News briefs -- June 2, 2009

Composites One (Arlington Heights, Ill., USA) has announced that the Closed Mold Alliance has launched a website aimed at those wishing to convert to closed mold manufacturing. This website will provide guidance, online information, and tools to those interested in closed mold conversion. The website can be found at www.closedmoldalliance.com. The website offers general closed molding information, educational opportunities, access to expert consultation and closed mold specific products. Those visiting the site will also find various resources, including photos and videos, as well as a means to request a “How to Get Started in Closed Molding Kit.” The Closed Mold Alliance is comprised of four industry leaders: Composites One; Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP); RTM North; and FormaShape, a division of Whitewater Composites.

Flow International Corp. (Kent, Wash., USA), a developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, has announced the appointment of Allen Hsieh as vice president and CFO. Hsieh will oversee all of Flow's financial functions from the company's headquarters and report directly to Charley Brown, Flow’s president and CEO. Hsieh joined Flow on December 4, 2008, when he was appointed interim CFO.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has named Dr. Fort F. Felker director of NREL's National Wind Technology Center. Felker is a cofounder of Winglet Technology LLC and former director of engineering analysis and test at Kenetech Windpower. Felker was most recently vice president of Winglet Technology, a company that has commercialized his patented design of elliptical winglets for business aircraft, an invention that reduces drag and fuel consumption, improving the range and takeoff performance of aircraft. Before his six-year stint as an entrepreneur, Felker was an engineering analyst at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, Calif., USA) where he developed the underlying theory and computational modeling for hypersonic flow about re-entry vehicles undergoing extreme maneuvers. He also served as a senior scientist at Livermore Software Technology Corp.

Seminars For Engineers USA (Madison, N.J., USA), a division of Sensor Products Inc. USA, announces in association with BTG Composites LLC, its 2009 Composite Materials Failure, Analysis & Repair seminar. The event is July 15-16, 2009 in Chicago, Ill., USA. The seminar focuses on advanced composites topics associated with composite materials design, failure analysis and repair technologies. Background theory and design/failure/analysis scenarios are supported through examples, case studies and practical dos and don’ts associated with real world composites applications. Micromechanics, laminated plate theory (LPT), strength prediction and failure theories, finite element analysis (FEA) approaches, joint design methodology, tooling and dimensional control interactions, damage and repair methodology and numerous references are the focal points of this workshop. Visit www.seminarsforengineers.com, e-mail info@seminarsforengineers.com or call +1 973-560-9092.