A350
Real-time automated ply inspection (RTAPI) system: CW’s series on automated inspection methods
More composites being used in aircraft, and the pressure for higher production rates means new technologies for automated, in-process inspection while the part is being fabricated. Groups around the world are working on this, and making great strides.
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Plant tour: Diamond Aircraft Austria, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Composites use among general aviation manufacturers is far from unusual, but none apply them quite like this airframer does.
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Airbus A330neo completes maiden flight
Development on track for A330-900 entry into service in the middle of 2018.
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Charles Browning wins SAMPE Lubin Award
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE, Diambond Bar, CA) has named Dr.
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Carbures beats 2016 aerospace production record
Spanish Tier 2 composites producer Carbures (El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain) announced recently that it has reached an historical record for production of composite aircraft parts, with 45,695 parts produced at its plants in Illescas and Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.
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Preforming goes industrial: Part 2
Automated preforming isn’t only for 2D and 2.5D parts. Innovators are taking successful aim at building 3D preforms at production speeds.
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Variable-axial composites open path to lighter composite structures
CFRP recurve bow riser demonstrates design and manufacturing approach with potential to cut weight vs. aluminum by 50-75% while increasing strength and stiffness.
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Fiber-metal laminates in the spotlight
Interest in FMLs is growing again as aeroengineers search for lightweight solutions adaptable to new narrowbody commercial aircraft.
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Harbin Hafei Airbus partners with Plataine and Argosy for improved traceability, efficiency and yield
Joint venture composites manufacturing center implements Plataine solution for tracking parts, materials and tools.
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Automated Preforming, Part 2: Glide Forming
Flat layups are shaped into stringers with different cross-sections, lengths, thicknesses and curvatures using a single machine at rates up to 10 mm per second.
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