Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Precision Engineering for Aerospace & Defense
Volna Engineering has been delivering precision engineering solutions for aerospace and defense industries for over five decades. Founded in 1968 by William M. Volna, a graduate mechanical engineer, the company specializes in kinematic coupling design principles to address complex measurement and tooling challenges. Our 4,000 sq. ft. facility in Minneapolis houses advanced machinery and an optical fabrication shop, enabling us to produce high-precision instruments with sub-arc-second accuracy. We emphasize cost-effective design through exact constraint principles, ensuring reliability and performance in products like gyro test tables and nonmagnetic flight simulators. With clients including Honeywell, Unisys, and the U.S.Navy, our work has stood the test of time, with devices operating flawlessly for over 20 years. Our team combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to mentoring future engineers through community initiatives like Bill Volna's Retirement Sandbox. We maintain rigorous quality standards through computer-aided design, vacuum coating capabilities, and patented methodologies in optical fabrication and mechanical systems.
Services
Gyro Test Tables
VTAS Nonmagnetic Head Tracker
Flight Simulator Systems
Optical Fabrication
Solar Energy Research
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience in precision engineering design
- Our patented kinematic coupling methodology ensures sub-arc-second accuracy
- We maintain in-house optical fabrication capabilities up to 35" diameter
- Our engineers hold expertise in magnetic transparency and exact constraint design
- We provide consulting services for cost-effective precision engineering solutions
Services
Gyro Test Tables
Our two-axis gyro test tables utilize kinematic coupling principles to achieve sub-arc-second accuracy for testing ring-laser navigation systems. These devices have maintained unchanging performance over 19 years of continuous service for aerospace applications. The design incorporates exact constraint methodology to eliminate hysteresis while ensuring repeatable precision measurements for critical flight systems.
VTAS Nonmagnetic Head Tracker
This Visual Target Acquisition System employs linen phenolic and epoxy construction with optically polished glass ways for 10 arc-second straightness. The system's ceramic ball spindles maintain arc-second accuracy after 18 years of service. Designed for magnetic transparency, it provides precise head tracking data for aviation applications requiring zero magnetic interference in critical measurement environments.
Flight Simulator Systems
Our air bearing flight simulators demonstrate three degrees of kinematic constraint for realistic motion simulation. Designed for UNISYS, these systems combine magnetic transparency with precision motion control. The engineering incorporates exact constraint principles to ensure accurate simulation of flight dynamics while maintaining long-term operational reliability in demanding training environments.
Optical Fabrication
We maintain an optical fabrication shop with 16" diamond curve generators, Strasbaugh polishers, and Zygo interferometers. Our capabilities include vacuum coating up to 35" diameter optics for aerospace and astronomical applications. The facility supports precision lens manufacturing with tolerances maintained to 0.001" edge thickness for high-performance optical systems used in research and defense applications.
Solar Energy Research
Our solar energy systems include patented two-axis trackers that generate 2kW heat output using less than 10W drive power. The designs incorporate precision motion control for optimal solar alignment. We also develop solar stills capable of desalinating 18 gallons of seawater daily, combining mechanical engineering expertise with sustainable energy solutions for remote and hostile environments.
People
William M. Volna
Founder
Graduate mechanical engineer who founded Volna Engineering in 1968. Holds expertise in kinematic coupling design and optical fabrication. Maintains active involvement in engineering education through his Retirement Sandbox facility, mentoring future engineers while continuing advanced projects like the TARDIS II astronomical observatory.
Questions
What engineering principles does Volna specialize in?
We specialize in kinematic coupling design principles for precision engineering applications.
What industries do you serve?
Primarily aerospace and defense, with additional work in astronomical research and renewable energy.
How long have you been in business?
Since 1968, providing over 50 years of precision engineering expertise.
What manufacturing capabilities do you have?
We maintain a 4,000 sq. ft. facility with CNC machining, optical fabrication, and vacuum coating up to 35" diameter.
Do you offer consulting services?
Yes, we provide consulting on precision engineering design and kinematic coupling applications.
What location are you based in?
Our main facility is located in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota.
