Virtual testing of composites: Beyond make & break
Software-based micromechanical modeling and analysis methods promise faster and more cost-effective aircraft development and testing programs.

Software enables submarine shipyard’s composites-for-metal effort
When Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (Kiel, Germany) looked for a software solution to reduce the risk of using composites for a greater range of thicker parts, FiberSIM software from VISTAGY Inc. (Waltham, Mass.) enabled its engineers to develop initial designs more quickly and to better understand the impact of design changes.

Siemens acquires composites software firm VISTAGY
Siemens will add U.S.-based VISTAGY, which makes software to aid in the design of composite structures, to its industrial software portfolio for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM).

Airframe assembly and fastener software expanded
VISTAGY Inc. has announced that SyncroFIT 2011, the CAD-integrated, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solution for managing airframe assemblies with an emphasis on fastened structures, is now integrated with NX software.

CGTech, VISTAGY form drilling, fastening joint venture
CGTech's VERICUT Drilling & Fastening solution will be integrated with VISTAGY's SyncroFIT software for designing and manufacturing aerostructures.

Airframe assembly and fastener software expanded
VISTAGY Inc. has announced that SyncroFIT 2011, the CAD-integrated, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solution for managing airframe assemblies with an emphasis on fastened structures, is now integrated with NX software, the flagship CAD/CAM/CAE solution from Siemens PLM Software.

Survey: Composites designers have a lot to learn
Composites design specialist VISTAGY has conducted a survey that shows a large proportion of respondents believe they need to enhance their knowledge of the composites manufacturing process in order to remain competitive.

WINDPOWER 2011 Report
Wind energy advocates, turbine builders and their suppliers, policy makers, and a growing number of wind-involved composites professionals gather where it all began.

FiberSIM picked by BAE for composites aerospace work
BAE Systems Composite Structures Inc. has purchased FiberSIM software to design and manufacture parts for commercial aircraft programs, including an auxiliary power unit plenum.

News Briefs: Feb. 8, 2011
Composite kitter CAD Cut opens new facility in Denton, Texas; Jet Edge opens service and showroom office in Shanghai, China; Marine Concepts celebrates 35 years in business; TP Composites recertified to ISO 9001-2008 and ISO 17025-2005; Teijin reorganizes carbon fiber and composites businesses; VISTAGY donates FiberSIM to UMass Amherst.

Integrated engineering software
ANSYS and VISTAGY Inc. have announced the bidirectional integration of ANSYS 13.0 Composite PrepPost and FiberSIM 2010 composites engineering software.

Cobham Antenna Systems invests in ply simulation software
Engineering software provider VISTAGY Inc. says Cobham Antenna Systems, a business unit of Cobham Plc, had purchased FiberSIM software.

Composites design software updated
VISTAGY Inc. has introduced FiberSIM 2010, the latest version of its engineering software for designing and manufacturing composite structures.

Quickstep picks FiberSIM for F-35 composites work
Quickstep Technologies is using VISTAGY's FiberSIM composites engineering software to manufacture the lower side skins, maintenance access panels, the F2 fuel tank cover, and the lower skin and in-board weapons bay doors.

Learjet 85 composite pressurized cabin a cost cutter
Single-piece carbon fiber composite structure selected over multipiece aluminum fuselage barrel section in new bizjet design.

Russian firm picks FiberSIM to drive MAG fiber placement system
Russian engineering and consulting firm SOLVER will use VISTAGY's FiberSIM with a Viper 1200 automated fiber placement (AFP) system from MAG to design and manufacture composite parts on behalf of Voronezh Aircraft Plant.

Bombardier will use VISTAGY software for CSeries wing work
Bombardier Aerospace has purchased VISTAGY’s SyncroFIT software to compress the time and improve the accuracy of assembly development for its commercial aircraft programs, beginning with the wing of the CSeries jetliner.

The Private Space Race
NASA passes the development torch to legacy contractors and NewSpace entrepreneurs, igniting a new competition in space transport.

VISTAGY offers FiberSIM course at NIAR
The "Introduction to FiberSIM" course to be held at Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR, Wichita, Kan., USA) Aug. 3-5.

People Briefs: HPC July 2010
VISTAGY names Bruce Boes VP of product management and marketing.

GKN picks VISTAGY software for CSeries winglet design
GKN Aerospace will use VISTAGY's FiberSIM and SyncroFIT software packages to design winglets for Bombardier's CSeries aircraft program.

Integrated layup-quality inspection system
VISTAGY Inc. and Assembly Guidance Systems have integrated the former’s FiberSIM composites engineering software with Automatic Ply Verification (APV), an inspection feature of the latter’s LASERGUIDE laser projection system.

JEC Composites Show 2010 Highlights
Despite the volcanic ash that clouded air travel, an eruption of new technology and new business did much to dispel the clouds of economic recession.

News and product briefs: JEC Composites Show
Product and technology news from Cytec, Lomold, 3B, Huntsman, Weber and VISTAGY.

Orion re-entry system: Composites displace metal
World’s largest heat shield updates metal design with out-of-autoclave process.

News briefs: March 23, 2009
AOC donates DSC to University of Memphis; Boeing considers carbon fiber for 777 wings; Cook Composites and Polymers celebrates 20 years; Composite Resources hires Kevin Bialas and Mike Fuller; Composites One launches MIRteq; Exova receives Nadcap certification; HEATCON earns AS9100 certification; Interplastic increases resin prices; Park promotes Gregory Strand to VP of Aerospace Structures Engineering; PPG increases fiberglass prices; Kaman Helicopters to use VISTAGY's FiberSIM; Zyvax will sponsor SAMPE bridge and wing contest.

Bombardier picks FiberSIM for CSeries, Lear Jet composites work
VISTAGY's composites design software will be used on CSeries and Lear Jet 85 jets.

VISTAGY forms partnership with NIAR
The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University will use VISTAGY's FiberSIM composites design software.

Maxoft to sell, support VISTAGY's FiberSIM
Korea-based Maxoft is a supplier of virtual product development software and services.

VISTAGY, BETA CAE Systems form technology partnership
A product that integrates VISTAGY's FiberSIM and BETA CAE Systems' ANSA CAE software will be available in first quarter 2010.

Verisurf, VISTAGY announce involvement in SpaceX composites work
Verisurf will provide metrology technology, while VISTAGY will provide FiberSIM software for the design and development of composite structures on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft program.

Simulation simplifies fabrication of all-composite crew module
Specialized simulation software shortens development cycle on first all-composite crew module demonstrator for NASA space program.

Turkish Aerospace selects VISTAGY's FiberSIM for UAV composites design
Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. will use FiberSIM to streamline the design-to-manufacturing process for complex composite parts in the the Turkish Indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV.

CompositesWorld Expo announces updated conference agenda
Steve Luby, president and CEO of VISTAGY Inc., will open the Advanced track of the CompositesWorld Exo Technical Conference. The show is Sept. 28-30 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill.

JEC COMPOSITES 2009 Product Showcase
Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

News briefs -- June 16, 2009
Ara Ashland names Mastergel Composites as distributor in southern Brazil; CCP, Interplastic raises prices $0.05/lb; ISU developing bio-plastics software; Jet Edge puts used equipment on its site; Lectra names Hervé Claverie as director of projects and strategic accounts; Scott Bader increases prices 4 to 6 percent; Sealant Equipment hires Ken Jacobs for marketing post; VISTAGY Inc. picks Joshua Fredberg as the company's first vice president of product management and marketing.

JEC Composites 2009 showcase
 Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

AFP/ATL design-to-manufacture: Bridging the gap
Managing production of a structure made via fiber or tape placement often requires software-aided  manipulation of the subtle differences between that which is designed and that which can be manufactured.

Composites engineering and product development software
VISTAGY releases FiberSIM 2009.

New release of composites design software
VISTAGY's FiberSIM 2009 is released, as well as new product AeroSuite.

Premium AEROTEC picks FiberSIM for aerospace design work
Premium AEROTEC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, will use the composites design and engineering software to develop fuselage structures.

VISTAGY partners with Russian aerospace firm(2)
VISTAGY's FiberSIM is being used in Russia to design composite aircraft structures.

CompositesWorld's second Investment Forum explores down market pros and cons
Speakers at the CompositesWorld Investment Forum in New York last week offered much to consider as use of composites continues to evolve in aerospace, wind and other markets.

News briefs -- Feb. 24, 2009
Bob Lacovera leaves ACMA to create CONVERGENT COMPOSITES; Duoline names Bill White plant manager; Richmond Aircraft Products and Aerovac Systems are combined to create Richmond Aerovac; Airborne Composites buys VISTAGY's FiberSIM for G650 composites work;

Aircraft simulation gets composites aware
Rapid software evolution enables faster, better virtual solutions to complex composite design problems.

News briefs—Feb. 17, 2009
Arkema launches carbon nanotubes website; AVK seeks applications for innovation awards; Cray Valley will open third demonstration and training center in South Korea; High Modulus celebrates 30 years in business; ITW Plexus updates its website; Brazil's MVC picks LORD as best supplier in 2008; Morphic will test small-scale wind turbine with carbon fiber blades; Scott Bader launches Crestapol microsite; Toho Tenax reportedly begins layoffs at Tennessee carbon fiber plant; VISTAGY, ATK to host webinar on composites manufacturing automation.

News briefs -- Feb. 3, 2009
Methods celebrates 50 years in business; Nilfisk offers leasing program for vacuum systems; Novacel opens Czech sales office; International Plastics Design Competition entries due April 1; NSF certifies geohermal pipes to Canadian standards; Paul Ness promoted at PlastiComp; Pat Wood joins TPI Composites Board of Directors; VISTAGY revenue increased 30 percent in 2008.

German boatbuilder picks VISTAGY for composites work
Howaldtswerke-Deutsch Werft GmbH has purchased VISTAGY's FiberSIM software to design and manufacture parts for submarines made of advanced composite materials.

VISTAGY Webinar to focus on composites in airframe manufacturing
The Nov. 20 event will feature INCAT Solution architect Frank Garcia and focus on methods for integrating composite and assembly design tools with manufacturing, quality planning and the supply chain.

COMPOSITESWORLD Expo 2008 Showcase
The inaugural COMPOSITESWORLD Expo Conference and Exhibition draws participants from all segmentsof the industry, including many new faces.

COMPOSITESWORLD EXPO Showcase
The inaugural COMPOSITESWORLD Expo Conference and Exhibition draws participants from all segments of the industry, including many new faces.

VISTAGY, CGTech announce fiber placement partnership
VISTAGY and CGTech will integrate software for development and optimization of composite structures manufactured using automated fiber placement technology.

VISTAGY partners with CSM Vigyan to expand Indian presence
CSM is a virtual product development solution provider that primarily serves the automotive and aerospace industries.

COMPOSITESWORLD Expo Preshow Preview
CWExpo organizers pull aside the curtain for a sneak preview of the Expo's two keynote speakers and some new products that exhibitors will have on display in Schaumburg.

Formula 1 team accelerates design-to-track speed
Race car builder automates manual chassis design phase with unique FEA-to-CAD utility.

Simulation software upgrade - 10/1/2007
VISTAGY Inc. (Waltham, Mass.) has announced the availability of FiberSIM 5.3, the company’s product development and simulation program for composites manufacturing that is often integrated with finite element analysis (FEA) applications. It features a new module that enables quality engineers to use 3-D design data

Simulation software upgrade
VISTAGY Inc. (Waltham, Mass.) has announced the availability of FiberSIM 5.3, the company’s product development and simulation program for composites manufacturing that is often integrated with finite element analysis (FEA) applications. It features a new module that allows quality engineers to use 3-D design data

Simulation software - 8/1/2007
ANSYS Inc. (Southpointe, Pa.) has released ANSYS 11.0, the newest version of its simulation software suite designed for product development processes. The latest version includes a number of new features in analysis, meshing and optimization, including Variational Technology in the solver, which reduces the overall

FEA Software Release
ANSYS Inc. (Southpointe, Pa.) has released ANSYS 11.0, which includes new features in analysis, meshing and optimization, including Variational Technology in the solver, which reduces the overall number of iterations for nonlinear static and transient analyses, allowing the user to perform “what if” scenarios faster

JEC Composites 2007 Product Showcase
This year’s Parisian exhibition provides key evidence of the composites industry’s unprecedented breadth and technical sophistication.

JEC COMPOSITES 2007 Highlights
Advanced composites make notable marks not only in traditional aerospace apps, but in automotive, sport and infrastructure arenas as well.

FEA Roundup: Design, Simulation And Analysis Converge
New modeling and analysis software products increase the accessibility and reliability of finite element analysis data.

Product development software
VISTAGY Inc.’s (Waltham, Mass.) newest version of its FiberSIM software includes a feature designed to accommodate “spring back” in a part when it is removed from a tool. Thermal deformation can impact the final shape of a composite part by causing it to “spring” when it is removed from the tool. The feature enables

JEC Composites 2006 Product Showcase - 7/1/2006
Advanced composites continue to lead the economic upswing in the composites industry.

F1 Racing Team Speeds Chassis Design/production With Aerospace Software
The Renault Formula1 racing team (Enstone, U.K.) builds its car chasses, wings and other components from composites. Tight manufacturing control and fast turnaround are crucial to meet race schedules. The team recently chose VISTAGY Inc.'s (Waltham, Mass.) trademarked FiberSIM software to help streamline its design

Why Microstructure Matters
Microtesting composite materials speeds seleMicrotesting composite materials speeds selection, allowing designers to consider more possibilities.ction, allowing designers to consider more possibilities.

CAD/simulation software
VISTAGY Inc. (Waltham, Mass.) has release version 5.0 of its FiberSIM software. New features include an Advanced Composite Engineering Environment that automates many of the repetitive design, simulation and manufacturing tasks peculiar to working with composites. Additionally, the program offers zone-based design,

Design software
VISTAGY Inc. (Waltham, Mass., U.S.A.) has released EnCapta 3.0 software, which enables engineers working with computer-aided-design (CAD) systems to transform the geometric digital model into a complete digital product definition that includes essential nongeometric information. The latest release of EnCapta has new

Post-show review of the 2004 U.S. SAMPE Symposium
Largest-ever Symposium serves up a large helping of news and new technologies from advanced composites suppliers.

Airline maintenance facility cuts repair costs while improving part quality
Delta TechOps uses simulation software to standardize repair procedures and bring work back in-house.

Nacelle manufacturers optimize hand layup and consider closed molding methods
Focused on optimizing traditional hand layup, nacelle and thrust reverser manufacturers cast an eye on future use of automation and closed molding.

Fiber Placement The Centerpiece Of NCAM
Cryogenic composites just one facet of Lockheed Martins National Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

Parts consolidation key to lower cost composites
Reducing part count creates new engineering challenges.

Liquid Composite Molding Achieves Aerospace Quality
Improvements in materials, tooling and process control bring RTM and VARTM into the realm of aerospace components.

SAMPE Wrap Up And Product Showcase
Exhibitions on both sides of the Atlantic spur optimism and spotlight innovative technology.

JEC Composites 2003 SAMPE Europe Conference Review
Paris is the debut stage for a galaxy of composites industry innovations.