Thinking machines
Algorithm-based artificial intelligence, once only imagined, is here. It can do a lot of good.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Cultivating the Next Generation of Finishing Industry Leaders
As a generation of experienced coaters and finishers look toward retirement, new leaders are beginning to emerge. Training, education, support and encouragement for new talent is crucial for the future of manufacturing.
What Makes a Top Shop?
Productivity, efficiency and on-time deliveries are all hallmarks of a great finishing shop, but at the heart of it all is a commitment to employees and customers.
Business As Usual? Coronavirus and Manufacturing Industry Recovery
As we recover from the coronavirus epidemic, how many companies will use lessons learned during this time to reevaluate the way they do business?
Living in Interesting Times
How is the COVID-19 outbreak affecting your business? Stepping into the role of editor of Products Finishing in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak has been odd, to say the least. Here’s my story — tell us yours.
A Decade of Awakenings
It was 10 years ago that the finishing industry welcomed my uneducated self.
I have seen the future and it is coming
The last 20 years were good to composites. What does the next 20 years have in store?
When — not if — to pivot
In the business and manufacturing world that CW operates in, we have heard one particular coronavirus vocabulary word very frequently: pivot.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Giving the Gift of Legacy
Brad Andreae, the late Dr. George Dubpernell, Jim Jones, the late Daniel Leonhardt, and Clifford Roy are 2020 Finishing Hall of Fame inductees.
To boldly go . . .
Space travel is a challenge, even if filmmakers like to make us think otherwise.
The Conflict of Resolutions
We asked several finishers what their resolutions were for 2020, and did we ever get a variety of wishes and goals.
The R&D we don't see
Shedding light on unrecognized composites manufacturing innovation.
Calling Balls and Strikes
Fairness in reporting is much needed in today’s world.
How much is that composite wing in the window?
With Spirit AeroSystems buying Bombardier’s Belfast operations, the future of composites fabrication for large commercial aerostructures starts to come into focus.
What will the composites industry's post-pandemic future look like?
We already have the tools needed to help us craft our future, even if we do not know yet how and where those tools might be deployed.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
Minding Your Own Business
The Products Finishing Top Shops Executive Summit in October 2020 will give you that opportunity.
CW Top Shops: Meaningful data for composites fabricators
The amount of data produced by manufacturing facilities is increasing exponentially. CW Top Shops' inaugural benchmarking survey helps contextualize some of that data.
What will the aerocomposites industry look like after the 787 and A350?
CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan considers the future of the aerospace composites industry as production of the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 appear ready to wind down in the next few years.
Looking ahead to CAMX 2019
Editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan looks ahead to CAMX 2019, the largest composites trade event in the largest composites market.
It’s All for Guys like George
George Giering III has been a loyal Products Finishing reader for 50+ years. Turns out there are a lot of people like him.
The Paper Chase
Answer the ‘Call for Papers’ and become one of the chosen few to speak at industry events, and make your presentation last a lifetime through a written white paper.
The black swan events hitting the composites industry
From the Boeing 787 to COVID-19: When the out-of-the-ordinary becomes ordinary — and affects the manufacturing supply chain.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
National Composites Week is born
National Composites Week will be held Aug. 26-30, celebrating the ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contribute to today’s manufacturing landscape.
Bigger, better, faster, more
Editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan considers the implications of propitious aircraft OEM announcements for the aerocomposites supply chain.
A flight plan for next-gen manufacturing
If the commercial aviation industry effectively doubles in the next 20 years, as projected by the two largest aerospace manufacturing companies in the world, how can aerospace manufacturers and suppliers possibly keep up?
A hand for the next generation
CW Editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan advocates educating the next generation on all levels of future career opportunities — especially in composites.
A Flight Plan for Next-Gen Manufacturing
Learn more about the materials and processes that will shape next-generation aircraft in a collection of stories from Modern Machine Shop, Additive Manufacturing and CompositesWorld, available to read or download for free.
Next-generation aerospace: shaping the supply chain landscape
The global commercial aerospace industry is at a unique time.