CW Blog

Editorial

Rational exuberance for emerging markets

Advanced air mobility and hydrogen storage represent a huge opportunity for the composites industry. They will also be hugely challenging.

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Hi-Temp Resins

Plant tour: Qarbon Aerospace, Milledgeville, Ga. and Red Oak, Texas

Veteran aerostructures Tier 1 transforms into 21st century leader in thermoplastic composites and multiple new markets.

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Repair

Alternate heat sources for hot-bonded composite repairs

Successfully using an alternate heat source for repairing composite structures requires an awareness of thermal dynamics and effective heat transfer management.

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Laboratory for Intelligent Lightweight Production at CTC Stade advances digital solutions for industrial composites

Four-year, 12-million-euro LaiLa project with Helmut Schmidt University combines R&D with industry collaboration to solve real production pain points, validate solutions in digital lab/model factory at CTC and transfer knowledge to supply chain including customized training.

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Aerospace

Hydrostatic membrane consolidation: Skin-stringer panels in 60 minutes

Airbus and Siempelkamp demonstrate press process as alternative to thermoplastic welding, aimed to enable rate 100 aircraft and future mobility manufacturing.

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Work In Progress

Can 3D printing debottleneck prototype tool production?

Preliminary IACMI/ORNL study evaluates viability of using polymer additive tooling to compression mold SMC.

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Cutting/Kitting

Improve production with five-axis machines built for composites

Virtually tour (4) USA-Made 5-Axis CNC Machines designed and engineered to help companies improve profits by decreasing cycle times and improving part quality. (Sponsored)

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Carbon Fibers

CFRP breakdown poles designed for lightweight, long-lasting use in marine applications

Shellback Canvas LLC wanted to develop a cost-effective alternative to prepreg poles for its canvas boat awnings. The resulting Blacksticks comprise compression-molded carbon fiber braid and epoxy in a unique process.

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Regional air mobility: A meaningful first step in the electric aviation revolution

Electrification of fixed-wing, <50-seat regional aircraft might stimulate a new era of growth that could help pave the way for advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.

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Aerospace

Will the Airbus-CFM H2 flight demonstrator use metal or composite tanks?

The Airbus A380 testbed will fly in 2026 with four 100-kilogram liquid hydrogen tanks — metal and composites are being developed via Airbus ZEROe Development Centres — with multiple other programs to develop composite H2 tanks for civil aviation that were begun in 2021.

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Automotive

Multi-material toolbox for cost-effective, scalable EV battery enclosure design

Mexico-based automotive Tier 1 Katcon has developed a “toolbox” of material, process and joining options aiming to serve a range of electric vehicle requirements.

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Aerospace

Lifting arm concept and automated repair training to propel portable repair system

Looking to commercialize its Portable Scarfing/Composite Repair System concept, AGFM and partners offer specialized training, lifting and inspection systems.

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Composite raw materials
Quickly Make Molds, Tools and Fixtures
Alpha’s Premier ESR®
prepeg and slit tape products