UC San Diego earns NASA grant for eVTOL design tool development
Three-year project to develop open-source simulation and optimization tools to enable companies to rapidly design eVTOL vehicle concepts.
New Magna facility to build battery enclosures with composite configuration option
The new 345,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in St. Clair, Michigan, is to build battery enclosures for the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, with multiple assembly options for customers.
#electricvehicles
Orbital Composites to demonstrate containerized 3D printing robots for AM wind blade manufacture
Project aims to demonstrate additive manufacturing of >100-meter-long composite wind blades with >25% reduced cost.
#composites4_0 #windblades
Tow steering, Part 3: The birth of tow shearing
In-plane shearing of tows, versus in-plane bending of tows, hopes to take automated fiber placement directionality to new levels.
#workinprogress
Videos / Podcasts
Carbon Axis XCell strengthens AFP capabilities at Compositadour
New robotic cell will expand testing, prototyping and pre-series production for industries looking to automate composites preforming.
#automation
The path to OOA wings with minimal fasteners
A review of the quest to eliminate both the autoclave and mechanical fasteners in composite wing structures.
#ms21 #outofautoclave #trends
Invar, wire additive manufacturing expand aerocomposite tooling options
Invar facesheets and backing structures are candidates for large-format 3D printing to more quickly and efficiently produce aerostructures tooling.
#workinprogress #boeing
Clean Sky 2 study emphasizes need for hydrogen-powered aviation development
Independent study found hydrogen as primary energy source for aircraft propulsion, outlines roadmap and required policy actions for hydrogen aviation, fuel cell technology development.
#cleansky
Clean Sky 2 SHERLOC project advances SHM for composites
New video shows goals, framework, sensors and tests for more affordable, smart composite fuselage
#cleansky #composites4_0
Novel dry tape for liquid molded composites
MTorres seeks to enable next-gen aircraft and open new markets for composites with low-cost, high-permeability tapes and versatile, high-speed production lines.
#automation #outofautoclave #windblades
Manufacturing the upper half of the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator (MFFD)
Proving industrial reliability for low-cost thermoplastic composites production using AFP in-situ consolidation, as well as continuous ultrasonic and resistance welding.
#cleansky #paek
Advancing the OOA infused wing box
MTorres integrates lower cover, front and rear spars into unitized flying demonstrator using one-shot, low-cost, portable production.
#airbus #insidemanufacturing #cleansky
UC San Diego earns NASA grant for eVTOL design tool development
Three-year project to develop open-source simulation and optimization tools to enable companies to rapidly design eVTOL vehicle concepts.
Orbital Composites to demonstrate containerized 3D printing robots for AM wind blade manufacture
Project aims to demonstrate additive manufacturing of >100-meter-long composite wind blades with >25% reduced cost.
#composites4_0 #windblades
New Magna facility to build battery enclosures with composite configuration option
The new 345,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in St. Clair, Michigan, is to build battery enclosures for the 2022 GMC Hummer EV, with multiple assembly options for customers.
#electricvehicles
Carbon Axis XCell strengthens AFP capabilities at Compositadour
New robotic cell will expand testing, prototyping and pre-series production for industries looking to automate composites preforming.
#automation
Collins Aerospace awarded $64 million contract for composite warship sonar domes
Traditional rubber domes on U.S. and Allied Navy frigrates to be replaced with composite keel domes for improved structural and acoustic performance.
Creative Pultrusions forms Creative Composites Group for enhanced FRP solution offerings
CCG is the umbrella entity for the U.S.-based composite companies that are now part of Hill and Smith, with the dedication to provide flexible engineered composite system capabilities for major infrastructure markets.
#infrastructure
HP-RTM as a means to reduce hydrogen tank packaging space and cost
BBG Gmbh & Co. KG has developed molds for producers of type IV CFRP tanks, integrating automation and sensors for faster, cheaper production of adjustable-length hydrogen storage cylinders.
#electricvehicles #braiding #hprtm
NEW PRODUCTS: MARKETS
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.
HexPly XF surface materials satisfy high-quality wind blade surface finish
Suitable for prepreg and infusion processes, Hexcel’s HexPly XF reduce shell manufacturing time by up to 2 hours and removes all surface defects prior to painting.
#outofautoclave #windblades
Axiom Materials CerFace AX-8810 surface film improves outer finish of CMC components
Surface film protects exposed fibers and minimizes surface roughness of CMC components for operating temperatures of up to 1,093ºC.
#ceramicmatrixcomposites
Farécla polishing and finishing compounds offer improved finishes and application ease
Norton|Saint-Gobain Abrasives’ Farécla line is designed to enhance shine on painted surface, gel coats and wood lacquers, and can be applied to finished composites.
E9 ultra-high-modulus glass fiber targets high-end applications
Compared to E-glass, Jushi’s E9 glass fiber boasts improved mechanical properties, including a 36% higher modulus and 60% higher strength.
ATL Composites epoxy laminating system maintains new surfboard appearance
KINETIX R111 is a solvent-free, liquid epoxy resin optimized with a translucent blue tint that produces a clear, bright finish for surfboard products.
