internship program, where we nurture and develop the next generation of industry leaders. Today, we are excited to introduce you to some of our talented interns who are making significant contributions to our groundbreaking work.

Katherine Edmister

Katherine who is from Raleigh, North Carolina, is working in our Huntsville, AL office with our Thermal Systems team. She is earning high school credit for her work toward her “The Academy of Finance” classes. General Manager Cynthia Brown is mentoring her as she learns about operations and other day-to-day workings at the facility.

Jackson Hafley

Jackson, who interned with us in the spring, has returned to our Huntsville location for the summer. Picking up where he left off, Jackson is being mentored by Rob Haddoc, as he builds 64 series Heat Flux Transducers which will be delivered to our customers this month.

Hayden Gunn

Hayden, a college freshman, is working with John Dickson and our Thermal Systems Group. He began his internship in May and has hit the ground running, building thermocouples for our customers.

Sebastian Soja

A freshman at the University of California at Davis, Sebastian joined our Pressure & Temperature Systems group in Woodland Hills, CA for an engineering summer internship program. He will be working with the production engineering team supporting them on various projects involving hands-on testing of calibration products manufactured by the company.

Trevor Drescher

Trevor, who will enter his senior year at Bucknell University this fall, is a mechanical engineering major and also working toward his minor in physics. He is interning this summer at the Physical Properties Systems group in Berlin, CT. Trevor is working with the engineering team on projects including support for mass properties measurements on the NASA lunar Viper rover, gimbal balance instruments, and various other activities.

Our interns bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a dedicated work ethic that align perfectly with Raptor Scientific’s mission of delivering unparalleled test and measurement solutions. Their contributions are not only valuable to our current projects but also essential to future advancements in the field.

We are proud to support and mentor these bright individuals, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and success. Their passion and expertise are vital to ensuring that, for our clients, failure is not an option.

Raptor Scientific remains committed to fostering talent and driving innovation. Our internship program is a testament to this commitment, providing hands-on experience and professional growth opportunities. We are excited to witness the incredible achievements our interns will undoubtedly bring to the industry.

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According to Newton’s Laws, objects will stay in their current state of motion unless something acts upon them. While Newton’s Laws are usually applied to linear motion, they also apply to rotation. A rotating object will continue to rotate unless a force acts on it. How quickly an object rotates depends on its mass properties and the force applied to it.

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Moment of inertia (MOI) describes the amount of force, or torque, required to change the rate of rotation of an object. Product of inertia (POI) reveals how an object might be imbalanced. The two are similar but have different overall applications in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of aircraft and spacecraft. Inaccurate measurements can result in system failure, thus machinery is used to enhance accuracy for such critical applications.

What Is Product of Inertia?

Product of inertia is a characteristic of an object that describes an imbalance relative to a set of coordinate axes. If the object’s mass is evenly distributed on the XY, YZ and ZX planes, there is no imbalance, and the POI is zero. Should the mass be distributed asymmetrically, the result is a non-zero POI, which will cause an imbalance with respect to the defined coordinate axes.

Better understanding of POI can be as simple as thinking of a tire on a motor vehicle. For a vehicle to be safe to drive, the tire must be balanced on the inside and the outside. If a tire is completely balanced, the weight of the wheel is evenly distributed around the tire and between the inside and outside of the rim.

Various factors can cause a tire to become imbalanced, such as uneven wear on the treads or damage to the wheel’s rim. In those instances, the tire is no longer perfectly round. When a person drives a vehicle with imbalanced tires, they are likely to notice vibrations and a bumpy ride when they drive.

POI is used to determine the principal axes of an object in flight. When the principal axes differ from the geometric axes, the flight pattern tends to be “wobbly”, but if you can determine the location of the imbalance and revert the POI back to zero, the “wobble” will disappear.

How to Calculate POI

When mass is distributed symmetrically, the POI will be zero. It can be calculated using the formula  IXY = ∫ xy dA. In this formula, “A” is the area of the object and “d” is the distance between the x and y axes. Although the target POI is zero, the value can be positive or negative. Whether POI is negative or positive depends largely on the reference axis used.

Often, it’s more accurate to measure the POI of an object rather than calculate it. There are several ways to measure POI and to make adjustments as needed. You can use a vertical two-plane spin balance machine to measure POI directly. With a spin balance machine, the payload spins around a defined axis, potentially producing imbalanced forces.

In some cases, it may not be possible to spin an object. As an example, satellites with solar panels might be damaged if spun. An alternative to spinning is to determine POI using the MOI method.

Using MOI to calculate POI isn’t as accurate as using a spin balance machine. The accuracy of the result depends on factors such as the characteristics of the payload, the quality of the MOI instruments used and the angles between the measurements that are used.

What Is Moment of Inertia?

Moment of inertia is also known as rotational inertia. MOI tells you how difficult it is to change the rotational velocity of an object on its axis. A baseball player swinging a bat is an example of rotational inertia, as is a ball swinging around a pole while attached by a tether.

The greater the mass of a particular point on the object and the greater the distance from the axis, the greater the MOI.

Stability is a critical element in the design and manufacturing of aerospace craft, and MOI is a property of mass that explains an object’s stability and the force needed to change its motion.

How to Calculate the Moment of Inertia

The formula to calculate moment of inertia is I=mr2, where “I” is inertia, “m” is mass and “r” is the radius or distance from the axis to the representative point of mass. Once you’ve calculated the moment of inertia formula, you can calculate other statics elements, like an object’s angular momentum and its rotational kinetic energy.

Rotational kinetic energy uses the formula K = Iω2, where “I” is the MOI and “ω” is the angular velocity of the object. Angular momentum uses the formula L = Iω. Another way to write the formula is T = IA, where “T” is torque,  “I” is inertia and “A” is rotational acceleration.

A formula to calculate MOI is often sufficient when the object is simple, such as a wheel or a single sphere. But a simple formula no longer suffices when calculating MOI for a complex object, such as an aircraft engine with multiple moving parts. You’d need to repeat the MOI formulas multiple times for each mass, then add the MOIs together to get an aggregate.

In this case, using an instrument to measure MOI is much more efficient. Raptor Scientific manufactures more than 50 instruments designed to measure MOI on objects ranging in size from less than one gram to more than 10,000 kilograms. Most of our instruments measure MOI using the principle of the inverted torsion pendulum. The object rests on a table and is attached to low-friction bearings. The bearings restrict the object’s motion, allowing only for pure rotation. A digital counter connects to a sensing device to determine the period of oscillation.

What Is the Difference Between Product of Inertia and Moment of Inertia?

While both POI and MOI are critical in aerospace and engineering applications, there are several notable differences between POI and MOI, the first of which is what they measure. POI refers to the symmetry of mass of an object relative to its coordinate axes. MOI reflects how difficult it is to change the rotational speed of an object about a defined axis. In other words, MOI describes the amount of torque required to change the rate of rotation of an object. POI, on the other hand, reveals how that object is imbalanced in motion.

Another notable difference between POI and MOI is the value of each. POI can be zero, or it can be negative or positive. In contrast, MOI is always positive. One way to remember that MOI is always positive is to remember that the mass of an object is always positive.

Remember, MOI is referenced to an axis while POI is referenced to a plane, such as XY, YZ or ZX.

Applications of POI vs. MOI

One of the uses of MOI is to determine how a mass will behave in response to a known torque. Torque is the measurement of the force needed to make an object rotate on an axis. It’s a vector quantity and is only used to measure rotation. Torque is calculated by multiplying force times distance.

When you know the MOI of an object and the torque, you can divide torque into the MOI to find the angular acceleration.

Understanding POI allows you to correct asymmetry or imbalance in an object. To improve symmetry and ensure a smoother flight or ride, your goal is to get POI to zero.

Instruments Used to Measure MOI

A very crude method of measuring MOI is to hang the object from a wire, then oscillate it. While the object oscillates, measure the time it takes for one oscillation.  Many variables can affect the results. The object is likely to swing back and forth or bounce up and down, affecting the accuracy of the timing. Furthermore, large or unusually shaped objects might be difficult to suspend.

Fortunately, multiple instruments are available to measure MOI accurately and efficiently. An inverted torsion pendulum allows you to get an exact measurement of the oscillation period of the object. When using the instrument, you rest the object on a rotary table at the top of the device. Low-friction air bearings support the table and object. These instruments allow for far more accurate and reliable measurements of MOI, especially for professional applications.

Among the benefits of using an inverted torsion pendulum to measure MOI are minimal fixturing, a well-defined axis and minimal computational techniques.

Using an inverted torsion pendulum is simple:

• The object is attached to the table and oscillated. A digital timer provides the time period of oscillation. The total moment of inertia is then determined by multiplying the oscillation time by the machine’s calibration constant.
• The object is taken off of the table. The table is then oscillated on its own to determine its tare moment of inertia.
• The tare moment of inertia is subtracted from the total moment of inertia with the object attached. The difference is the MOI of the object alone.

Raptor Scientific produces several MOI instruments that use an inverted torsion pendulum:

• XKR Series: The XKR series measures the MOI of objects ranging from 0.1 to 2.3 kilograms (kg). They are extremely accurate, with an accuracy of 0.1%.
• XR Series: Measure the MOI of objects up to 120 kg. They have an accuracy of 0.25% and are designed for general use.
• GB Series: Measure the MOI of heavier objects up to 6,800 kg. They are ideal for use in critical military and space applications. They have an accuracy of 0.1%.
• MP Series: Measure the MOI and center of gravity, as well as the weight, of objects up to 3,000 kg. They have an accuracy of 0.25%.
• KSR Series: Measure the MOI and center of gravity of objects up to 11,500 kg, with an accuracy of 0.1%.
• POI Series: Measure all types of mass properties, including MOI, of objects up to 10,500 kg. They have an accuracy of 0.1%.

Benefits of Measuring MOI

Using an instrument to measure MOI is often much faster than trying to calculate MOI. There are other reasons to measure rather than calculate MOI, such as :

• Lowered costs: Using an instrument to measure MOI takes less time than calculating, so your team of engineers can spend less time on rote calculations and more time on the things that matter most to your company.
• Increased accuracy: Instruments are often much more accurate than calculations, meaning you’ll enjoy fewer errors and instances of needing to return to the design process to fix issues.
• Improved quality control: Flight vehicles must have a certain MOI to ensure high performance. The greater accuracy of measuring MOI is likely to mean fewer quality control issues.

Instruments Used to Measure POI

A spin balance machine can measure POI on certain objects and is often the most commonly used instrument for measuring POI. Spin balance machines rotate the object at a set speed and then measure the reaction forces on the upper and lower bearings. The machines have a computer that calculates POI automatically, using the height of the center of gravity of the object and the spacing between the two bearings.

There are several benefits and drawbacks of using a spin balance machine for POI. The machines can be very sensitive, minimizing air turbulence and improving results. A drawback of this machine is that it can’t measure the POI of objects, such as satellites with large solar panels or control fins. In those cases, it might be more effective to use the MOI method.

Can You Use MOI to Measure POI?

Sometimes it’s not possible to use a spin balance machine to measure POI directly. These cases are usually due to the shape or size of the object. Some objects can’t be spun at all. An alternative is to use MOI measurements to calculate POI. Using MOI for POI isn’t as accurate as measuring POI directly, but is often the best alternative.

To use MOI to measure POI, you need to measure the object in six positions on a torsion pendulum. Once you have all six measurements, you can calculate the POI using rotational angles.

While this method lets you calculate POI on objects you otherwise wouldn’t be able to, it has some drawbacks. The process is long and arduous. It can take many hours to perform, adding to its overall cost. On the other hand, it often costs less than a spin-balancing machine and puts less stress on the object you’re measuring.

Measure POI and MOI with Space Electronics, a Raptor Scientific company

The product of inertia and the moment of inertia are critical calculations engineers make in many industries. Raptor Scientific has more than five decades of experience with mass properties measurement. We manufacture POI and MOI instruments and offer mass properties measurement services in our state-of-the-art laboratory.

Safety is of paramount importance in aerospace applications, and Raptor Scientific has the products to help ensure aerospace safety. To learn more, contact us today for a quote.

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