On November 25, 2014, Purple Platypus supported Monarch Inc.‘s grand opening of their new headquarters located at 1519 N. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Monarch, Inc. (formerly known as Cal UAS) specializes in aircraft, software, and exclusive services including crop analysis, land survey and mapping, and 3D terrain and accident mapping. In addition to their new company name and location, Monarch also invested into their new manufacturing shop, which includes computerized 3D routers, 3D printers, and mills, in addition to Surface Mount Technology printed circuit board fabrication machines. With over 4,000 square feet of assembly and design space in a secure, clean facility, CEO Eileen Shibley hopes to put Ridgecrest on the map.
As part of their ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were given a tour of their new facility specifically featuring the Stratasys Fortus 400mc 3D printer and Roland MDX-540 milling machine provided by Purple Platypus. Monarch Inc. included a display table of 3D printed vibration isolator for the autopilot of the Monarch AG, which happens to be the first 3D printed items off of their new Stratasys Fortus 400mc. Among the attendees were Monarch, Inc.’s staff, City and County officials, including Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason, and Abe Karem, exclusive aircraft designer of the Amber 006.