A.T. Wall Co., a supplier of superior precision tubing and fabricated metal components, featured a range of precision-drawn, high-quality waveguide tubing at the 2009 International Microwave Symposium (IMS). Highlighted products include Invar waveguide, thin wall aluminum waveguide, and seamless flexible waveguide.
Invar waveguide features unique low expansion characteristics allowing minimal expansion in extreme cold and heat. It has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of all metals in the –273 to 177°C range. Microwave filters made from Invar can withstand extreme temperature shifts while maintaining the physical characteristics that control the RF signal.
Thin wall aluminum waveguide and seamless flexible waveguide are applicable to airborne systems and space in all satellite applications. Systems designed with aluminum tubes with ½ inch or less of the standard wall thickness and performance of heavier walled products allow engineers to save thousands of dollars in a launch. Flexible waveguide also saves the customer money by reducing space needs with its ability to be bent to fit into small spaces.
A.T. Wall will also feature side wall frames for hybrid microelectronic circuit packages used in defense, commercial electronics and medical applications worldwide. These tubular frames serve as sidewalls for hermetically sealed flat packs that demand restrictive dimensional tolerance and precise metallurgical qualities.
From A.T. Wall’s stamping division, a base for a universal sensor originally produced as a machined part was featured. A.T. Wall engineers work with a customer’s engineering staff to develop a stamping process which results in significant cost reduction and increased manufacturing efficiency. Depending upon the quantity produced, the customer can achieve up to 65 percent cost savings using the stamped part in place of the machined part.