CW Blog

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.

NDI 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.

Aerospace 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.

Carbon Fibers 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.

Recycling 17 Apr 2009

Thermoplastic catamaran highlights plastic waste recycling

This month, adventurer David de Rothschild and a crew that will include several scientists will set sail on a 60-ft/18.5m catamaran, dubbed Plastiki, made entirely of postconsumer plastic bottles in various forms.

Cutting/Kitting 17 Apr 2009

CNC routers optimize cooling tower build

Although cooling towers traditionally have been made with wood and concrete, composite materials are gaining acceptance due to their corrosion and rot resistance, light weight and ease of installation.

Materials Testing 17 Apr 2009

Neat resin specimen fabrication aids

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

Out of Autoclave 14 Apr 2009

The color purple: The "no complaints" movement

So, I finally heard about the “no complaints” movement the other day, which involves wearing a rubberized purple bracelet and switching it from one wrist to the other whenever one utters a negative word.

Infrastructure 1 Apr 2009

The future of composites education

Experts weigh in on the weighty problems this industry faces as it confronts a serious shortage of trained personnel.

Editorial 27 Mar 2009

A season of change

There’s been a lot of change in the last few months: change for the good, change for the worse, inevitable change, transitory change, small change, big change, “Change we can believe in.” Now, there's change at CT.

Weaving 27 Mar 2009

COMPOSITES+POLYCON 2009 Showcase

Despite the deepening recession, composites pros returned to the show in its new time slot to explore the wealth of products and services collected here.