Past, Present and Future

Past, Present and Future 20 Dec 2019

IACMI: 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.

Glass Fibers 26 Nov 2019

The 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.

Aerospace 9 Sep 2019

Riding the rollercoaster that is the aerospace industry

The Boeing’s 787 and the Airbus A350 XWB plunged the commercial aerospace supply chain into a period of instability from which it has only just emerged. The next generation of commercial aircraft production promises to be just as tumultuous.

Pressure Vessels 23 Mar 2023

Natural fiber composites: What’s holding them back?

Natural fiber reinforcements have been available for some time, but factors such as compatibility with current processes and geographic availability continue to limit widespread use.

Aerospace 25 Feb 2019

Can the aerospace industry regain its ability to "try"?

TPI Composites’ Steve Nolet reflects on the strides that composites in the aerospace industry have made in the past fifty years, while also wondering if the industry could regain the space race era desire to test limits.

Aerospace 23 Jan 2019

3D printing is missing the third dimension

Emerging processes like continuous fiber manufacturing, in-situ consolidation and tool-less manufacturing are bringing composite 3D printing into the third dimension.

Aerospace 1 Jan 2019

Aerospace outlook: A dynamic, evolving supply chain and market

With major new aircraft programs on the horizon, the aerospace industry is looking to reduce costs and increase efficiencies.

Automotive 1 Dec 2018

Innovation in SMC: A long history and great potential

Manufacturer’s representative Steve Brown reflects on the history of sheet molding compound (SMC) development and lessons he has learned from working with companies through the process.