China News Service, Shanghai, March 12 (Reporters: Zheng Yingying, Ma Shuaisha, Cai Qiang) The 1st Shanghai Commercial Aerospace Conference & Exhibition 2026 was held in Shanghai from March 12 to 14. On site, an intelligent production line demonstrated the manufacturing process of launch vehicle fuel tanks. With sequential processing by dedicated equipment, metal plates were welded into cylinder sections and tank bottoms, and finally assembled into complete fuel tanks ready for subsequent installation.

On March 12, the 1st Shanghai Commercial Aerospace Conference & Exhibition 2026 kicked off in Shanghai. In the picture, staff from Suzhou Equipment Company of Factory 149, Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, introduce the sand table of the friction stir welding production line for launch vehicle fuel tanks to visitors. (Photo by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)

Currently, China's commercial aerospace industry has evolved from the technology verification stage into a new era of large-scale intelligent manufacturing and industrialized development. "In recent years, we have steadily implemented a three-step strategy of technological innovation, industrial collaboration and project implementation, and continuously explored new forms and models of intelligent manufacturing," said Wei Ye, a person in charge of Suzhou Equipment Company of Factory 149.

The complete welding production line and core processes displayed at the event target key components of launch vehicles. Focusing on critical procedures including 3D welding of tank bottoms, circumferential seam final welding and double-sided longitudinal seam welding, it integrates high-precision automatic welding equipment, adaptive welding processes, on-line quality monitoring and full-process data traceability technologies, enabling reliable welding of various special aerospace materials.

Developed by Suzhou Equipment Company of Factory 149 affiliated to Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, this intelligent production line serves as a full-chain welding solution for launch vehicle fuel tanks, covering core technologies such as intelligent sensing, system integration and advanced process development.