CW Blog

Wind/Energy 21 May 2009

Solvent-free release a good match for wind blade molding

Wind power’s reputation as a “green” technology belies the fact that production of turbine components requires many materials and products that aren’t green.

Aerospace 18 May 2009

JEC Composites 2009 showcase

Despite the doleful state of the global economy, the turnout in Paris — exhibitors and visitors — proved surprisingly strong.

Wind/Energy 18 May 2009

Windpower 2009 highlights

The show confirmed wind energy’s status as a recession-proof market for composites, but blade manufacturers were put on notice about the need to automate.

Sustainability 17 May 2009

Offshore wind: How big will blades get?

Explosive growth in offshore wind farms will push the limits of blade engineering as manufacturers pursue massive designs that will harvest more megawatts.

Ketones 1 May 2009

SAMPE Europe/JEC highlights

The global economy might be on the wane, but there was little evidence of it at the annual SAMPE Europe conference and nearby JEC Composites Show in Paris.

Wind/Energy 1 May 2009

The half-full glass

During a recession — and I’ve only known relatively mild downturns until now — an editor always heads off to a trade show with, at best, some hesitancy and, at worst, gloomy pessimism.

BMI 24 Apr 2009

Lightweight, stable large-tool concept requires no master model

After two years of testing, partners Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Tulsa, Okla.) and GrafTech (Parma, Ohio) are commercializing the ACG GRAFOAM FPA-20 tooling system, a new concept in dimensionally stable, low-mass, high-temperature-compatible composite tooling. The system’s foundation is carbon foam.

Materials Testing 24 Apr 2009

C-Scan inspection facility cuts cost for commercial copter

Bell Helicopter Textron’s (Ft. Worth, Texas) 429 helicopter, first revealed in 2008, is targeted to individual, corporate and emergency-services customers.

Wind/Energy 22 Apr 2009

SAMPE 2009 Preview

The Society takes its U.S. trade show back to Baltimore, expecting to prepare advanced materials professionals for uncertain economic times.

ATL/AFP 21 Apr 2009

AFP/ATL design-to-manufacture: Bridging the gap

Managing production of a structure made via fiber or tape placement often requires software-aided manipulation of the subtle differences between that which is designed and that which can be manufactured.

Aerospace 20 Apr 2009

The outlook for unmanned aircraft

Focused on maximizing payload capacity and endurance, the market for composite aerostructures in unmanned aircraft production is poised to grow 300 percent over the next decade.

17 Apr 2009

Neat resin specimen fabrication aids

To obtain quality experimental data, one must have access to quality test specimens.