Strata delivers shipsets of A350-900 inboard flaps for Airbus

Strata delivers 100 shipsets of A350-900 inboard flaps for Airbus. Image: Strata 

Having completed the full First Article Inspection for the fabrication of six IBF components at its state-of-the-art facility in the Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park, Strata now assumes fabrication and assembly duties in partnership with Airbus.

To fully-automate the IBF manufacturing process, Strata will utilise Hot Drape Forming (HDF) and computer-controlled robotic Automated Tape Layup (ATL) machines, which gained First Part Qualification and First Article Inspection design and quality verifications early this year.

“As we continue growing as a company, investments in exploring and developing innovative technology that facilitates speed, precision and accuracy across our manufacturing process, such as the ATL and HDF machines, is essential. By strengthening our automated manufacturing capabilities, we aim to reinforce our ‘Made with Pride in the UAE’ seal of quality assurance and maintain our decade-long tradition of delivering on commitments and obligations to Airbus and other global OEM partners,” Abdulla added.

As part of the manufacturing process, Strata’s HDF machine pre-forms carbon fibre components for aircraft parts and enables faster production of high-quality composite parts. Its infrared radiation heating system quickly and evenly softens carbon fibre, delivering accurate parts free from stress-wrinkling. Strata’s two ATL machines lay unidirectional prepreg materials onto a flatbed before being transferred to a mould for further processing. Its work envelope of 2.5 meters by 10 meters enables automated processing of large composite layups, eliminates the need for a separate ultrasonic cutting machine, and drastically reduces processing times.

To help reduce fuel consumption and operating costs, improve passenger comfort, and lower the environmental impact of air travel, 53 per cent of the A350-900 is built using light composite materials. Designed to increase the total lift capability of the wing of an aircraft, an IBF is mounted on the trailing edge of the wing to increase the wing’s surface during take-off and landing and improve stability during flight.