Irkut Corporation (part of the Rostec State Corporation UAC) in cooperation with the N.I. Platov South Russian State Polytechnic University has created the first domestic composite fiber stacker robot. It will replace foreign equipment and will be used in the mass production of the "black" wing of the newest MS-21 aircraft. All key elements, including software and process control systems, are manufactured in Russia. This is reported by AVIA.RU .
Composite, or "black" wing is one of the advantages of the MS–21, which allows you to reduce the weight of the airframe and improve the aerodynamic quality of the aircraft. Its creation is a complex process that requires high–tech equipment. With the help of robots, the dry carbon tape is automatically laid, which forms the future part of the airliner in layers. With the help of a laser, the carbon tape is heated and glued to the previous layer. The continuity of the layout is ensured by the use of a tape rolled on a bobbin with a length from 3000 to 3500 meters. Previously, equipment for this work was purchased abroad, but after the sanctions imposed against Russia, deliveries were stopped.
"The MS-21 is an important aircraft for our country, on which the stability of the Russian air transport system largely depends. In the shortest possible time, we replaced imported composite materials in its wing, having received approval from the Federal Air Transport Agency at the end of last year for major changes to the standard design of the aircraft. Now, for the domestic "black" wing, a Russian stacker robot has been created, which is in no way inferior to foreign analogues, and in many ways surpasses them. The equipment will allow us not to depend on foreign suppliers and will help us achieve a rhythmic production of up to 36 MS-21 aircraft per year," said Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy General Director of Rostec State Corporation.
The prototype of the robot has been put into commercial operation in the Moscow laboratory of Aerocomposite, which is the competence center of the UAC in the field of innovative developments and production of parts and assemblies made of polymer composite materials.
"We have fully developed the domestic technology, achieving high quality, speed and reliability of the system. The next goal is to scale this solution for the serial production of MS–21 composite wing structures and increase the volume of aircraft production," said Anatoly Gaidansky, First Deputy General Director of Irkut Corporation - General Director of Aerocomposite JSC.
