Past, Present and Future Column
Composites 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.
A Sector Under Pressure: Aerostructures, Insourcing and the Future of Composites
For two decades, the aerostructures industry has lagged behind the rest of aerospace on margins. Rising insourcing, vanishing Super Tier 1s and post-pandemic strain are reshaping the supply chain — with major consequences for composites.
Read MoreHow in-process NDT could reshape quality assessment in composites manufacturing
Component complexity, quality expectations, the presence of digital data and other macro-economic implications are pushing in-process NDT technologies toward inevitable necessity.
Read MoreLaser cleaning in composites manufacturing
Laser cleaning technologies for cleaning production molds for composites offer alternatives to harsher, less-friendly methods with features like automation and higher power cleaning.
Read MoreThe potential of rCF in fiber-reinforced concrete
A look at how emerging technologies for FRP concrete provide alternatives to traditionally used steel and glass fibers that are more cost-effective and address the sustainability challenge.
Read MoreThe evolution, transformation of DEA from lab measurements to industrial optimization
Over the years, dielectric analysis (DEA) has evolved from a lab measurement technique to a technology that improves efficiency and quality in composites production on the shop floor.
Read MoreThe next-generation single-aisle: Implications for the composites industry
While the world continues to wait for new single-aisle program announcements from Airbus and Boeing, it’s clear composites will play a role in their fabrication. But in what ways, and what capacity?
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Opportunities and challenges for composites in electric vehicles
Polymer and material specialists at chemical consulting firm ChemBizR reflect on the role of composites in current and future efforts to make electric vehicles more efficient — and more attractive for consumers.
How AI is improving composites operations and factory sustainability
Workforce pain points and various logistical challenges are putting operations resilience and flexibility to the test, but Industry 4.0 advancements could be the key to composites manufacturers’ transformation.
Read MoreReducing accidental separator inclusion in prepreg layup
ST Engineering MRAS discusses the importance of addressing human factors to reduce separator inclusion in bonded structures.
Read MoreAugmenting engineered thermoplastics with natural fibers
The Paris Climate Accord mandate for net-zero carbon by 2050 has kick-started an innovation revolution for natural fibers and sustainably engineered resins.
Read MoreRegional air mobility: A meaningful first step in the electric aviation revolution
Electrification of fixed-wing, <50-seat regional aircraft might stimulate a new era of growth that could help pave the way for advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.
Read MoreThe compelling argument for expanded use of carbon fiber composites
Contributing columnists from Aramco explain that decreasing carbon fiber prices and continued innovations may allow carbon fiber composites to expand into new markets, including increased use in oil and gas applications.
Read MoreDefining the landscape for wind blades at the end of service life
There is a generation of wind turbine blades at or near the end of their useful life. Disposing of them, recycling them or reusing them requires a better understanding of the blade end-of-life landscape.
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From sailplanes to composites repair: Growing composite training opportunities over the years
Mike Hoke discovered his interest in the composites industry at a young age. His journey eventually led him to Abaris Training Resources, which he owned and evolved for more than 30 years.
Best practices in the CNC machining of composites
Machining composite materials is a challenging task. Proper tool selection, machine settings and process innovations help make it manageable.
Read MoreValuable data: From travelers to the as-built digital twin
Taking advantage of the electronic record proves to be of significant value to composite fabricator’s record-keeping process.
Read MorePart 2: Performance and safety benefits of prepregs
Returning with his second installment, Brian Bishop discusses the performance and safety benefits to using prepreg, and the value they can bring to composites fabricators.
Read MoreRediscovering the benefits of prepregs in composites manufacturing
Compared to more traditional forms of composites manufacturing, prepregs enable reduced manufacturing costs and enhance production performance.
Read MoreBoron fiber: The original high-performance fiber
History and future developments for high-performance boron fiber.
Read MoreFiberglass composites improve infrastructure efficiency and sustainability
Gert de Roover, building, construction and infrastructure manager at Exel Composites, explains why composite materials contribute to the drive for greener buildings.
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Setting unrealistic expectations in composites manufacturing
In the aerospace composites industry, quality comes at a cost, but built-in incentives throughout the supply chain don’t always favor the best and the brightest.
Developing new solutions for noise, vibration and harshness
Several recent IACMI partner projects focus on technology innovation related to challenges in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in vehicle design.
Read MoreDeveloping new solutions to multimaterial joining
Several recent IACMI partner projects focus on technology innovation related to challenges in multimaterial joining for the wind and automotive sectors.
Read MoreEnabling a circular economy approach to advanced composites innovation, manufacturing and use, Part 2
IACMI chief technology officer Uday Vaidya reflects on IACMI’s role in improving composites’ recyclability and reusability.
Read MoreEnabling a circular economy approach to advanced composites innovation, manufacturing and use, Part 1
In part 1 of a two-month column, IACMI chief technology officer Uday Vaidya reflects on the organization’s efforts to reduce the embodied energy of composites.
Read MoreIACMI: Driving innovation in the advanced composites industry
Since its start in 2015, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) has come a long way in its mission of advancing composites innovation. CTO Uday Vaidya reflects on the past five years.
Read MoreThe Rubik’s Cube of working efficiently with different composite materials
Each member of an aerospace OEM’s supply chain works on a different side of the project, ultimately driving toward the same goal: a better composite-intensive aircraft.
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