DLR launches EmpowerAX to industrialize continuous fiber 3D printing
Global, industry-diversified platform will increase access to additive extrusion (AX) technologies and accelerate technology transfer for users and providers.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
Solvay, Vertical Aerospace expand on UAM agreement
Composite materials supplier Solvay Composite Materials and urban air mobility (UAM) manufacturer Vertical Aerospace offer details about materials, process use in VA-1X aircraft.
Iberdrola plans first industrial-scale floating offshore wind farm in Spain
The 2,000-MW project is part of the 150 initiatives presented for Spanish industrial and employment transformation. Could generate 2,800+ jobs/year, involve 52 Spanish SMEs, with €1 billion investment.
Lilium selects Aciturri for eVTOL fabrication
Spain-based Tier 1 aerospace manufacturer Aciturri will fabricate all composite and metallic structures for the piloted, four-passenger eVTOL Lilium Jet.
GE to research AM for wind turbine blades
Twenty-five-month project to couple low-cost thermoplastic skin with AM for high-performance wind blade designs to be used on large rotors.
Episode 36: Dale Brosius and Uday Vaidya, IACMI
IACMI’s Dale Brosius and Uday Vaidya talk about the first five years of the organization, how it has evolved and what the future might hold as IACMI continues its quest to help drive composite materials and process growth.
Recycling end-of-life composite parts: New methods, markets
From infrastructure solutions to consumer products, Polish recycler Anmet and Netherlands-based researchers are developing new methods for repurposing wind turbine blades and other composite parts.
The path to OOA wings with minimal fasteners
A review of the quest to eliminate both the autoclave and mechanical fasteners in composite wing structures.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
Boeing conducts inspections of 787 composite inner fuselage skin
Boeing reports that it is checking the flatness of inner fuselage skins on all undelivered 787s to verify structural integrity.
Pratt & Whitney to produce advanced metal and CMC turbine airfoils in North Carolina
New 1 million-square-foot production facility follows CMC R&D center and publicized strategy for next-gen engines.
Maine, U.K. sign agreement to advance offshore wind cooperation
The commitment outlines strengthening offshore wind and green hydrogen supply chains via clean, innovative technologies to meet ambitious carbon neutrality goals and promote and foster sustainable growth.
CSP Advanced Materials Center unveils composite battery enclosure and material innovations
Transition into broader R&D capabilities include honeycomb manufacturing process for ultra-lightweight Class A panels and a full-sized, multi-material battery enclosure featuring a one-piece composite cover.
3D-printed prefab homes aim to disrupt construction market
California startup Mighty Buildings’ award-winning prefabricated building production process relies on large-format 3D printing, UV-curable resins, digital design and automation.
GE launches Cypress 6.0-164 onshore wind turbine
GE’s most powerful onshore wind turbine available, features two-piece carbon fiber blade for flexible logistic solutions, increases annual energy production by 11%.
Glass fiber supply chain struggles amid pandemic, economic recovery
Transportation issues, rising demands and other factors have led to higher costs or delays for gun rovings and more. Suppliers and Gardner Intelligence share their perspectives.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Toray, Joby Aviation finalize long-term carbon fiber supply agreement
Toray carbon fiber materials will be used throughout the eVTOL aircraft structure, propulsion systems and interior components, with hopes to bring it to commercial operation as early as 2023.
Episode 35: Lisa Ketelsen, Covestro
CW Talks visits with Lisa Ketelsen, head of thermoplastic composites and CEO of Maezio at Covestro. Ketelsen talks about her path to Covestro and the Maezio product line, Maezio’s attributes and applications, and how she sees thermoplastic composites evolving in the marketplace.
NCC, Ford partner to lightweight Ford Transit van
The award-winning CHASSIS project aims to lightweight three van components, a step toward reduced emissions and affordable mainstream autocomposites.
South Korean carbon fiber recycling start-up scales up
With plans for growth, CATACK-H claims its solvolysis-based recycling process can reclaim high-quality fibers and resins from materials and finished parts.
Q&A with Ethan Escowitz, CEO, Arris Composites
Ethan Escowitz visits with CW Talks to discuss Arris Composites’ Additive Molding process.
Braided preforms meet phase-change tooling
A program from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory adopts automated braiding and phase-change tooling for a complex geometry unmanned aircraft part.
Commercializing UV-curable thermosets for continuous fiber 3D printing
Strategic partners Continuous Composites and Arkema/Sartomer are developing a library of photocurable resins for use in a variety of OOA, high-speed, high-performance composite applications.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Victrex, Daher, attain next-gen thermoplastic aircraft panel milestone
The developed panel is a 176-ply laminate, 32-millimeter-thick composite structure and uses Victrex AE 250 PAEK-based thermoplastic composites.
Boom rolls out supersonic test aircraft XB-1
Highlighting a 71-foot-long fuselage, carbon fiber composite airframe and a host of other notable features, the demonstrator will now be headed for its ground test program and a 100% carbon-neutral flight test in 2021.
TU Munich gears up for full-scale Hyperloop demonstrator
As a new, university-directed research program, the Technical University of Munich Hyperloop team works to scale up its SpaceX competition-winning pod design.
GE Aviation GE9X engine achieves FAA certification
Ten GE9X engines have been delivered to power Boeing’s four 777X flight test airplanes after completing just under 5,000 hours and 8,000 cycles for certification.
Continental Structural Plastics develops composite EV battery enclosures
CSP’ lightweight composite and multi-material battery covers meet stringent static, dynamic and regulatory requirements for automakers.
Plastic Omnium supplies composite hydrogen storage tanks for MissionH24 cars
Plastic Omnium’s Type IV overwrapped carbon fiber tanks will be subjected to highly demanding operating conditions in terms of speed, refueling frequency and temperature.