Instrument testing; Interferometry; Process control; Acceptance testing; Aerospace instrumentation; Astronomical instrument; Astronomical instrumentation; Instrument designs; Intermediate stage; Manufacturing integrations; Me-xico; Quality costs; Validation; Acceptance tests
One of the challenges of astronomicalinstrumentation is overcoming the intermediate stages between instrument design and acceptance testing. Manufacturing, integration tasks, and especially testing to validate these instruments require specialized infrastructure. At the Instituto de Astronomía de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IA-UNAM), we have recognized the importance of investing in this infrastructure to ensure quality, cost efficiency, and timely completion. In this paper, we present the capabilities of IA-UNAM in the design, manufacturing, and metrology of optical and mechanical components that meet astronomical and aerospace quality requirements and standards. We also discuss the adaptation of spaces necessary to perform these tasks, as wellas the development of methodologies and instrumentation that we have implemented for the integration and validation stages of these instruments. © 2024 SPIE.