Larson & Darby Group assisted Ingersoll Machine Tools in the design and engineering of spaces for the manufacture of the major components of the Giant Magellan Telescope. When completed, it will be one of the largest telescopes in the world and will be in the high desert of Chile. The Giant Magellan Telescope will be a next-generation optical-infrared observatory expected to revolutionize the earth-based observation of the universe. Utilizing the largest mirrors in the world, the telescope will have an infrared resolving power 10 times greater than even the Hubble Space Telescope, allowing us to observe in greater detail planets orbiting distant stars.
Ingersoll is a world-leading maker of high-precision machine tools for the manufacturing and aerospace industry. Its machine tools have been used by NASA, Collins Aerospace, Boeing, and Airbus in projects for commercial and military aviation, as well as the exploration of space. Ingersoll’s expertise and work on other large telescope projects have given Ingersoll a unique insight into solving the problems associated with maintaining the micron precision needed for aligning giant multi-ton mirrors while also frictionlessly moving the entire assembly to track and observe distant stars and galaxies. For the Giant Magellan Telescope, the components of the telescope include a massive 1,300 ton 80’ tall steel frame which will require fabrication and testing in an environmentally controlled environment that will also allow for easy transport to its construction site.
To create the specialized facility to fabricate these components, Ingersoll turned to longtime design partner Larson & Darby Group. Throughout its more than 60-year history, LDG’s engineers and architects have also developed a special understanding of the complexities and challenges involved in the operation of precision manufacturing equipment. From sensitive environmental control to the massive vibration-resistant foundations required to support high-precision machine tools, or the rapid response needed to meet condensed or mission-critical construction timelines, LDG has assisted clients such as Airbus, Boeing, Collins Aerospace, and Woodward to meet some of their toughest design and construction challenges.
