AeroVironment to acquire Acturus UAV, maker of CFRP-intensive T-20
Transaction drives growth, broadens capabilities and customer footprint, and positions both companies for next-gen programs.
Grace Nehls
Assistant Editor, CompositesWorld
Boeing announces Q4 2020 deliveries
With steps taken to adapt to its new market in 2020, Boeing is entering 2021 with an emphasis on enhancing safety culture, preserving liquidity and transforming its future business.
#boeing
Airbus awards A400M supply contract to Teledyne CML Composites
The contract includes thermoplastic composite wing components, in line with Teledyne CML Composites’ recent investments in thermoplastics processing.
#a400m #airbus
Agility Prime completes Joby eVTOL airworthiness evaluation report
The U.S. Air Force’s initiative to accelerate the vertical aircraft market lays the groundwork for the use of Joby’s eVTOL equipment for military missions.
#electricvehicles #nextgenaerospace
Elroy Air, U.S. Air Force expand partnership, advance VTOL aircraft platform
Phase 3 SBIR award will fund the unmanned cargo aircraft’s technical demonstrations, performance validations and result in potential acquisition into the U.S. Air Force.
Bridging the gap between CFRP and CMC
Novel composites offer performance up to 1000°C with faster processing.
#ceramicmatrixcomposites #feature
Videos / Podcasts
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.
#trends
Novel prepreg for compression molding in RAPM
Solvay and Boeing combine aerospace performance with process knowledge for high-rate, low-cost composites production.
#autoclave #automation #boeing
CSIRO: Developing higher-quality, higher-strength, lower-cost carbon fibers
SIROPAN precursor aims for >20% increase in carbon fiber properties with increased control via RAFT polymerization, FLOW processing and novel metrology.
#trends #sustainability #boeing
Composites Index contracts on weak backlogs
For February 2020, the Composites Index contracted slightly with a reading of 49.7.
#economics
Solvay launches epoxy prepreg for aerostructures compression molding
Solvay Composite Materials has launched CYCOM EP2750, a new highly drapable epoxy prepreg designed specifically for the compression molding of high-quality, high-rate, cost-effective primary and secondary aerostructures.
#boeing #layup #outofautoclave
Episode 31: John Riendeau, Rhode Island Commerce
Rhode Island Commerce director of business development John Riendeau discusses how the state’s legacy experience in boat building has translated into expertise in new markets within the composites industry.
#aramidfiber #workforcedevelopment #windblades
Plug-and-produce AFP system installed in one day and debuts at composites automation center
Addcomposites completes installations of its AFP-XS toolhead at KUKA Finland and SAM|XL in Netherlands.
#layup #windblades #airbus
Data security in composites manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Defense is imposing new, strict rules on companies that supply composite parts and structures in a defense contract supply chain. Understanding and following those rules will not be trivial.
#workinprogress
AeroVironment to acquire Acturus UAV, maker of CFRP-intensive T-20
Transaction drives growth, broadens capabilities and customer footprint, and positions both companies for next-gen programs.
#uas
Boeing announces Q4 2020 deliveries
With steps taken to adapt to its new market in 2020, Boeing is entering 2021 with an emphasis on enhancing safety culture, preserving liquidity and transforming its future business.
#boeing
Airbus awards A400M supply contract to Teledyne CML Composites
The contract includes thermoplastic composite wing components, in line with Teledyne CML Composites’ recent investments in thermoplastics processing.
#a400m #airbus
Agility Prime completes Joby eVTOL airworthiness evaluation report
The U.S. Air Force’s initiative to accelerate the vertical aircraft market lays the groundwork for the use of Joby’s eVTOL equipment for military missions.
#electricvehicles #nextgenaerospace
Elroy Air, U.S. Air Force expand partnership, advance VTOL aircraft platform
Phase 3 SBIR award will fund the unmanned cargo aircraft’s technical demonstrations, performance validations and result in potential acquisition into the U.S. Air Force.
Lockheed Martin acquires Aerojet Rocketdyne
The transaction is expected to enhance Lockheed Martin's support of critical U.S. and allied security missions, and add substantial expertise in propulsion to the company’s portfolio.
#lockheedmartin
Recycled thermoplastic composite rotorcraft access panel takes flight
Designed as part of the TPC-Cycle program, the flight-tested panel demonstrates a lighter, cost-effective, sustainable thermoplastic composite application.
#application #sustainability #autoclave
NEW PRODUCTS: DEFENSE
Dynamic Modifiers introduces low-smoke, flame-retardant thermoplastic compound
Made for a wide range of markets, PAL...VersaCHAR addresses concerns surrounding traditional flame-retardant materials without sacrificing performance.
Hexcel launches electrically conductive PEKK-based carbon fiber material
HexPEKK EM is a high-performance material for additive manufacturing that meets electromagnetic shielding, radiation absorption requirements.
#pekk
DSM introduces new UHMWPE fiber
Compared to DSM’s original Dyneema thermoplastic fiber products, Trosar addresses a wider range of high-performance applications.
#sustainability
Solvay launches epoxy prepreg for aerostructures compression molding
Solvay Composite Materials has launched CYCOM EP2750, a new highly drapable epoxy prepreg designed specifically for the compression molding of high-quality, high-rate, cost-effective primary and secondary aerostructures.
#boeing #layup #outofautoclave
Wisconsin Oven upgrades curing control system
Wisconsin Oven (East Troy, Wis., U.S.) has announced release of the latest version of its established Wisconsin Premium Control System (WPCS) for data acquisition and control of the oven-based composites curing process.
Technical Fibre Products microfiber support veils
Technical Fibre Products has launched its range of next-generation surfacing and adhesive support veils, for superior flexibility and surface smoothness.
#adhesives
