Sara Black

Sara Black Senior Technical Editor Emeritus

A look inside Fraunhofer ICT

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Munich, Germany) is the largest applied research organization in Europe, with more than 67 institutes and research units located throughout Germany staffed by 24,500 people, mostly scientists and engineers. CW recently got a chance to tour one, Fraunhofer ICT in Pfintzal, Germany. 

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Adhesives

Fiber-metal laminates in the spotlight

Interest in FMLs is growing again as aeroengineers search for lightweight solutions adaptable to new narrowbody commercial aircraft.

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The Grenfell Tower Fire - Let's make sure our architectural composites meet the codes

The devastating and deadly fire in a residential high-rise tower in London on June 14 did NOT involve composite materials as defined by CompositesWorld magazine, our readers and most composite suppliers.

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Carbon Fibers

2017 Paris Air Show is good for composites

There is definitely a lot going on this week at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airfield. Much of it relates to composites. Here’s a brief rundown.

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Carbon Fibers

A new paradigm in airframe construction?

MTorres, a major supplier of automated manufacturing equipment for composites, has revealed a new way to manufacture airframe structure using composites.

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Out of Autoclave

Composites bridge the gap in an historic nature trail

Partially pre-assembled pultruded parts helicoptered in for quick, nature-sensitive assembly.

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Thermoplastics

Shape Machining shapes Elemental sports car

Designed and manufactured by a team of ex-McLaren designers, the recently launched RP1 features advanced aerodynamics and novel composite solutions, including an all-carbon composite passenger tub built to Formula 1 strength and stiffness standards.

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Glass Fibers

Composites in transit: Rolling robotic “stuff carrier” the new must-have

PPF’s Gita can move at a human walking pace or can accelerate up to 35 kph, fast enough to keep pace with a runner.

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Wind/Energy

Composites recycling is gaining traction

Although CW’s coverage of composites recycling dates back over a decade, informal statistics still show that only ~2% of composites-related companies are active recyclers. That said, three years since our most recent feature on the subject, there is demonstrably greater interest and activity, and real applications of recycled fiber are growing.

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Feature

Composites recycling: Gaining traction

Recycling of carbon fiber, glass fiber and — at last — resins, is growing as new players enter the space.

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Autoclave

European SAMPE meeting explores composites innovation

High spots from SAMPE Europe’s Summit 17.

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Autoclave

3D printed tools are in production at Dassault Falcon Jet

The trend of employing polymeric additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing for composite tooling is growing.

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Composite raw materials