CW Blog
Composites evolution, big and small
We like to focus on the Next Big Thing in composites, but everyday processes need attention too.
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The building envelope: Betting on the big time
Building code changes and growing architect familiarity feed more frequent composites use in large-scale commercial construction.
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The structural grid: Prefabrication
Digitally designed and cut, preformed and preinfused stringers and bulkheads reduce boat weight, labor and cycle time and improve boatbuilder process control.
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Composites slake the world's thirst
As the global thirst for drinkable water increases, the composites industry is drinking in the tremendous possibilities in seawater desalination.
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Paddleboard productivity: Adhesively bonded hull/deck is key
Dragonfly Boatworks LLC's (Vero Beach, Fla.) new standup paddleboard for fly fishing is built without fasteners, with the aid of SG200-40 methacrylate adhesive from SCIGRIP Smarter Adhesive Solutions (Durham, N.C.).
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Deep draw: Unique laminate architecture enables bus part
For a major mass-transit manufacturer, Amtech LLC (Wapato, Wash.) successfully thermoforms a luggage cover with a remarkably deep draw of 40 inches (1,016 mm), using a laminate architecture that includes a top layer of 0.180-inch/4.5-mm gauge Grade 4800 thermoplastic sheet, supplied by Boltaron (Newcomerstown, Ohio).
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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.).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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