CW Blog

Work In Progress

Active core molding: A new way to make composite parts

Koridion expandable material is combined with induction-heated molds to make high-quality, complex-shaped parts in minutes with 40% less material and 90% less energy, unlocking new possibilities in design and production.

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Work In Progress

Laser-excited acoustics provide contact-free, nondestructive composites inspection

Xarion’s couplant-free NDT technology uses laser physics and a membrane-free optical microphone, eliminating the requirement for fluid coupling, widening the scope for NDT technology.

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Application

Optimized rib-reinforced hollow composites via printed molds

Addyx topology optimization and water-soluble mandrel enables simultaneous rib and skin layup for one-shot, high-strength, lightweight structures.

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Photothermal tomography for locating, quantifying defects in composites

Years of infrared testing development result in thermography technology that is no longer just qualitative, but can define defect size and depth, making additional UT scans obsolete.

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Automotive

Composites end markets: Automotive (2024)

Recent trends in automotive composites include new materials and developments for battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell technologies, and recycled and bio-based materials.

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Core

Guidance for the thermoforming process

A briefing on some of the common foam core material types, forming methods and tooling requirements.

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CAMX

Getting ready for CAMX 2024

The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo’s 10th anniversary trade show and conference will be held in San Diego from Sept. 9-12, 2024.

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Economics

Composites industry activity continued to contract faster in June

Composites Fabricating’s second month of contraction, also reflected in other industry segments, suggests larger factors are at play.  

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Carbon Fibers

Revisiting the OceanGate Titan disaster

A year has passed since the tragic loss of the Titan submersible that claimed the lives of five people. What lessons have been learned from the disaster?

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Aerospace

Combining multifunctional thermoplastic composites, additive manufacturing for next-gen airframe structures

The DOMMINIO project combines AFP with 3D printed gyroid cores, embedded SHM sensors and smart materials for induction-driven disassembly of parts at end of life.

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Aerospace

Achieving composites innovation through collaboration

Stephen Heinz, vice president of R&I for Syensqo delivered an inspirational keynote at SAMPE 2024, highlighting the significant role of composite materials in emerging technologies and encouraging broader collaboration within the manufacturing community. 

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Plant Tours

Plant tour: Aernnova Composites, Toledo and Illescas, Spain

RTM and ATL/AFP high-rate production sites feature this composites and engineering leader’s continued push for excellence and innovation for future airframes.

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Composite raw materials