Astro Machine’s CEO Andrew Albert with their new palletized Haas VM2. It was installed a week earlier than promised and went lights out soon after.
Astro Machine is nothing less than a Hawthorne, CA legacy. Founded in 1965 by Hughes engineers Jim Vellonakis and Bill Skintauy, Astro’s early core competency centered on space-related manufacturing. Jim’s son, Stas Vellonakis—a lifelong machinist—took over operations in 1985. With the support of long-time employees like Allen Boothe, a 40-year Astro veteran and plant manager, the company continued to grow.
Stas is among the hardest-working people you’ll ever meet, but after more than 50 years in machining, retirement eventually called. Fortunately, it was fishing buddy Chris—an aerospace manufacturing veteran in Los Angeles—who answered. Together with local investors Brian and Francis, the group acquired Astro Machine.
“We took over Astro machine from Stas October 10th, 2025, tells Astro Machine’s CEO Andrew Albert. “It was very important to the new ownership that the transfer of the business be done as smoothly as possible, with zero disruption to operations, quality, or the loyal Astro Team. The average age of an aerospace shop owner is well into their 60’s and the industry has made it very difficult for them to sell or close their businesses and retire. I understand why, many owners just keep things quiet and Friday at 3pm just stop answering phones and on Monday there is an auction. The only people who lose when owners do that are the primes and the people that got you where you are today. Stas isn’t like that. He would have rather kept working than leave his customers and employees high and dry. Stas spent a lifetime building Astro and expanding that legacy is a key objective moving forward. We are going to take Astro from great, to even greater in 2026.”
Left – This Hexagon CMM will be getting a big brother later in 2026 as part of the push to upgrade the quality lab. Right – Astro is AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified and recently added a Hexagon Optiv vision system to their already well-equipped QC department.
Andrew’s blend of business and technical experience made him a natural fit for the role of CEO. Although his degree is in business, he has led multiple manufacturing companies, worked hands-on in machining, and even spent six years as a physicist specializing in NDT, material science, fluid dynamics, and thermal systems.
“I worked on heat exchangers and valves for highly sensitive programs that required explosives-handling licenses and security clearances with DOD and ATF,” Andrew explains. “After scratching that itch, I returned to machining. Astro has incredible untapped potential, and I’m excited for the challenge.”
Left – Y axis turning via the Haas ST30Y is a new service Astro recently added. Right – Since 2014 wire EDM has been a staple of Astro’s capabilities.
Once known primarily as a milling house serving aerospace, defense, satellite, and medical markets, Astro expanded into wire EDM in 2014. Under new ownership, the company is accelerating again. “We are getting off the launch pad really quickly,” tells Andrew. “There is a modernization push, capacity push and a maturation of the business. Right away we kicked things off with an office remodel. It was dated, not efficiently laid out, and just needed a refresh. In doing this we found the space to include an employee lounge/break area, and 3 more workstations complete with 49” monitors and adjustable standing desks. We purchased a new Haas VM2 with a six plus one pallet pool, a DVF 5000 Doosan 5 axis milling center, a new Haas ST30-Y lathe with Y axis capabilities like offset milling, drilling and tapping. We are already ITAR, AS9100, ISO9001, but now we are full court press on CMMC Level 2, and NIST800-171. They will be in place by summer 2026.” Astro also implemented ProShop ERP alongside Ground Control automation software and transitioned to Mastercam for advanced multi-axis programming. Quality investments include a new Hexagon Optiv system and plans for a larger Hexagon CMM with a Renishaw PH20 head. “More equipment will be coming in 2026,” adds Andrew. Our team is excited to have upgraded tools to do their jobs and be able to make parts better and faster.”
“When you fill out supplier questionnaires they stratify you into levels,” explains Andrew. “Level 3 you are a pretty good machine shop turning out parts on a 3 or 4 axis machines. Level 4 bumps you up to tighter tolerances, better lead times, overall, you are successful and are doing well enough. But level 5 is where the magic happens. It is the “in case of emergency break glass” type status. The more I started talking to all these household name aerospace companies, they were talking about when you become a level 5 supplier, the depth and breadth of POs that they issue could easily double. Considering the quality of work we already deliver, reaching level 5 seems like a Staples “easy button” type epiphany when it comes to winning jobs. Modernization through automation and multi-axis machining is how we get there.”
Left – The Haas VM2 is Astro’s first palletized machining center. They went with the more robust and option filled VM series and a 6 + 1 pallet center. Right – Second generation Astro employee Justin Boothe prepares one of the pallets for overnight running.
Astro’s first purchase was a Haas VM2 with a six plus one pallet pool, 70 tools, high pressure coolant and high-capacity chip removal. “We went with the VM series because it came with better specs than the popular VF line,” explains Andrew. “The cost difference is a no brainer when it comes to accuracy and options. We traded in a like new VF that wasn’t upgradable for this VM and I’m already glad we did. Damien Goodrich at Haas has been a fantastic asset. I purchased machines from him at the other company and am happy to carry over that relationship to Astro. We got good pricing on the VM, a more than fair value on our trade, and he said it would be ready in three weeks, but it was delivered in two. For us, this is our first pallet system and our first real step into lights out manufacturing on the mills. We purchased Blanchard ground plates from our good friends at TCI Precision Metals in Gardena, CA. With a little modification and a lot of Mitee Bite Clamps we were able to achieve a super dense nesting of parts for a long run defense job. It was up and cutting chips lights out ahead of our projected time frame. We have a WIFI Camera system so we can monitor production, and thus far it has been everything we hoped for with no mentionable issues.”
Deciding on a 5 axis was more of an endeavor. They didn’t have anyone on staff with enough experience to just buy a machine and figure it out. “New equipment is great, but you also have to have the people to run them,” tells Andrew. “When CNC West Magazine was last here in 2018 there were thirteen employees running a dozen 3 and 4 axis Fadals and 3 Fanuc wire EDMs. We’ve doubled our staff since then, but operating a 5 axis is another level of performance we were not immediately prepared for. We went to an open house at Ellison and were very interested in Doosan’s 5 axis platform. Brandon Patton spent a huge amount of time going over the ins and outs of the machines and how it would relate to our business. He called a few days later and said he has one tariff free machine left in stock and it is spec’d exactly how he would want it for us. He would give us a good deal, but I had to say no because I didn’t have a person to just plug and play into a machine like that. Somehow, the machining gods heard my prayers and I got a call from Brandon a couple days later. He says, “did you know Kyle Driscoll is on the market?” I didn’t but I took his number and we set up a meeting. Once we met it was a no brainer. I hired him and bought the Doosan DVF5000. Kyle is a local legend, one of those do it all, and do it right kind of geniuses who inspires others to level up their game. He has a diverse background in the most complex industries around. He has extensive experience in medical, aerospace, and he was an R&D machinist for JPL. Kyle can program and run mill turns, advanced multi axis lathes, 5 axis mills, Swiss turning, automation, robotics, you name it. We swooped him up at just the right time, he was the superstar we needed. He got us up and running quicker than we had expected.”
Doosan’s DVF5000 is a simultaneous 5 axis powerhouse. For Astro there is no comparison when it comes to making tight tolerance, highly complex aerospace type parts in a single pass vs. multiple setups. Right – Local legend Kyle Driscoll was hired specifically to be the superstar programmer Astro needed to manage their new automation and 5th axis machining capabilities. The Doosan was just installed by Ellison Technologies, and he was prepping it for startup.
The Doosan DVF5000 excels when it comes to performance vs pricing. Right out of the box it is well equipped for improving production times and quality on the parts Astro already makes. And, as Andrew has found out its versatility is exceeding his expectations. “We knew a machine like this would improve the parts we already make,” explains Andrew. “There is no comparison when it comes to making tight tolerance, highly complex aerospace type parts in a single pass vs multiple setups. We expected improvements but we are really impressed with how fast it is to setup and run. Right now, we are utilizing it mostly as a quick turn for various small-satellite vendors. With 120 tools we leave everything in place and touched off ready to go at a moment’s notice. The 5th Axis workholding dovetailed vice has also helped drive efficiency. The accuracy, high pressure coolant, chip evacuation, and capability of this machine is second to none. We instantly saw gains above and beyond our projections. I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of 2026 we had at least one or two more.”
Andrew describes Astro Machine as lightning in a bottle. Within a couple days of being their CEO he knew that this was a place poised for growth and the possibilities were endless. “Even before the capital investments, Astro had enormous growth potential because of the uniquely strong foundation that Stas had created based on a culture of excellence and incredible team of professionals,” concluded Andrew. “Now we’re embracing palletization, advanced turning, and simultaneous 5-axis machining for the first time. In just a few months, we’ve added more customers than I did in four years at my previous company. It comes down to Astro Machine really sells itself to new clients and renews faith in long term relationships. Our half century of quality manufacturing and our commitment to the next 50 years is going a long way. Together with our vendors, clients, and partners Astro Machine is ready for 2026 and beyond.”
Left – Kristen Bell from Titanium Industries checks out the new break room amenities. Right – New workstations went hand in hand with office remodel.