CW Blog

Infrastructure

The big blue bear: Redux

It’s been 12 years since I wrote “Composite Sculpture Bears a Second Look” about the big blue bear sculpture in downtown Denver, CO, US. The project opened my eyes to digital design, and gave me the opportunity to meet the sculptor, Lawrence Argent. Argent passed away last week.

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Automotive

CW Talks checks in with Ford's Patrick Blanchard

The latest episode of CW Talks: The Composites Podcast has been posted and is ready for listening. This week, we check in with Patrick Blanchard, global technical leader –composites, at Ford Motor Co.

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Automated Preforming, Part 5: Holistic Quality Optimization

Simulation and testing key to integrated approach for optimization of automated preforming, offering time and cost savings as well as basis for automated quality inspection.

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Porsche and the braided carbon fiber wheel

For just €15,232, you can get a set of four braided carbon fiber wheels on your 2018 Porsche 911 S. This will be the first time a carmaker has offered braided carbon fiber in such an application.

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All hail SMC

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is no stranger to the composites industry, but the last few years have seen a renaissance for this workhorse material as it is embraced anew.

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Infrastructure

Rail line landmark restoration via pultrusion

Composites’ corrosion resistance ensures preservation.  

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RTM

Rotomolded cores: New options for sandwich composites

Permanent or removable, these hollow thermoplastic cores broaden industry offerings.  

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Automotive

The Composites Business Index at 56.4 in August

The Composites Business Index sets a 2017 high for growth in the US composites industry.  

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Episode 10: Patrick Blanchard, Ford Motor Co.

Patrick Blanchard, global technical leader – composites at Ford Motor Co., talks about applying composites to vehicles.

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Can flexure testing provide estimates of composite strength properties?

Flexure tests are simple to perform, yet the state of stress and failure modes are among the most complex.  

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Aerospace

Space: Still the Final Frontier

In western Kentucky, August 21, in the path of a total eclipse of the sun, I put pen to paper....

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Wind/Energy

Graphene and CNTs: Commercialization after the hype

Graphene and CNT applications within the advanced composites sector are still at a relatively early stage of the commercialization process, but as the availability of materials or dispersions of consistent quality has increased, a number of composite materials and components are starting to incorporate these nanomaterials.

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