Report from the plant where the union machine is being created
Machine tools are the main means of production. Without high-quality machine tool equipment, it is impossible to produce the required products, including for the machine-building industry. Belarus and Russia, under restrictions and sanctions, promptly made the necessary decisions and are now actively developing cooperation in machine tool manufacturing. The result of joint work will soon be clearly demonstrated. We are talking about a union machine tool. One of the leading enterprises in the industry, OJSC Stankozavod "Krasny Borets" in the city of Orsha, Vitebsk region, is actively involved in its development. The correspondent of "Soyuz" visited here. Here they are working on the production of unique equipment that will replace imported analogues.
The modern history of the plant is usually counted from 1959, when the first surface grinding machine model 3B71 was developed and produced. From this period, a new era began in the history of the enterprise – the production of high and ultra-high precision surface grinding machines. And since then, it has been called a machine tool plant, and the products of "Krasny Borets" have gained worldwide fame. Today, 580 people work here.
— We are not called "Krasny Borets" for nothing, — says Alexander Sergeevich. — There was aand difficult times, especially after the collapse of the USSR. But all this was endured with dignity. Now, when the West imposed sanctions, they thought it would not be easy either. Nevertheless, there are enough orders, and the salary is good. The leadership of our countries quickly found common ground, and today, together with the Russians, we are working on the production of unique equipment that will replace imported analogues.
I didn't distract the grinder for long, as every minute counts for the workers. They are busy producing a union machine tool, which will be shown to the public in Moscow at the "Metalworking-2024" exhibition next month.
— Believe me, we will surprise you, — confidently adds his colleague, milling machine operator Dmitry Pakhomenko. — Just a couple of years ago, it was hard to believe, but today we can produce world-class equipment on our own.
The director of the plant, Vitaly Krutko, spoke about what the union machine tool will be like and where it is in demand:
— We will demonstrate a cylindrical grinding machine manufactured using Belarusian and Russian components. Thus, we will show that we can replace critical imports with a mass product. The main basic parts will be produced in Belarus. This is a universal machine tool that is in demand at every medium and large enterprise. For example, entire workshops of MTZ can be equipped with them.
— Currently, our enterprise is actively working on supplying grinding equipment to Russian enterprises. The main sales market for OJSC Stankozavod "Krasny Borrets" for the past period and under contracts concluded for 2024-2025 are enterprises of the United Engine Corporation of Russia, — the director reported. — The main products of these enterprises are turbine engines for military and civilian aircraft, marine vessels, and space rockets. Machine tools for grinding turbine blades, which are used in large quantities in the manufacture of engines for both aircraft and gas generator units used in energy equipment, are particularly in demand. Understanding the urgency of the issue, we are mastering the production of a new type of equipment for ourselves — five-axis CNC grinding machining centers. This type of equipment has not been produced in Belarus before, but it is in demand among Russian gas turbine blade manufacturers who cannot afford imported equipment.
Over the past two years, the Orsha enterprise has been actively cooperating with CJSC Transmashholding, the largest developer and manufacturer of rolling stock for railway and urban rail transport in Russia and one of the largest in the world. They are supplied with grinding equipment.
— The company is the only developer and manufacturer of medium-speed engines in Russia, a major producer of castings for railway transport. Today, the holding company produces rolling stock of almost all existing types.ov. Currently, equipment is being manufactured under concluded contracts, and prospective supplies of grinding equipment to the holding's enterprises are being worked out, — Vitaly Krutko is pleased with the results of the cooperation.
He also asked the director about plans for the production of new equipment under the "Union" brand. Vitaly Krutko noted that in the very near future, the need for imports in both Belarusian and Russian enterprises will completely disappear.
From a Barrel to a Supermachine
In the spacious workshops equipped with the latest equipment, there is nothing today that reminds of the starting point of the factory's history. And it is quite curious. The beginning of the Orsha Machine Tool Plant "Krasny Borets" was the mechanical workshops built on the bank of the Orshitsa River in 1900 by local townspeople Slavinsky and Yasinsky. The first products of the mechanical workshops were barrels, tanks, machines and apparatus for mills and distilleries, and agricultural implements. The workshops developed quite rapidly and by 1914 grew into a small factory. It became the main metal-processing enterprise in Orsha, which in 1928 was named "Mechanical and Cast Iron Foundry Plant "Krasny Borets".The modern history of the plant is usually counted from 1959, when the first surface grinding machine model 3B71 was developed and produced. From this period, a new era began in the history of the enterprise – the production of high and ultra-high precision surface grinding machines. And since then, it has been called a machine tool plant, and the products of "Krasny Borets" have gained worldwide fame. Today, 580 people work here.
We will make and show
It is interesting to know what people "from the machine tool" think about the current situation at the production, its prospects, and cooperation with Russian enterprises. Let's meet: Alexander Shinkevich, a grinder in workshop No. 4. He is called a veteran here; he has been at the factory for over 30 years.— We are not called "Krasny Borets" for nothing, — says Alexander Sergeevich. — There was aand difficult times, especially after the collapse of the USSR. But all this was endured with dignity. Now, when the West imposed sanctions, they thought it would not be easy either. Nevertheless, there are enough orders, and the salary is good. The leadership of our countries quickly found common ground, and today, together with the Russians, we are working on the production of unique equipment that will replace imported analogues.
I didn't distract the grinder for long, as every minute counts for the workers. They are busy producing a union machine tool, which will be shown to the public in Moscow at the "Metalworking-2024" exhibition next month.
— Believe me, we will surprise you, — confidently adds his colleague, milling machine operator Dmitry Pakhomenko. — Just a couple of years ago, it was hard to believe, but today we can produce world-class equipment on our own.
The director of the plant, Vitaly Krutko, spoke about what the union machine tool will be like and where it is in demand:
— We will demonstrate a cylindrical grinding machine manufactured using Belarusian and Russian components. Thus, we will show that we can replace critical imports with a mass product. The main basic parts will be produced in Belarus. This is a universal machine tool that is in demand at every medium and large enterprise. For example, entire workshops of MTZ can be equipped with them.
Working Hours
In the current geopolitical situation, "Krasny Borets" cannot count on cooperation with Western companies. The focus is on cooperation with Russia. The director of the enterprise is reminded of this by his wristwatch, which features the flags of the two allied countries on its dial. And time is measured by deeds. In September last year, Belarus and Russia signed a roadmap for the development of machine tool manufacturing. This gave the plant new momentum. 6 billion Russian rubles have been allocated for the development of this area.And today, 94 percent of exports go to Russia.— As for this program, cooperation ties are being developed between Belarusian and Russian enterprises for the development and manufacturing of components for so-called critical imports, — Vitaly Krutko explains the essence of the matter.o. — I will name just a few items: ball screw drives, linear guides, numerical control systems. This work is at its very beginning. This year, we are in an investment phase. We are purchasing equipment for the production of screw drives, and next year we plan to release pilot products and establish mass production.
Cooperation in Action
By the way, Belarusian machine tools have been used at major Russian enterprises for several years. Therefore, when the question arose as to whom to develop industrial cooperation with, Russian manufacturers did not hesitate for long.— Currently, our enterprise is actively working on supplying grinding equipment to Russian enterprises. The main sales market for OJSC Stankozavod "Krasny Borrets" for the past period and under contracts concluded for 2024-2025 are enterprises of the United Engine Corporation of Russia, — the director reported. — The main products of these enterprises are turbine engines for military and civilian aircraft, marine vessels, and space rockets. Machine tools for grinding turbine blades, which are used in large quantities in the manufacture of engines for both aircraft and gas generator units used in energy equipment, are particularly in demand. Understanding the urgency of the issue, we are mastering the production of a new type of equipment for ourselves — five-axis CNC grinding machining centers. This type of equipment has not been produced in Belarus before, but it is in demand among Russian gas turbine blade manufacturers who cannot afford imported equipment.
Over the past two years, the Orsha enterprise has been actively cooperating with CJSC Transmashholding, the largest developer and manufacturer of rolling stock for railway and urban rail transport in Russia and one of the largest in the world. They are supplied with grinding equipment.
— The company is the only developer and manufacturer of medium-speed engines in Russia, a major producer of castings for railway transport. Today, the holding company produces rolling stock of almost all existing types.ov. Currently, equipment is being manufactured under concluded contracts, and prospective supplies of grinding equipment to the holding's enterprises are being worked out, — Vitaly Krutko is pleased with the results of the cooperation.
He also asked the director about plans for the production of new equipment under the "Union" brand. Vitaly Krutko noted that in the very near future, the need for imports in both Belarusian and Russian enterprises will completely disappear.