Bombardier chooses LaserEdge to produce composite wings

Virtek’s LaserEdge system is a three-dimensional laser templating system that eliminates the need for physical templates by precisely projecting a laser template onto molds to guide operators through the complex ply layup process, thereby ensuring quality and maximizing productivity.

Not simply providing the technology for this project, Virtek’s applications experts collaborated closely with Bombardier along the way to help find ways of overcoming the challenges involved in making these very critical and complex components.

Bombardier’s Belfast facility is responsible for the development, manufacture and assembly of the wings for the CSeries aircraft, a twin-engine, medium-range, jet airliner aimed at the 100- to 149-seat market.

Todd Rhodes, vice president and general manager of Virtek Vision, said, “For more than 15 years, Virtek has been a proud supplier of laser projection systems to Bombardier. Given the company’s prominence in the aerospace industry and reputation for quality, we have taken advantage of several opportunities to integrate Bombardier’s suggestions for product improvements into our product roadmaps.”

To date, Virtek has supplied LaserEdge projection systems to Bombardier manufacturing sites in Europe, Canada and Mexico.

The extensive use of advanced structural materials in the manufacture of CSeries aircraft results in significant weight savings and contributes to the 20 percent fuel burn advantage target over in-production aircraft in its class.

Gerber Technology