About

 

About Zodiac Engineering

Zodiac Engineering, located in Orange County, California, is an owner-operated machine shop focused on high-complexity, tight-tolerance subtractive manufacturing. For over a decade, Zodiac Engineering has supported New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI), and Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), with the ability and experience to scale into Full-Rate Production (FRP) for select programs.

Projects are taken on selectively and are supported from concept through production. Capabilities include, but are not limited to, product development support, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), process development, CNC machining, finishing, and assembly. The shop operates as a controlled, production-representative environment with emphasis on process stability, part quality, and clear communication throughout development and production.

In addition to external work, Zodiac Engineering maintains an internal product line of precision-machined folding knives, designed and manufactured entirely in-house.

About the Founder

Zodiac Engineering is operated by Ken Spaulding, a manufacturing engineer with over 20 years in Aerospace and Defense. His background includes CNC programming, fixturing, inspection, and process development, with emphasis on Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (ASME Y14.5), mechanical gaging and fixturing (ASME Y14.43), and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA). Throughout his career, he has supported AS9100 and ISO 9001 programs and has consistently contributed to Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) efforts and Material Review Board (MRB) activities across multiple organizations.