Tupolev Corporation launches innovative EBW technology in Russia

4 May 2017, Thursday

The Gorbunov Kazan Aviation Plant (branch of Tupolev Corporation) launched the electron-beam welding (EBW) of titanium parts for the new Tu-160 bomber. One of the key stages in the retrofitting of the Gorbunov KAZ is under completion in Kazan.

The efforts for the reconstruction of the electron-beam welding unit began in March 2016. The workshop accommodating the units has been repaired; the process equipment of the units underwent simultaneous upgrading.

The modernisation at the Gorbunov KAZ will last until 2020. Installation of advanced process equipment, reconstruction of utilities, infrastructure, communications, and production areas are in progress.

The total length of the aircraft welds is about 140 metres. The basic principle of the welding technology has been preserved, but about 90% of equipment was updated.

The today's unit has a number of advantages over previous ones. The vacuum system, cooling system, power units, and control system were completely replaced, resulting in less power consumption. The second necessary unit, that is, the vacuum annealing furnace, was also upgraded by replacing virtually all systems.

SUBSCRIBE FOR NEWS
All content on this site is licensed under
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International