Composite Applications
Designing and manufacturing turbine test nacelles
Michigan-based Ground Test Solutions (GTS) shares the design and manufacturing processes involved in building composite nacelle components used in testing jet and helicopter engines.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Pull-wound fiberglass composite 5G utility poles enable easier, faster installation
EasyStreet Systems is working with Exel Composites to develop and certify pull-wound fiberglass utility poles aimed at durable, lightweight poles for 5G small cell systems.
Read MoreUrban furniture project demonstrates green potential for composite 3D printing and recycled materials
Large-format AM specialist Caracol and partners designed custom, 3D-printed outdoor furniture with glass fiber-reinforced recycled polypropylene, and conducted an LCA to evaluate and improve the process.
Read MoreBio-based epoxy, recycled materials increase sustainability of all-terrain snowboards
Aiming for a smaller environmental footprint while maintaining high performance, Salomon’s Highpath snowboard line incorporates bio-based epoxy, glass and basalt fiber stringers and recycled materials.
Read MoreRecycling hydrogen tanks to produce automotive structural components
Voith Composites and partners develop recycling solutions for hydrogen storage tanks and manufacturing methods to produce automotive parts from the recycled materials.
Read MoreNanomaterials optimize performance of space-ready carbon fiber composite panels
A recent ESA project led by Adamant Composites aimed to mature nanomaterial-enhanced CFRP for lighter weight, more thermally and electrically conductive materials for manufacturing satellite structures.
Read MoreRunning shoe insoles get a lift with thermoplastic fiberglass tapes
FlexSpring insoles take advantage of unidirectional, continuous fiberglass and thermoplastics to enable next-level performance for the everyday runner.
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Repurposing wind blades as functional community art pieces
Ohio-based Canvus Inc. upcycles fiberglass wind blades, car tires and post-consumer plastics to create outdoor furniture that amplifies sustainability messages in community spaces.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Lighter, stronger, faster bionic hand aided by composites design
Psyonic’s touch-sensing prosthetic hand leverages bionic technology, 3D printing and a carbon fiber composite exterior for light weight, high strength and high-tech functionality.
Read MoreRefurbished Einstein yacht demonstrates innovative composites repair and redesign
Years of creative engineering work went into resurrecting the composites-intensive IMOCA 60 racing yacht — with award-winning results.
Read MoreHigh-temperature composite 3D printing facilitates design, manufacture of deployable space structures
Opterus R&D employs an AON3D printer and OOA prepregs to build the tooling, prototypes and end-use versions of its foldable CFRP satellite structures.
Read MoreCFRP telescopic mast technology adds height, performance to mobile police surveillance
CompoTech’s Compolift technology leverages automated filament winding to provide high-strength, high-stiffness extendable masts for use on mobile surveillance vehicles, boats and more.
Read MoreCFRP tubes enable lightweight advanced fuel sensing gauges
Liquid Measurement Systems’ carbon fiber composite-based capacitance probes provide durable, corrosion-resistant fuel gauging for a variety of aircraft, including a newly launched onboard processing probe (OPP).
Read MoreKite-based energy system aims for high-output, low-impact wind energy
Netherlands-based startup Kitepower’s Falcon airborne wind energy (AWE) system deploys a fiberglass-intensive kite to generate wind energy with a low ground footprint.
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Multi-material, self-sensing, 3D-printed scoliosis braces
Startup Fited and Brightlands Materials Center have developed a lighter weight, thinner CFRP corrective brace, including pressure sensors made from continuous carbon fibers.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Prefabricated composite panels, joining system ease catamaran construction
New Zealand-based G&T Marine reduces assembly and construction time with ATL Composites’ composite DuFLEX panels.
Read MoreCarbon fiber composite hydrofoils to enable “world’s fastest” electric ferry
The Candela P-12 Shuttle, set to launch in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2023, will incorporate lightweight composites and automated manufacturing to combine speed, passenger comfort and energy efficiency.
Read MoreVestas implements composites 3D printing to increase efficiency for blade alignment tools
A Markforged digital repository and multi-material 3D printers enable faster, more accurate and less costly manufacture of a variety of tools and blade components across Vestas sites.
Read MoreData visibility increases efficiency, competitiveness for composite infrastructure solutions company
ClockSpring|NRI builds composite strengthening systems for pipes and civil structures, using Global Shop Solutions ERP software to help track and manage cost and production data.
Read MoreGraphene nanotubes enhance conductivity, performance of composite printing sleeves
Two customer projects demonstrate that small amounts of OCSiAl's TUBALL nanotubes can replace carbon black for fiberglass composite printing sleeves.
Read MoreAthletic shoe developed with repurposed thermoplastic waste
Manufactured via a single-step molding process, Decathlon’s Traxium Compressor soccer cleats propel the sporting goods market toward more recyclable solutions.
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Mold 3D printing helps automate composite bathtub, shower production
As part of its efforts to automate as much of its production process as it can, Lyons Industries acquired a Massivit 10000 additive manufacturing system to quickly produce high-performance molds and support fixtures.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
CFRP breakdown poles designed for lightweight, long-lasting use in marine applications
Shellback Canvas LLC wanted to develop a cost-effective alternative to prepreg poles for its canvas boat awnings. The resulting Blacksticks comprise compression-molded carbon fiber braid and epoxy in a unique process.
Read MorePultruded fiberglass rods enhance athletic training device
Jump Sticks, developed by Flexi-StiX LLC, combine pultruded fiberglass rods within a PVC tube to produce a semi-flexible but resistant training device for enhanced dynamic athletic training.
Read MoreUniversity of Iceland develops process for manufacturing one-piece racecar airfoils
Called the “Spark” method and based on a method for producing CFRP prosthetics, this single-mold, adhesive-free process is said to show potential for a variety of applications.
Read MoreCustomized resin flow mesh products save time, cost for wind turbine blade manufacturers
As longer composite wind blades are developed, customized mesh products help OEMs and kitting companies control resin flow and remove air voids during infusion.
Read MoreHigher performance, lower cost helicopter rotor blades developed with OOA, FAA-qualified composites
Erickson Inc. and partner Toray Advanced Composites replaced legacy aluminum S-64 main rotor blades with out-of-autoclave, multi-material composite alternatives.
Read MoreCollaborative Boeing-led project validates large-scale composite AM tooling
The U.S. Navy-funded program demonstrated a large-scale, autoclave-curable 3D-printed carbon fiber composite tool using a Thermwood LSAM machine.
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