Physical testing to characterize composites
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments reviews use of static tests, impact tests, internal observations and fracture observations to assess and characterize the physical properties of composite parts and structures.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
CAMX 2020 preview: Abaris Training Resources
Louis C. Dorworth, direct services manager of Abaris, is moderating a CAMX 2020 panel and presenting a tutorial on bonding and joining of composites.
High-rate, automated aerospace RTM line delivers next-gen spoilers
At Spirit AeroSystem’s Prestwick facility in Scotland, a glimpse of the future of aerocomposites manufacturing in a resin transfer molding line for A320 spoilers.
ZAero project update
The 2019 final review demonstrated integration of an automated CFRP process chain: AFP inline inspection and rework, cure and resin flow sensors, part performance prediction and a decision support tool for line operators.
Digital thread vs. digital twin
Visualizing the difference between digital representations and data flows and understanding the applications that are changing composites manufacturing and business models.
No business case for reteaching robots
DLR Center for Lightweight Production Technology has developed an AI-equipped work cell where collaborative robots can switch from producing composite rear pressure bulkheads to fuselage panels without requiring reprogramming or retraining.
Using nondestructive testing to inspect, repair carbon fiber bicycles
An Oregon-based bicycle inspection and repair shop uses an Olympus ultrasonic thickness gage to evaluate and fix structural damage.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Revolutionizing the composites cost paradigm, Part 2: Forming
Boeing-led parts trials explore infusion, compression molding and thermoplastics, offering lessons and supply chain options to better compete with aluminum.
Manufacturing the complex geometry parts of RAPM
Boeing-led program explores simulation, tooling, preforming and molding approaches to lower composites part cost.
Novel prepreg for compression molding in RAPM
Solvay and Boeing combine aerospace performance with process knowledge for high-rate, low-cost composites production.
Welded thermoplastic composite keel beam demonstrator achieved
EURECAT and partner companies complete Clean Sky 2 KEELBEMAN project, demonstrating TRL3 primary structure technology for future aircraft.
CETMA: composites R&D and innovation in Italy
From design and simulation to inline inspection, induction welding, continuous compression molding and recycled carbon fiber, this lab to support industry is advancing composites in aerospace, automotive, construction and more.
Kanfit coping with COVID-19 and managing growth using Composites 4.0 systems
Bluetooth sensors and AI track parts and tools, save time and suggest production line improvements.
Update: Lower wing skin, Wing of Tomorrow
Airbus is evaluating several advanced composites technologies as part of its Wing of Tomorrow program. Among these is liquid resin infusion of the lower wing skin, being developed by Spirit AeroSystems.
Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld
National Composites Centre unveils digital composites technologies
The U.K.’s National Composites Centre unveils new composites manufacturing technologies, marking the culmination of a two-year, £36.7m digitization project.
Proving out LM PAEK welding for Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator
Clean Sky 2 STUNNING project will manufacture lower thermoplastic fuselage while MECATESTERS will test Toray LM PAEK in conduction and induction welding for parameters, cyclic loading, aging and environmental effects .
Plant Tour: RUAG Space, Decatur, Alabama, U.S.
Out-of-autoclave composites manufacturing facility comes of age with first U.S.-made composite structures for the Atlas V launcher, and qualification parts for the Vulcan.
Advancing thermoplastic composites and RTM for Clean Sky 2 in Spain
EURECAT leads projects for TPC keel beam, window frames and thermoset RTM fuselage frames with TPC shear ties for next-gen aircraft.
The markets: Aerospace (2020)
Despite the 737 MAX groundings, several new programs on the horizon portend increasing use of composites in commercial aerostructures for several decades.
Removing barriers to lightweighting ships with composites
EU consortia propel large demonstrators, new technology and affordable certification.
Composites 4.0: Digital transformation, adaptive production, new paradigms
An evolving landscape of automation, sensors and AI software is not an end, but a means to achieve the cost, quality, efficiency and agility required for future manufacturing.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
Composites 2020: A Multitude of Markets
The manufacturing world likes to think of composites fabrication as a single, global entity that operates to serve its customers’ needs with a variety of highly engineered parts and structures.
Kaman extends MRO services to aftermarket, continues partnership with Winglet Technology
Kaman Composites Wichita has extended its composite repair capabilities to aftermarket, and it will continue manufacture of winglet systems for Winglet Technology LLC.
Modular, mobile, multiple robotics poised to change the AFP/ATL paradigm
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is working on two multi-robot automated fiber and tape placement technologies that could change the paradigm in large-part aerocomposites manufacturing.
Composites industry events to highlight thermoplastics, defense, space
A roundup of news about events in the composites industry, including the TPRC’s thermoplastics conference and events from Composites UK, ACMA and more.
Automated joining of hybrid metal-thermoplastic composite structures
The FlexHyJoin production cell combines surface structuring, induction and laser joining and NDT for automotive mass production.
Accelerating thermoplastic composites in aerospace
ATC Manufacturing produces millions of thermoplastic composite parts per year, and is investing for future growth.