Russian Aircraft Group Orders Composite Processing Systems

March 3, 2010
MAG to supply United Aircraft in first-of-its-kind contract

MAG Industrial Automation Systems reports a new contract to supply an automated composites processing system to Russia’s United Aircraft Corp., a Russian government-owned conglomerate for aircraft design and construction, including military, civilian, transport, and unmanned aircraft. It is the first such system ordered by Russia’s aerospace sector.

The three machines to be supplied include a MAG VIPER fiber-placement system and two HyperMachTM vertical profilers will support production of UAC's MS-21 series of commercial, medium-range airliners.

The HyperMach profilers are single-spindle, 5-axis designs with 85-kW (113-hp), 20,000 rpm spindles and X-axis travels of 12.6 m and 18.2 m (496 in and 716 in) respectively. The longer machine has dual work zones and a dust collection system.

The VIPER 1200 fiber-placement system lays 12 tows of 6.35 mm (0.25 in) composite prepreg tape, and has 9-m (354-in.) carriage travel and 3 m (118 in) diameter mandrel station. VIPER machines are modular, with 12, 16, 24 or 32 tows available to support a small to large parts production in vertical and horizontal platforms.

Delivery for the machines is set for the first quarter of 2011. All three systems feature patented technology, and MAG indicated the order is valued at over $9 million.

MAG said the order broadens its presence in Russia, which thanks to recent sales already includes 26 large machine tools to Ural Boeing Manufacturing and VSMPO-Avisma. Both companies produce titanium components in Russia for Boeing and Airbus commercial planes.

"Our newly created Aerospace Industry Team was a key enabler for us in this sale," stated MAG executive vice president, Aerospace, Chip Storie. "It brings into focus our strength as the only globally capable company integrating core aerospace manufacturing technologies – metalworking and automated composites processing – engineered, built and backed by a single source with local sales and service in Russia. The team consulted in depth with UAC, even hosting three aerospace manufacturing workshops in Russia that included a design and review of an entire wing factory."

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