Rocket Lab Begins Installation of Large Carbon Composite Rocket-Building Machine
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has begun installing a custom-built Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine for its Neutron rocket production line in Middle River, MD. This 90-tonne, 12-meter tall robotic machine, manufactured by Electroimpact in Washington, will automate the production of large carbon composite structures for the Neutron launch vehicle.
The AFP machine can move up to 30 meters in length, lay down carbon fiber composite at 100 meters per minute, and features an automated real-time inspection system. It's expected to save around 150,000 manufacturing hours in the Neutron rocket's production process. The machine will also be used for Electron launch vehicle components and other aerospace industry projects.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) ha iniziato a installare una macchina di Posizionamento Automatizzato delle Fibra (AFP) personalizzata per la linea di produzione del suo razzo Neutron a Middle River, MD. Questa macchina robotica di 90 tonnellate e alta 12 metri, prodotta da Electroimpact nello stato di Washington, automatizzerà la produzione di grandi strutture in composito di carbonio per il veicolo di lancio Neutron.
La macchina AFP può muoversi fino a 30 metri di lunghezza, posizionare il composito in fibra di carbonio a 100 metri al minuto e dispone di un sistema di ispezione automatizzata in tempo reale. Si prevede che farà risparmiare circa 150.000 ore di produzione nel processo di produzione del razzo Neutron. La macchina sarà utilizzata anche per i componenti del veicolo di lancio Electron e per altri progetti nell'industria aerospaziale.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) ha comenzado a instalar una máquina de Colocación Automatizada de Fibra (AFP) hecha a medida para su línea de producción del cohete Neutron en Middle River, MD. Esta máquina robótica de 90 toneladas y 12 metros de altura, fabricada por Electroimpact en Washington, automatizará la producción de grandes estructuras compuestas de carbono para el vehículo de lanzamiento Neutron.
La máquina AFP puede moverse hasta 30 metros de longitud, colocar compuesto de fibra de carbono a 100 metros por minuto y cuenta con un sistema automatizado de inspección en tiempo real. Se espera que ahorre alrededor de 150,000 horas de fabricación en el proceso de producción del cohete Neutron. La máquina también se utilizará para componentes del vehículo de lanzamiento Electron y otros proyectos en la industria aeroespacial.
로켓랩 USA, Inc. (나스닥: RKLB)는 메릴랜드주 미들 리버에 있는 네우트론 로켓 생산 라인을 위해 맞춤형 자동화 섬유 배치 기계(AFP) 설치를 시작했습니다. 이 90톤, 12미터 높이의 로봇 기계는 워싱턴의 Electroimpact에서 제조되었으며, 네우트론 발사체를 위한 대형 탄소 복합 구조물의 생산을 자동화할 것입니다.
AFA 기계는 최대 30미터의 길이로 이동할 수 있으며, 분당 100미터의 속도로 탄소 섬유 복합체를 배치할 수 있고, 자동화된 실시간 검사 시스템을 갖추고 있습니다. 네우트론 로켓의 생산 과정에서 약 150,000 제조 시간을 절감할 것으로 예상됩니다. 이 기계는 또한 일렉트론 발사체 부품 및 기타 항공 우주 산업 프로젝트에도 사용될 것입니다.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) a commencé à installer une machine de Placement Automatisé de Fibres (AFP) sur mesure pour sa ligne de production de fusées Neutron à Middle River, MD. Cette machine robotisée de 90 tonnes et de 12 mètres de hauteur, fabriquée par Electroimpact dans l'État de Washington, automatisera la production de grandes structures en composites de carbone pour le véhicule de lancement Neutron.
La machine AFP peut se déplacer jusqu'à 30 mètres de long, déposer des composites de fibres de carbone à une vitesse de 100 mètres par minute et dispose d'un système d'inspection automatisé en temps réel. On s'attend à ce qu'elle fasse économiser environ 150 000 heures de fabrication dans le processus de production de la fusée Neutron. La machine sera également utilisée pour les composants du véhicule de lancement Electron et d'autres projets dans l'industrie aérospatiale.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) hat mit der Installation einer maßgeschneiderten automatisierten Faserplatzierungsmaschine (AFP) für die Produktionslinie ihres Neutron-Raketen in Middle River, MD, begonnen. Diese 90-Tonnen, 12 Meter hohe Robotermaschine, hergestellt von Electroimpact in Washington, wird die Produktion großer kohlenstofffaserverstärkter Strukturen für das Neutron-Startfahrzeug automatisieren.
Die AFP-Maschine kann bis zu 30 Meter lang fahren, Kohlenstofffaserverbundwerkstoffe mit einer Geschwindigkeit von 100 Metern pro Minute ablegen und verfügt über ein automatisiertes Echtzeitinspektionssystem. Es wird erwartet, dass sie etwa 150.000 Fertigungsstunden im Produktionsprozess der Neutron-Rakete einsparen wird. Die Maschine wird auch für Komponenten des Electron-Startfahrzeugs und andere Projekte in der Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie verwendet werden.
- Installation of a custom-built AFP machine to automate production of large carbon composite structures
- Expected to save 150,000+ manufacturing hours in the Neutron rocket's production process
- Automated real-time inspection system for quality assurance
- Versatility to produce components for Electron launch vehicle and other aerospace projects
- None.
Insights
The installation of this custom-built Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine marks a significant leap in Rocket Lab's manufacturing capabilities. With its ability to lay down carbon fiber composite at 328 ft (100 meters) per minute, this machine is set to revolutionize the production of large-scale aerospace components. The expected time savings of
The machine's real-time inspection system is particularly noteworthy, as it ensures high-quality standards important for reusable rockets. This level of automation and quality control could give Rocket Lab a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving commercial space industry. The versatility of the AFP machine, capable of producing components for both Neutron and Electron rockets, as well as spacecraft structures, demonstrates Rocket Lab's strategic approach to maximizing their investment and expanding their manufacturing capabilities across their product line.
This development signifies Rocket Lab's commitment to vertical integration and cost reduction in their manufacturing process. By bringing such a critical component of rocket production in-house, they're positioning themselves to better control their supply chain and potentially reduce costs in the long run. The 99-ton (90-tonne) AFP machine represents a substantial capital investment, indicating Rocket Lab's confidence in the future demand for their launch services and space systems.
The ability to produce 91 ft (28 meter) length interstages and 22.9 ft (7 meter) diameter first stages autonomously could significantly enhance Rocket Lab's production scalability. This is important as they aim to compete with industry giants in the medium-lift launch market. The emphasis on reusability for Neutron, coupled with advanced manufacturing techniques, suggests a strategic focus on achieving lower cost-per-launch figures, which could be a key differentiator in attracting commercial and government contracts.
The 90-tonne Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine has been custom-designed and built for Rocket Lab and is expected to save around 150,000 manufacturing hours in the Neutron rocket’s production process.
Rocket Lab's automated fiber placement machine which will build large composite structures for the Neutron rocket. (Photo: Business Wire)
The custom-built 99 ton (90 tonne), 39 ft tall (12-meter) robotic machine, American-made by Electroimpact in
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. The AFP machine also has a fully automated real-time inspection system that hunts for miniscule defects throughout the laminated carbon composite and alerts the machine operator of any issues before the machine begins laying down the next layer, providing additional assurance that these critical structures of the launch vehicle meet Rocket Lab’s high-quality standards required for reusable Neutron launches.
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.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “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. We worked closely with our excellent partners at Electroimpact to create this robot and we’re thrilled with the results. It’s an innovative machine producing a next-generation rocket from one of the birthplaces of the aerospace industry in
The AFP machine will also be leveraged to print smaller carbon composite Neutron structures, first stages of Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle, and other flight-proven carbon composite structures for space including spacecraft structural panels and assemblies, solar panel substrates, carbon composite tanks and primary structures, and custom projects for the aerospace industry.
About Neutron
Neutron is the new medium-lift reusable launch vehicle by Rocket Lab. Capable of carrying up to 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit, Neutron is designed to deliver constellations of satellites to space at once, important national security missions, and human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. Neutron will be the world’s first medium-lift carbon composite rocket, building off of Rocket Lab’s proprietary and flight-proven techniques utilized across 50+ launches of its Electron carbon composite small orbital launch vehicle. Powering Neutron is Rocket Lab’s new 3D printed reusable rocket engine Archimedes, an oxygen-rich staged combustion engine using liquid oxygen and methane propellants that is designed for rapid reusability, deep throttle ability for multiple engine burns in space, and for propulsive landings when returning to the launch site. Neutron will launch and land at its own dedicated launch and test range within Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on
+ About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in
+ Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding our launch and space systems operations, launch schedule and window, safe and repeatable access to space, Neutron development, operational expansion and business strategy are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808270093/en/
+ Rocket Lab Media Contact
Morgan Connaughton
media@rocketlabusa.com
Source: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
FAQ
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