NextGen Aerospace
Daher CARAC TP project advances thermoplastic composites certification approach
New tests, analysis enable databases, models, design guidelines and methodologies, combining materials science with production processes to predict and optimize part performance at temperatures above Tg (≈150-180°C) for wing and engine structures.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
PEEK vs. PEKK vs. PAEK and continuous compression molding
Suppliers of thermoplastics and carbon fiber chime in regarding PEEK vs. PEKK, and now PAEK, as well as in-situ consolidation — the supply chain for thermoplastic tape composites continues to evolve.
Read MorePlant tour: Albany Engineered Composites, Rochester, N.H., U.S.
Efficient, high-quality, well-controlled composites manufacturing at volume is the mantra for this 3D weaving specialist.
Read MoreNASA picks Boeing’s Transonic Truss-Based Wing for Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project
With the help of NASA, Boeing will build, test and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft starting in 2028, gearing toward a greener, more fuel-efficient future aircraft.
Read MoreComposites end markets: Aerospace (2023)
With COVID in the past and passengers flying again, commercial aircraft production is ramping up. The aerocomposites supply chain is busy developing new M&P for an approaching next-generation aircraft program.
Read MoreEU-funded GENEX project to develop digital twin framework for aircraft lifecycle tracking
Novel digital framework to enable holistic and comprehensive data capture through the entire aircraft lifecycle, supporting composite component/structure manufacture optimization and maintenance.
Read MoreThe state of recycled carbon fiber
As the need for carbon fiber rises, can recycling fill the gap?
Read MoreJetZero unveils plan for BWB midmarket airliner, tanker
Blended wing body aircraft design targets need for new midmarket airplane (NMA) and defense tanker-transport program.
Scott Francis
Contributing Editor, Gardner Business Media
One-piece, one-shot, 17-meter wing spar for high-rate aircraft manufacture
GKN Aerospace has spent the last five years developing materials strategies and resin transfer molding (RTM) for an aircraft trailing edge wing spar for the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow program.
Read MoreCarbon fiber in pressure vessels for hydrogen
The emerging H2 economy drives tank development for aircraft, ships and gas transport.
Read MoreVirgin Galactic selects Boeing subsidiary, Aurora, to build new motherships
Agreement with Aurora Flight Sciences to deliver two composite mothership vehicles, each designed to fly up to 200 launches per year, expected to enter service in 2025.
Read MoreGerman UniFix project develops mobile holding fixture to enhance production efficiency of large CFRP structures
Fraunhofer IFAM and Airbus Operations in Stade demonstrate reduced manual handling and non-productive time in flow-oriented manufacturing of vertical tail plane.
Read MoreMulti-flange RTM frames enable radical rear fuselage design
The Clean Sky 2 Advanced Rear End (ARE) demonstrator combines patented new frame design, thermoset and thermoplastic composites and smart tooling to advance aircraft design and cut weight, cost and production time.
Read MoreDLR Augsburg integrates sixth frame to upper half fuselage test shell for MFFD
Clean Sky 2 thermoplastic composite demonstrator advances toward full assembly.
Read MoreASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites
GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
DLR Institute of Structures and Design releases video on TB-Rumpf welded thermoplastic composites
Autoclave-free consolidation and resistance welding validated for future aircraft thermoplastic composite fuselage.
Read MoreBoeing all-composite cryogenic fuel tank proves technology readiness
Ultra-lightweight tank passes critical test campaigned by NASA, intended for a variety of aerospace applications and beyond.
Read MoreSaab Aerostructures announces composite cargo door iteration, flaperon developments
Saab Aerostructures has reported updates to two of its composites-related projects, an RTM’d flaperon and the next iteration of the Clean Sky 2 technology demonstrator cargo doors.
Read MoreAerospace Technology Institute unveils concept for liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft
FlyZero project posits 279-pax midsize jetliner; will publish technology roadmaps for wings, H2 tanks and cryo fuel systems in early 2022.
Read MoreEU launches Clean Aviation partnership, targeting 75% of civil fleet replaced for zero emissions by 2050
Clean Aviation carries forward from Clean Sky to develop disruptive new technologies, flight demonstrated by 2029 for aircraft into service by 2035 and aviation climate neutrality by 2050.
Read MoreEmbraer unveils four Energia concept aircraft for net-zero aviation by 2050
Aircraft being developed span 9 to 50 seats and electric, hydrogen fuel cell, dual-fuel gas turbine and hybrid-electric propulsion.
Read MoreComposites opportunities in eVTOLs
As eVTOL OEMs seek to advance program certification, production scale-up and lightweighting, AAM’s penetration into the composites market is moving on an upward trajectory.
Designing for automated composites manufacturing of low-volume aerostructures
The commercial aerospace industry is heavily focused on design for efficient high-rate manufacturing, but there is still need for automated, affordable fabrication of low-rate aerostructures.
Read MoreSAM|XL develops closed-loop manufacturing for composites
Collaborative R&D center at TU Delft develops sensor- and robot-based automation for Composites 4.0 manufacturing, including STUNNING project for welded assembly of a thermoplastic composite fuselage demonstrator.
Read MoreAirbus X-Wing will test flapping wing tips, multifunctional trailing edges for future aircraft
Demonstrator will test 30%-scale version of 52-meter composite wing with electrically-powered actuating hinged wing tip for improved efficiency and decarbonization in flight.
Read MoreAirbus begins assembly of first Wing of Tomorrow prototype
The program brings together more than 100 new technologies and composites innovations, including delivery of the first fixed trailing edge by GKN Aerospace.
Read MoreSpirit AeroSystems Europe delivers first set of A320 Family RTM spoilers
Redesigned spoilers developed via a highly automated advanced manufacturing, out-of-autoclave (OOA) process pioneered by Spirit.
Read MoreComposite-metal joining, braided preforms enable next-generation aircraft design
Collins Aerospace invests in new joining, preforming and infusion techniques to target aircraft design needs for reduced weight and lower-cost manufacture.
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