CW Blog

Thermoplastics 1 Feb 2013

Cure for cratering: Gel coat perfected with design of experiments software

Resin manufacturer Interplastic Corp. – Thermoset Resins Div. (St. Paul, Minn.), a major gel coat producer, recently developed a new gel coat with the aid of Design-Expert design of experiments software from Stat-Ease Inc. (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Editorial 1 Feb 2013

CT goes blogging

CT editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan introduces the CompositesWorld Blog.

Pressure Vessels 25 Jan 2013

U.S. playing catch-up in offshore wind race

With excellent wind resources off the U.S. East Coast, it's high time wind energy developers start investing in the region. A promising start might be underway off the coast of Maine, where Statoil is working to develop a floating turbine.

Autoclave 21 Jan 2013

In new Corvette Stingray, another step forward for composites

Plasan Carbon Composites puts its "pressure press" process, developed with Globe Machine, to work in the manufacture of the hood and roof for the new 2014 Corvette Stingray, introduced last week at the Detroit Auto Show.

Prepregs 18 Jan 2013

TenCate's acquisition of Amber Composites a sensible surprise

TenCate, known for years as a thermoplastics specialist, is signaling more and more that it wants to move into new markets with new materials.

Aerospace 31 Dec 2012

Next-generation braiding for next-gen bike

When Grenchen, Switzerland-based Bicycle Manufacturing Co. (BMC) decided to braid the tubes for its impec racing bike frame, the use of carbon fiber and the complex tube designs and shapes prompted the use of radial braiding technology from August Herzog Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG (Oldenburg, Germany)

Aerospace 31 Dec 2012

A400M wing assembly: Challenge of integrating composites

The Atlas military transport’s decade of development has lighted the path for Airbus wing development on the A350 and future programs.

Carbon Fibers 31 Dec 2012

Kinetic sculpture made possible with carbon fiber composites

Halo, an unusual wind-activated kinetic sculpture is realized with the help of Gurit (Newport, Isle of Wight, U.K.) and molder Innovation Composites (South Nowra, New South Wales, Australia)

Defense 31 Dec 2012

Cutting and laser layup technology supports tier fabricator in Boeing project

Prototype production for The Boeing Co.’s (Chicago. Ill.) Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS) aircraft gets a boost from cutting and templating hardware/software supplied by Gerber Technology (Tolland, Conn.)

Automotive 31 Dec 2012

Waiting for $5/lb carbon fiber?

HPC editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan suggests we say goodbye to $5/lb carbon fiber and expect that composites will earn their way onto autos by saving drivers money.