R&D Machine

R&D Machine specializes in CNC machining of precision metal components for aerospace, defense, and space applications. Most of our parts have complicated geometries, are made of aluminum, and will be used above the Earth’s surface, in either our atmosphere or in outer space.

We have extensive 5-axis milling capabilities along with state-of-the-art Zeiss coordinate measuring machines (CMM). Using computer models of the customer parts, we expertly program both the cutting tool paths needed to machine these components and the CMM’s to automatically measure every dimension.

R&D Machine has had three owners since its founding in 1992. The second were Carl and Hilary Whitley who purchased the company in 1999 and grew it significantly for more than two decades. The Whitley’s are well known throughout the A&D community and are largely responsible for the development of the company’s customer base populated by highly respected blue-chip companies.

In April 2022, Compass Precision acquired R&D Machine from Carl and Hilary Whitley as its sixth operating company, all focused on manufacturing precision, mission-critical components for demanding applications. Compass operating companies specialize in high mix, lower volume requirements, usually involving difficult to machine shapes and/or materials.