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Mechanical Engineering Services

The Apollo

Difference

 

“No problem can be solved by the same consciousness that created it.
We need to see the world anew.”
– Albert Einstein

WE ARE…

A team of engineers and makers specializing in automated machines for industrial environments and the entertainment industry. We not only design and engineer, but we also build, install, and commission. Additionally, we contract our services for structural, thermal, and vibration analysis. Our team includes professional engineers, mechanical/controls engineers, technicians, and installation professionals. We pride ourselves on finding the weak points in a design and proposing unique and cost-effective ways to solve them.

OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE.

We make working with engineers a positive experience. We are fiercely passionate about solving your specific problem with your specific input based on your specific needs. Having worked with a wide range of technologies from textiles to explosives, we have what it takes to produce a unique solution tailored to your needs and challenges.

Portfolio Of Our Work

Tourist Attraction

Cliffhanger Coaster

Amusement Ride

The Cliffhanger is an SDC Windstorm coaster located at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It sits at an altitude of over 7,000 feet on the side of Iron Mountain. From the ride’s pinnacle, riders can see the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon 1,450 feet below! We provided engineering and design to upgrade this classic coaster with new controls and eddy current braking which enhances the rider experience.

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Equipment

Egg Palletizing

End Of Arm Tool

In order to interact with their environment, robots generally need some form of tool at the end of the arm (End of Arm Tool or EOAT). We worked with Synertech Automation to design and engineer a tool to interact with eggs stacked on a pallet with dividers between layers. The tool is designed to lift several stacks of eggs, remove or place the dividers, and lift the empty pallet.

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Tourist Attraction

Giant Canyon Swing

Amusement Ride

The Giant Canyon Swing at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park sits atop a 1,300-foot cliff overlooking the Colorado River. It swings 4 passengers out over the edge and back at speeds approaching 50 mph. We provided engineering and design on a significant system refit and upgrade.

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Equipment

Telescope

Vacuum Chamber

Designed by Cornell University, this telescope project required a portion of the assembly to be under vacuum as well as subjecting specific portion to cryogenic temperatures. We assisted Redline Chambers, Inc. with weld sizing and verification of material suitability by performing both structural and thermal FEA.

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Equipment

Stage Prop Lift

Show Action Equipment

Used to lift a show prop from beneath the stage during a regular show several times an hour. The system is composed of a nearly 18 ft column providing the base for a suspended platform guided on precision linear rails to nearly 18 feet above ground level. The motion is provided by an electric motor and belt drive offering tight position control for increased repeatability. This system design replaced a hydraulic scissor lift, previously utilized at other venues.  

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Equipment

Space Simulation

Thermal Vacuum Chamber

Universities and labs doing research for the space industry require equipment where conditions unique to space can be simulated. Along with Redline Chambers, Inc. we designed a chamber for the University of South Florida based on their specific space simulation requirements. This chamber featured a chilling shroud and platen capable of maintaining an interior at a specific temperature specification. The vacuum and thermal control is automated and allows the user to program “recipes” or specific sets of vacuum and temperature parameters to fit a particular process. 

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Tourist Attraction

Bungee Platform

Adventure Attraction

Bungee jumping is a thrill for sure, but bungee jumping from a cabin suspended 400 feet over a canyon is just crazy. We designed and engineered an attraction for Vail Bungee in Wolcott, Colorado to do just that. The cabin is suspended on cables and is accessed by a cable bridge from the adjoining cliff face. Once in the cabin riders are one-by-one prepared and allowed to jump, and then quickly retrieved. This attraction will be open Winter 2021.

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Equipment

Leak Check

Inspection Tool

Designed with adaptability in mind, this tool is used to facilitate the verification of leak tight cabinets for outdoor applications. The design accommodated 4 different sizes of rectangular cabinets and seals all openings in preparation for a pneumatic leak check process. We designed and built this tool per our customer’s specific set of requirements.

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Remote-Operated Saw

Custom Machinery

Working with Safety Management Services (SMS), Apollo helped an explosives manufacturer by designing, building, and installing a custom, remote-operated saw in under 3-months.

We created a saw capable of simultaneously cutting several pieces of detonation cord to length for final use in several aerospace applications. Because the cords are made with explosive compressed powder, special provisions had to be made both in the design and during assembly to ensure that the energetic powder does not activate and damage or destroy the machine.

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Winery Fermentation Temperature

Control System

Apollo was engaged to design, build, and install a PLC-based temperature control system for Purple Sky Winery. Our system samples the temperature within each tank checks it against the temperature setpoint, and opens or closes coolant valves to maintain the temperature within a specified error margin.

Because the fermentation process can take days or weeks, the system maintains a record of the temperature over time. This allows the Winemaker, David MaKieve, to observe and modify his process as needed to ensure a quality product.

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Shock & Vibration

Finite Element Analysis

We were approached by an aerospace company to analyze their system for use in space. They were required by their customer to virtually test the system for Harmonic Vibration, Random Vibration, and Shock per RTCA DO-160G which provides specifications for vibration testing. Its primary purpose is to guide physical testing but we adapted it where appropriate to guide our virtual testing. We modeled the system in SolidWorks and analyzed the model in ANSYS Workbench

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Livingston House Thermal

Finite Element Analysis

Bob Bacon, architect and owner of R.J. Bacon Design, retained Apollo to model the thermal effects of the Central Arizona desert climate on a new home design whose thermal envelope would be comprised of nearly 60% glass windows in addition to layered walls made from high-resistance and high-mass materials. The goal was to understand the temperature variations that would occur on the interior surfaces of this home based on historical data for natural outdoor conditions over the course of one year. He and his team wanted a simulation incorporating all methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation) and have at their disposal contour plots showing the temperature differentials in various sections of the home.

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Primordial Walkway

Automated System

Apollo was contracted to design, build, and install walkways used to service the cameras that provide the video projection for the interactive portion of the Primordial ride at Lagoon Park. The walkways were designed to lower when needed for maintenance and raise to a stowed position during ride operation. This way the walkways never interfere with the video and the riders never notice their presence in the ceiling.

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Core Values

Respect - We leave our egos at the door.

Solidarity - Together we are mighty.

Passion - Our team trains to be the best.

Adaptability - We are not afraid of a challenge

Integrity - We own our work, good or bad.

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What We Do