Composites Processes

Processes in composites manufacturing encompass a diverse array of techniques employed to fabricate composite materials. These processes include methods like hand layup, where layers of resin and reinforcement materials are manually placed, and vacuum infusion, where a vacuum draws resin into a preform. Other techniques like compression molding, filament winding, and automated methods such as 3D printing are utilized to create intricate and specialized composite structures. Each process offers unique advantages in terms of precision, scalability, and efficiency, catering to diverse industry needs. As technology advances, newer methods are emerging, promising faster production cycles, reduced waste, and increased customization, driving the evolution of composite manufacturing towards more sophisticated and versatile methodologies.

Industrializing additive manufacturing in the defense/aerospace sector
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Industrializing additive manufacturing in the defense/aerospace sector

GA-ASI demonstrates a path forward for the use of additive technologies for composite tooling, flight-qualified parts.  

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Compression Molding
Wickert Hydraulic Presses

Latest Processes Articles

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UMaine’s novel polymer 3D printer surpasses former Guinness World Record

Four times larger than its 2019 predecessor, Factory of the Future 1.0 offers new opportunities in composite materials, including development of recycled and bio-based materials, opening up new research frontiers.

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Fabrics/Preforms

Designing an infused, two-piece composite baseball bat

With its Icon BBCOR bat, Rawlings leveraged its experience in braided fabrics and RTM to create an optimized, higher-performance two-piece design.

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RTM

From the CW Archives: The life and death of the BMW i3

A look back at the ambitious and impressive composites production system BMW developed for production of the all-electric i3 EV.

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VoxelMatters report reveals top companies in composites AM

The new market study identifies key players in a $785 million global market that has grown by 21% year on year.

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Belotti, Cosberg partner for advanced automated assembly solutions

The Italy-based companies merge technological know-how to develop novel systems for the processing and assembly of light alloys and carbon fiber components.

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ATL/AFP

Electroimpact offers variable spot size laser AFP 4.0 technology

Patented process technology increases quality, reliability and machine utilization for composite laminate production.  

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Knowledge Centers

CW Tech Days
CW Tech Days

During CW Tech Days: Thermoplastics for Large Structures, experts explored the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition to large-part manufacturing.

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Sustainability
Sustainability

The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.

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TOPCON24
Kent Pultrusion
Wabash
Toray Advanced Composites
Kraussmaffei Metering Systems

Latest Processes News And Updates

Carbon Fibers

ILAuNCH Trailblazer project to use AM technologies to produce large-scale composite rockets

ILAuNCH partnership, joined by ANU and New Frontier Technologies, will develop a qualified manufacturing process that will directly contribute to the development of launch vehicle development.

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Materialise adds three materials to enhance industrial 3D printing

Materialise expands additive manufacturing portfolio with early adoption of new HP PA 12S and integration of PA 11 and PA-CF materials.

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Fiber Dynamics invests in GX 1100 DCIM from KraussMaffei

Direct compounding injection molding (DCIM) enables the composites company to develop, test and protect its own recipe formulations, while increasing cycle times by eight times and reducing energy consumption.

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Wind/Energy

UMaine researchers aim to recycle wind turbine blades as 3D printing material

With a DOE grant in hand, UMaine’s ASCC seeks to develop an approach to recycle shredded wind turbine blade material as a cost-effective reinforcement and filler for large-scale 3D printing.

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Exel Composites supplies fiberglass profiles for Foton electric buses

Partnership with Chinese automotive manufacturer will see the implementation of pultruded profiles in various bus models, backed by weight savings, complex geometries and long life.  

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Airtech, AES partner to grow LFAM applications

Airtech will provide extensive AM support, while AES commits to exclusive use of Airtech products, all of which will further materials development, market strategies and design practices.

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pro-set epoxy laminate infusion tool high temp Tg
CompositesWorld
CompositesWorld
HEATCON Composite Systems
CompositesWorld

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Filament Winding

Optimizing robotic winding of composite tanks and pipes

Pioneer in mandrel-based reinforced rubber and composite products, TANIQ offers TaniqWindPro software and robotic winding expertise for composite pressure vessels and more.

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Filament Winding

Carbon fiber composite pallet revolutionizes freight industry

LOG Point Pallet fuses advanced materials with innovative design and manufacturing to improve supply chains worldwide.

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AI-powered robotic solutions support high-mix manufacturing

AI startup offers automation innovations for high-mix, high-variability, manual surface finishing applications.

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Infusion

Revisiting the double vacuum debulk process

Evolution of the double vacuum debulk (DVD) process over the years continues to advance its “near autoclave quality” for low-void, highly compacted repair patches.

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Ketones

Eaton developing carbon-reinforced PEKK to replace aluminum in aircraft air ducts

3D printable material will meet ESD, flammability and other requirements to allow for flexible manufacturing of ducts, without tooling needed today.

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Natural Fibers

Optimizing machining for composites: Tool designs, processes and Industry 4.0 systems

Hufschmied moves beyond optimized milling and drilling tools to develop SonicShark inline quality control system and Cutting Edge World cloud platform for optimized tool use and processes.

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KraussMaffei Metering Systems
Harper International Carbon Fiber
CAMX 2024
3D industrial laser projection
Airtech International Inc.