The sale of the first composite processing system from a U.S. company to the Chinese aerospace industry represents a breakthrough for the MAG (Erlanger, Kentucky) and for U.S. machinery exports in general, says Chip Storie, the machine tool builder’s executive Vice President Aerospace.
The new Charger, a low-rail, gantry contour tape layer will produce wings, horizontal stabilizers and central wing boxes for C919 and C929, commercial jets expected to enter service in 2016 and manufactured by Shanghai Aircraft, the production operation of the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). Set to be installed at the new COMAC Pudong composite facility in Shanghai, the machine is designed to lay 3-, 6- or 12-inch (75-, 150- or 300-mm) carbon/epoxy tape with any orientation and number of plies over tool surfaces with contours, flats and changing geometries. It is said to produce consistent quality, part shape, thickness and strength.
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