Trelleborg launches high-temperature tooling material for direct-to-part manufacture
The tooling material has operating temperature of up to +180ºC, low CTE, offers an alternative to aluminum, prepreg and steel for high-volume part production.
Teijin Aramid program produces bio-based, high-performance aramid fibers
The 2018 pilot program, in partnership with BioBTW, successfully produces Twaron yarn from bio-based aromatic materials without altering the material properties.
#aramidfiber #biomaterials #sustainability
SGL Carbon, Koller Kunststofftechnik manufacture composite windshield
Injection molded carbon fiber profiles for future BMW Group models cut 40% of weight compared to conventional steel construction and offer potential use in other automotive projects.
#bmw
Next-generation composites qualification
Fully digital qualification hasn’t yet arrived, but simulation and analysis software continue to evolve and work together with physical testing practices.
#nextgenaerospace #feature
Videos / Podcasts
Symmetrix Composites, American Magic partner for America's Cup
Prepping the U.S. challenger for the 36th America’s Cup, Symmetrix applied its large format 5-axis CNC machine to produce the patterns and molds within sub-millimeter accuracy.
Altair named official supplier for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team
With the 36th America’s Cup yacht race approaching, Altair’s design platform has enabled a systematic and detailed approach to composite optimization for the racing team’s boat.
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
Natural fiber crash box design for motorsport
The natural fiber Front Impact Absorbing Structure (FIAS) prototype showed desired crash behavior and eradication of sharp splintering, proving it as an alternative to carbon fiber in motorsport applications.
#sustainability
AeroVironment completes successful Sunglider HAPS stratospheric test flight
During the 20-hour test flight, the solar-powered high-altitude pseudo-sattelite (HAPS) surpassed 60,000 feet in altitude and demonstrated broadband mobile connectivity.
#uas
Kinetic NRG, ACS-A design composite hydro-electric turbine blade
The 1.5-meter composite blade will enable Kinetic NRG’s hydro-electric generator to generate power in Australian channels and streams at flow rates of two meters per second.
#sustainability
Contact-less microsensor targets real-time NDT for composite structures
RVmagnetics’ MicroWire self-monitors composite structures via embedding during the production process. It improves safety, control and real-time data for predictive maintenance.
Using nondestructive testing to inspect, repair carbon fiber bicycles
An Oregon-based bicycle inspection and repair shop uses an Olympus ultrasonic thickness gage to evaluate and fix structural damage.
#ndi #application
Trelleborg launches high-temperature tooling material for direct-to-part manufacture
The tooling material has operating temperature of up to +180ºC, low CTE, offers an alternative to aluminum, prepreg and steel for high-volume part production.
Teijin Aramid program produces bio-based, high-performance aramid fibers
The 2018 pilot program, in partnership with BioBTW, successfully produces Twaron yarn from bio-based aromatic materials without altering the material properties.
#aramidfiber #biomaterials #sustainability
SGL Carbon, Koller Kunststofftechnik manufacture composite windshield
Injection molded carbon fiber profiles for future BMW Group models cut 40% of weight compared to conventional steel construction and offer potential use in other automotive projects.
#bmw
Next-generation composites materials and processes explored
A supplement with the November 2020 issue of CompositesWorld takes a close look at some of the technologies that are driving innovation in the composites industry.
Dassault Systèmes, Purdue establish center of excellence
The 3DEXPERIENCE Education Center of Excellence in Advanced Composites at Purdue University aims to educate the next-generation workforce and accelerate Industry 4.0.
#workforcedevelopment
Boeing, Etihad sustainability alliance test ecoDemonstrator 787
The ecoDemonstrator program uses commercial aircraft to test technologies that can make aviation safer and more sustainable now and into the future. Use of a 787-10 Dreamliner will evaluate ways to reduce emissions and noise while flying on sustainable fuel.
#787 #sustainability #boeing
National Composites Week: Thermoplastics, recycling, tooling
As we celebrate National Composites Week, we’ve collected some of our top content on recent developments in thermoplastic composites, recycling and tooling.
#sustainability
NEW PRODUCTS: DESIGN & TOOLING
AIMS Metrology introduces coordinate measurement machine for large parts inspection
Suited for composites applications in a range of industries, the Summit is engineered with a 5-axis scanning probe, REVO-2 sensors and options for automation.
Contact-less microsensor targets real-time NDT for composite structures
RVmagnetics’ MicroWire self-monitors composite structures via embedding during the production process. It improves safety, control and real-time data for predictive maintenance.
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
BreakThru Technology reduces free formaldehyde in phenolic resins
The technology reduces free formaldehyde in phenolic fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) resins to below 1000ppm (less than 0.1%).
DUNA introduces Corafoam tooling board product line
The 2-Ib polyurethane Corafoam HPT-35 makes for efficient production of prototypes, is non-toxic and can be applied to composite layup tooling.
#layup
TFP highlights basalt veil and intumescent fire protection materials
Technical Fibre Products’ basalt veil is ideal for high-temperature performance, and its Technofire fire protection materials extensively protect underlying structures from heat.
#infrastructure