Articles

Laboratory for Intelligent Lightweight Production at CTC Stade advances digital solutions for industrial composites

Four-year, 12-million-euro LaiLa project with Helmut Schmidt University combines R&D with industry collaboration to solve real production pain points, validate solutions in digital lab/model factory at CTC and transfer knowledge to supply chain including customized training.

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Focus on Design

Hydrostatic membrane consolidation: Skin-stringer panels in 60 minutes

Airbus and Siempelkamp demonstrate press process as alternative to thermoplastic welding, aimed to enable rate 100 aircraft and future mobility manufacturing.

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Can 3D printing debottleneck prototype tool production?

Preliminary IACMI/ORNL study evaluates viability of using polymer additive tooling to compression mold SMC.

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Cutting/Kitting

Improve production with five-axis machines built for composites

Virtually tour (4) USA-Made 5-Axis CNC Machines designed and engineered to help companies improve profits by decreasing cycle times and improving part quality. (Sponsored)

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Carbon Fibers

CFRP breakdown poles designed for lightweight, long-lasting use in marine applications

Shellback Canvas LLC wanted to develop a cost-effective alternative to prepreg poles for its canvas boat awnings. The resulting Blacksticks comprise compression-molded carbon fiber braid and epoxy in a unique process.

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Regional air mobility: A meaningful first step in the electric aviation revolution

Electrification of fixed-wing, <50-seat regional aircraft might stimulate a new era of growth that could help pave the way for advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.

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Discover More About Sensors for Composites Processing

Throughout 2020 and 2021, CW has reported on sensors that can be used to process composites, as well as projects that demonstrate their installation and capabilities. This microsite collates CW’s reporting on sensors to provide, in one place, information about the types of sensors being used in composites.

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Thermoplastics

Will the Airbus-CFM H2 flight demonstrator use metal or composite tanks?

The Airbus A380 testbed will fly in 2026 with four 100-kilogram liquid hydrogen tanks — metal and composites are being developed via Airbus ZEROe Development Centres — with multiple other programs to develop composite H2 tanks for civil aviation that were begun in 2021.

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Automotive

Multi-material toolbox for cost-effective, scalable EV battery enclosure design

Mexico-based automotive Tier 1 Katcon has developed a “toolbox” of material, process and joining options aiming to serve a range of electric vehicle requirements.

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Automation

Lifting arm concept and automated repair training to propel portable repair system

Looking to commercialize its Portable Scarfing/Composite Repair System concept, AGFM and partners offer specialized training, lifting and inspection systems.

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Sensors

Sensors for Composites Processing: CW Trending Episode 8

Why use sensors in composites manufacturing? What sensor types are available and how can they be applied? Learn about all of this and more in a discussion with CW senior editor Ginger Gardiner and editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan in this episode of CW Trending, sponsored by RVmagnetics.

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Sensors: Data for next-gen composites manufacturing

In the quest for sustainability, sensors are reducing cycle times, energy use and waste, automating closed-loop process control and increasing knowledge to open new possibilities for intelligent manufacturing and structures.

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Composite raw materials
High-Performance Composites
CAMX 2024
Aerospace prepreg and carbon fiber
VersaMix® meter mix system