Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a global leader in launch services and space systems, announced it has begun installation of the largest automated fiber placement (AFP) machine of its kind into the Company's Neutron rocket production line in Middle River, MD. The AFP machine will enable Rocket Lab to automate production of the largest carbon composite rocket structures in history.
The custom-built 99 ton (90 tonne), 39 ft tall (12-meter) robotic machine, American-made by Electroimpact in Washington, has just completed final acceptance testing. The new machine will automate the production of all large composite structures of the Neutron launch vehicle including the panels that make up the 91 ft (28 meter) inter-stage and fairing, 22.9 ft (7 meter) diameter first stage, and the 16.4 ft (5 meter) diameter second stage tank.
The autonomous machine can move up to 98 ft (30 meters) in length and lay down continuous carbon fiber composite at a rate of 328 ft (100 meters) per minute. It also has a fully automated real-time inspection system that hunts for miniscule defects throughout the laminated carbon composite.
As Neutron's carbon composite structures move into full-scale production, this autonomous machine is expected to introduce significant time-savings of 150,000+ manufacturing hours into the production process.
Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO, said: "As we build the world's largest carbon composite rocket, it makes sense that we require a world-first carbon composite fiber placement machine. We're combining our proprietary flight-proven carbon composite technology, additive manufacturing, and autonomous robotics to design and build large-scale aerospace components at a pace that will support not only Neutron's launch cadence, but support Electron and carbon composites structures for our spacecraft customers too."
Source: www.rocketlabusa.com
