About CMi
Established in 1965, Custom Microwave Inc. (CMi) has a strong history of manufacturing antennas for space and ground applications. We are experts in designing and manufacturing high-quality, high-performance antennas, feeds, and components from 1 GHz to 1THz. We design, manufacture, and test in-house at our 54,000 sq. ft. facility in Longmont, Colorado – just an hour northwest of Denver.
Our products are used for some of the most critical space programs in the world, with hardware on over 230 satellites for commercial, military, civil and science applications. Our capabilities include RF & Mechanical Engineering, High-Precision Machining, Electroforming & Electroplating, and RF & Environmental Testing.
RF & Mechanical Engineering
Our engineering focus is creating more integrated feed assemblies and antenna arrays, simplifying your design process and delivering top performance while minimizing size, weight, and system costs.
Our engineers use high-precision software, eliminating the need for prototyping and reducing lead times.
SolidWorks, SolidWorks EPDM, Mastercam, Esprit, NX Nastran, FEMAP, Microwave Wizard, MatLab, CST Studio, CHAMP and COMSOL.
Learn More about Our Engineering Process
High Precision Machining
We have spent decades perfecting our machining process in order to meet the tight tolerances required by the aerospace industry. As a result, we are confident machining in the GHz and THz ranges.
Our typical tolerances are +/- .0005 inches (approximately 13 μm), but we have the ability to meet +/- .0002 inches (approximately 5 μm) if required. We regularly work with aluminum, titanium, copper, invar, dielectric materials, and more.
Our Machines
- CNC Mills (Multi-Axis)
- CNC Lathes
- CNC Wire EDM
Other Capabilities
- Brazing
- Soldering
- Painting
- Bonding
- Staking
- Inking
- Laser marking
- CMM Inspection
Electroforming & Electroplating
We have over 50 years of experience in electroforming high-precision, complex designs. Our capabilities include:
- Advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modeling with COMSOL Multiphysics. Simulating the material integrity and wall thickness significantly increases first yield and reduces lead times.
- Electroforming: High Strength Copper, Nickel, Nickel Cobalt Alloy
- Plating: Nickel, Electroless Nickel, Silver, Gold
- Rigorous tank process control including tensile coupon testing to ensure consistency and repeatability of finished products
Learn More about Our Electroforming Capabilities
Assembly, Integration & Testing
Custom Microwave Inc. has many years of experience with the final stage of flight hardware production: Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T). We understand what it takes to plan for and succeed with the production of highly complex and intricate assemblies involved in achieving high performance and high volume antenna feeds and components.
With our extensive library of test components and long heritage of performing challenging RF and environmental tests on our high performance antennas, our team of skilled test technicians and engineers are used to performing under tight timelines to fulfill our obligations to our customers.
- Thermal PIM Testing
- Vibration Testing
- Near and Far-Field Radiation Pattern Testing
- Thermal Cycle Testing
- Thermal Vacuum Testing
- RF Bench Testing at Ambient & Over Temperature