Industries

SPACE & AVIATION

Pushing Boundaries

With an ever-evolving environment, the journey into space is one fueled by innovation. Additive Manufacturing has been a game-changing adoption for the industry, allowing for more efficient allocation of weight on payloads, better part optimisation and expedited lead times.

After years of experience working side-by-side with industry-leading satellite and spacecraft manufacturers, we have built our service around quality, partnership, and collaboration. With globally recognized quality systems in place and validated processes ready, Zenith Tecnica is prepared to help global space companies reach the stars.

Testimonials

Maxar Technologies EBM Journey

Since 2016, Maxar has built and launched five spacecraft with 260 titanium components produced by Zenith Tecnica using EBM additive manufacturing (AM) processes. More than 270 additional parts are currently in production and assembly on eight other satellites.

 

Since the introduction of AM into the production of spacecraft components, Maxar has achieved many benefits, including improved schedule agility, reduced manufacturing costs, and increased performance of satellites. Read more about our partnership here

Unlock Design Freedom

Sending a large spacecraft, the size of a small bus, into the upper atmosphere takes an incredible amount of force. This force, alongside the harsh environment of space, where one moment you may be in the blistering heat of the sun to the next facing a freezing vacuum, requires the production of materials that will last. With the ever-growing need for efficiency in areas such as on-orbit-life, satellite manufacturers are moving to advanced manufacturing methods such as additive.  In order to reduce mass, many structural designs have become more complex and organic in shape, which is only feasible through AM and the design optimization available.

 

Our titanium EBM service allows for greater geometry freedom even over alternative metal AM methods. So you are able to build tall & thin-walled components, components with abrupt changes in thickness and lightweight structures that are optimized for mechanical and thermal loading. 

Simplify your supply chain to stay on schedule

Utilizing AM allows for benefits beyond the components themselves. From a supply chain standpoint, AM offers reduced tooling and with it, a shorter supply chain and ordering operation. With little set up requirements, customers can order exact quantities needed at cost-effective rates, to optimize spend and inventory.

 

Transition smoothly and efficiently from concept and prototype to production of qualified parts. Whether you require a primary supplier of titanium additively manufacturer parts or an overflow capacity supplier to meet crunch times, we are here for your needs.

Partner in Qualification and Validation

Guided by a Rev-D AS9100 quality management system, we have produced many flight-certified components for satellites that are currently in orbit. Click here to view our AS9100 certification.

Our team can collaborate with you to define a quality plan and validate a process to meet your project, monthly, quarterly, or annual requirements. 

Or read
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Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Victor

victor gillet

QUALITY MANAGER

  • BTEC Higher National Diploma – Advanced Diploma in conception & industrialisation of Microtechnology, Noisiel – France

 

  • Certified Auditor (ISO9001, ISO13485)

 

  • Certificate of ISO Management System Audit Techniques and Best Practices Certified Internal Auditor

 

  • SOLIDWORKS (BASW1 & Advanced Drawing)

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

Victor joined Zenith Tecnica with his background in quality systems after a push for AS9100:RevD and future certifications. He began his career 10 years ago completing contract work for a design office and workshop creating 3D models and prototypes. Following this he worked for a Medical Device company in Paris for 7 years and participated in the development and design of 16 new surgical instruments that were FDA-approved and CE marked. This included design transfer, risk analysis, implementation of product change management tools, defective product analysis and more.

 

Victor left France in 2016 and began working for a sapphire mining company in Mauritius as a quality manager contractor where he created a traceability system and certification process for ethical sapphires to guarantee ‘mine to market’ traceability. This involved integration of quality management systems, project management, training, implementation of quality tools and marketing team support.

 

Upon arriving in New Zealand in 2017 he took a position as a program manager and auditor for the medical branch of a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) before moving to Zenith Tecnica.

 

Outside of work Victor enjoys exercising, running and exploring New Zealand!

callan auger

WORKSHOP ENGINEERING ASSISTANT

  • Auto CAD Fundamentals

 
  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

 
 

Callan joined the Zenith Tecnica production team in 2022 as Workshop Engineering Assistant. Outside of work, his hobbies involve all things DIY. Including brewing beer and distilling spirits, gardening, graphic design, building and mechanics. As a creative yet logical thinker, he thrives

 

while exploring functionality and efficiency in processes. He is mechanically minded and enjoys reverse engineering objects to understand how they operate.

 

Outside of work he spends a lot of time outdoors, swimming, tramping, diving and holds a PADI Diving license.

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Emil

emil ryberg

WORKSHOP ENGINEERING ASSISTANT

  • Arcam EBM Certification Training Level 1

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

 
 

Emil first joined Zenith Tecnica in 2016 after obtaining Level 1 EBM certification in his home country and the home of GE Additive Arcam, Sweden, before coming to New Zealand for a year of work experience. Emil came back on board in 2019 as our workshop assistant after moving back to New Zealand. Emil also serves as our health and safety officer.

 

Emil has worked in a variety of roles such as lamination – hand laying fiberglass, warehouse and recycling operation, as a food courier, and even as an operator in an ice cream factory!

 

Emil is a lover of everything outdoors and enjoys playing music, hiking and camping, gardening and DIY, surfing, swimming, running, and woodworking!

marty pike

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) – Massey UniversitY

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

Marty is passionate about specific design for additive manufacturing; creating parts that are inspired by science, nature and art.

 

His 3D printing journey started back in 2005, working for one of New Zealand’s first 3D printing companies in a new marketplace.


He designed parts for the Z Corporation Spectrum 3D printer, finding innovative solutions for problems that traditional methods could not solve.

 

His designs utilize open-source software as much as possible, and he is skilled with tools such as FreeCAD, Blender, MeshLab, and Debian.
He also likes to create his own custom 3D design software using C++, ODE, OpenGL, CGAL, and OpenFrameworks.

 

In late 2022 he joined the team at Zenith Tecnica as a Mechanical Engineer. Day to day Marty is involved in the production of titanium components, preparing customers designs for builds and managing relationships with key clients.

 

Outside of work, Marty spends most of his free time training and teaching the art of submission grappling. He competes on a regular basis across the country

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Morgan

morgan worthington

MARKETING & CREATIVE LEAD

  • Bachelor of Business – Massey University

 

  • Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Certificate – Google Digital Garage

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver
 
 

Morgan started with Zenith Tecnica in early 2021 as Digital Marketing & Customer Service Coordinator, taking on the task of working with the team to create a new and comprehensive marketing strategy to fit with the growing nature of the business. After completing his Bachelor of Business, Morgan has worked in marketing and project management roles for multiple technical industries and has found a passion in strategy and implementing sustainable practices.

 

He has always had an interest in the creative design process from start to finish, even beginning his time at university studying architecture. As such, Zenith Tecnica was the perfect meld of technicality, design and creativity. Morgan now heads up the marketing department as Marketing and Creative Lead.

 

In his spare time, Morgan is an avid photographer and loves finding new and interesting compositions and combining his creative and technological side with photo manipulation and editing.

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Luke

luke davies-colley

PRODUCTION MANAGER

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) – Mechanical, University of Canterbury

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

 

Luke started at Zenith Tecnica in March of 2021, as a Mechanical Engineer, and progressed quickly into the Production Lead role and eventually Production Manager.


After graduating from the University of Canterbury in 2017 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), Luke has had experience in several engineering design and project engineering roles. This gave him exciting exposure to a range of projects and has allowed him to bring extensive knowledge and different insights to Zenith Tecnica. He has also had plenty of time on the tools in manufacturing plants doing maintenance and repair work. Luke excels with problem solving, and is a valuable member of the team.

 

Outside of work, Luke enjoys everything surfing and skating related and is always looking for new coastlines to explore.

Zenith Tecnica staff Emma Headshot

emma hall

LOGISTICS & QUALITY ADMINISTRATOR

  • Diploma in Sports & Recreation

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver
 
 

Emma joined Zenith Tecnica in July of 2021, as the Administration Assistant and quickly rose to the task of becoming our export compliance officer, and has since moved into the quality team and is heavily involved in the Quality Management System and Logistics.

 

Emma has a working background in various industries including utilities & hospitality. She has a keen interest in problem solving and streamlining processes.

 

In her spare time, Emma enjoys roller skating, music, macramé and gaming.

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Dan

Dan todd

WORKSHOP MANAGER

  • New Zealand Certificate in Boat Building

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

 

Dan has been the workshop manager at Zenith Tecnica since 2016. He has picked up new skills working with Arcam EBM machines and enjoys the challenges that come with them.

 

Dan is a very hands-on person with 16 years in light to heavy welding and fabrication. During this time he spent a large portion of time building and installing large machinery around the world which included working with hydraulics and electrical systems.

 

Outside of work Dan spends weeks volunteering his skills to fix DOC huts and tracks in the south island. He enjoys the outdoors; boating, fishing, tramping, hunting and staying fit.

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Logan

logan nutsford

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) – Mechatronics, Massey University

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver
 
 

Logan joined the Zenith Tecnica team in April 2021, moving up to to Auckland from Blenheim in the process. Logan Completed his Mechatronics Engineering degree at Massey University in 2020 and always had a keen interest in additive manufacturing.


Logan started at Zenith in the workshop team and has since moved into an engineering role within the production team working on nesting, supporting and quoting.

 

In his spare time, he enjoys cars, 3D printing and walks on the beach.

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Pete

Peter sefont

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) – Mechatronics, The University of AucklanD

 

  • GE Additive – Arcam EBM Material Development (Level 3)

 

  • Hi-Tech Metrology – Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing with Coordinate Metrology

 

  • Applied Vehicle Dynamics Seminar, Optimum G

 

  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver

 

Peter leads Zenith Tecnica’s customer engagements and the engineering team to ensure that customer requirements are met. Peter started with Zenith Tecnica as a mechanical engineer in 2016 and has been a leader in the production team since 2018 when he was managing day-to-day production efforts. Since then he has moved to further engaging with customers to help solve their technical challenges and meet their ever-changing production requirements as demand for our services has grown.

 

Because Peter has been part of every stage of Zenith Tecnica’ s manufacturing processes since 2016 he has a wealth of knowledge to share with our customers to help them take their products to market.

 

Prior to starting at Zenith Tecnica, Peter spent time at Fisher and Paykel Healthcare in 2015 working on accelerated life testing, gauge repeatability and reproducibility, and various other metrology areas in an ISO13485 medical device production environment.

 

While at the University of Auckland, Peter was the team manager of the Formula SAE Team – A team of 50 that designs, manufactures, and races a formula style open-wheel race every year. After leading the development to an electric powertrain, he has good understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, maintaining relationships with sponsors & suppliers, and the challenges of running a technical team. Peter was also involved in the composites team and has experience in mould making, hand laying pre-impregnated fibres, wet laminating, and infusing CFRP components.

 

In his spare time, he enjoys road trips, swimming, and spectating or participating in motorsport events.

Zenith Tecnica staff headshot Heather

Heather Grace

DIRECTOR

  • NZCS Chemistry
  • NZ Diploma Surface Coatings Technology
  • NZIM Management Diploma
  • Diploma in Psychology – Specialising in Workplace Psychology
  • Certificate of Completion in U.S Export Controls Training – World Trade Center Denver


Heather is the founder of the TechBiz Success Academy, and Success With Grace Ltd, an NZTE registered training provider specialised in growing successful technology businesses.

 

Heather has over 30 years’ commercial experience in the science, engineering and technology sectors. She was co-founder of Technology Systems and held Sales Management, Business Development, Network Management and General Management roles with Bayer NZ, Downer EDI and Rebain International.

 

Heather holds an NZCS in Chemistry, an NZIM Management Diploma and a Diploma in Workplace Psychology. Her background provides Zenith Tecnica with expertise in sales and business growth strategies, leadership and talent management. She also brings international business experience in technology, manufacturing, service, distribution and supply chain management.

 

In her spare time, Heather enjoys ocean swimming, scuba diving and sailing.