Bell starts operations at new Manufacturing Technology Center
Composites and metals manufacturing, automation, additive manufacturing and metrology will be undergirded by digital connectivity and digital twin to support affordable production of future vertical lift aircraft.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
Kaman Composites Wichita announces contract with Boeing
Kaman Composites to manufacture the refueling boom assembly for the MH-47 program and expand facility to accommodate production scale.
#boeing
AeroVironment secures $5.9 million Puma 3 AE UAS contract award
Composite-intensive tactical UAV, offering surveillance and reconnaissance in maritime and land operations, to be delivered to European allied nation.
#uas
Arcturus UAV awarded $7 million task order for MEUAS program
Composite vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) JUMP 20 unmanned aircraft system is said to deliver true versatility and multi-mission capabilities to U.S. Special Operations Command and other customers.
#uas
Boeing Loyal Wingman uncrewed aircraft completes first flight
Successful test progresses Royal Australian Air Force’s teaming aircraft program. The Loyal Wingman has been manufactured from design to flight in three years.
#boeing
Additive Molding technology revolutionizes autonomous drone design
Arris’ Additive Molding process uses consolidated glass/carbon fiber airframe to optimize performance and reduce costs to produce Skydio X2 drone for industrial, consumer and defense use.
#uas #electronics #application
Videos / Podcasts
Bell starts operations at new Manufacturing Technology Center
Composites and metals manufacturing, automation, additive manufacturing and metrology will be undergirded by digital connectivity and digital twin to support affordable production of future vertical lift aircraft.
#automation #composites4_0
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.
#airbus #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
Bridging the gap between CFRP and CMC
Novel composites offer performance up to 1000°C with faster processing.
#ceramicmatrixcomposites #feature
Bell starts operations at new Manufacturing Technology Center
Composites and metals manufacturing, automation, additive manufacturing and metrology will be undergirded by digital connectivity and digital twin to support affordable production of future vertical lift aircraft.
#automation #composites4_0
Kaman Composites Wichita announces contract with Boeing
Kaman Composites to manufacture the refueling boom assembly for the MH-47 program and expand facility to accommodate production scale.
#boeing
AeroVironment secures $5.9 million Puma 3 AE UAS contract award
Composite-intensive tactical UAV, offering surveillance and reconnaissance in maritime and land operations, to be delivered to European allied nation.
#uas
Arcturus UAV awarded $7 million task order for MEUAS program
Composite vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) JUMP 20 unmanned aircraft system is said to deliver true versatility and multi-mission capabilities to U.S. Special Operations Command and other customers.
#uas
Boeing Loyal Wingman uncrewed aircraft completes first flight
Successful test progresses Royal Australian Air Force’s teaming aircraft program. The Loyal Wingman has been manufactured from design to flight in three years.
#boeing
NSMSS and CRASTE 2021 event explores advanced materials and technologies for commercial space
The National Space & Missile Materials Symposium (NSMMS) and Commercial and Government Responsive Access to Space Technology Exchange (CRASTE) are two space-focused forums occurring June 21-24, 2021.
#space
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
NEW PRODUCTS: DEFENSE
Stratasys carbon fiber material for 3D printer line is more functional, lightweight and versatile
ABS-based carbon fiber material for the Stratasys F123 Series 3D printer line is 15% stronger and 50% stiffer compared to standard ABS.
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.
#airbus #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.
