Composite Fiber Stacker Robot

2023: Product Announcement

On May 25, 2023, Rostec announced the creation of the first Russian composite fiber laying robot. It will replace foreign equipment and will be used in the serial production of the "black" wing of the newest MS-21 aircraft.

The new robot was created by Irkut Corporation (part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which, in turn, is a subsidiary of Rostec) in cooperation with the South Russian State Polytechnic University named after N.I. Platova. A prototype robot has already been put into commercial operation in the Moscow laboratory of AeroComposite, which is the center of competence of the UAC in the field of innovative development and production of parts and assemblies from polymer composite materials.

Composite Fiber Stacker Robot

As explained in Rostec, the 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 reel with a length of 3000 to 3500 meters. Previously, equipment for this work was purchased abroad, but after the sanctions imposed on Russia, supplies were stopped, the state corporation said.

Now, for the domestic "black" wing, they have also created a Russian stacker robot, which is in no way inferior to foreign counterparts, but in many respects surpasses them. The equipment will allow us not to depend on foreign suppliers and will help us reach rhythmic production of up to 36 MS-21 aircraft per year, "said Vladimir Artyakov, First Deputy General Director of Rostec State Corporation.[1]

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