Inside Manufacturing
Hybrid process marries continuous, discontinuous composites design
9T Labs and Purdue applied Additive Fusion Technology to engineer a performance- and cost-competitive aircraft bin pin bracket made from compression-molded continuous and discontinuous CFRTP.
Stewart Mitchell
Contributor Writer
Optimizing AFP for complex-cored CFRP fuselage
Automated process cuts emissions, waste and cost for lightweight RACER helicopter side shells.
Read MoreNovel dry tape for liquid molded composites
MTorres seeks to enable next-gen aircraft and open new markets for composites with low-cost, high-permeability tapes and versatile, high-speed production lines.
Read MoreComposites enable epic interior for Museum of the Future
For this one-of-a-kind lobby, AFI pioneered digital, reconfigurable molds to achieve organic-shaped, multifunctional panels and stairwell cladding.
Read MoreComposite rebar for future infrastructure
GFRP eliminates risk of corrosion and increases durability fourfold for reinforced concrete that meets future demands as traffic, urbanization and extreme weather increase.
Read MoreComposite rotary milking platform evolves via process innovations
Infusion and LRTM-based processes and design enabled Waikato Milking Systems to bring a lighter, less labor-intensive platform to the global dairy market.
Read MoreEasy-to-use kits enable infield repair of composite structures
Portable kit enables patch repairs using UV-cure glass fiber/vinyl ester or room-temp stored carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs and battery-powered curing equipment.
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Manufacturing the MFFD thermoplastic composite fuselage
Demonstrator’s upper, lower shells and assembly prove materials and new processes for lighter, cheaper and more sustainable high-rate future aircraft.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Braided preforms and resin infusion for next-generation aerocomposites
Spintech shows significant cost and labor savings using its Smart Tooling, dry fiber preforms and RTM/VARTM technology on aircraft wing and inlet duct demonstrators.
Read MoreLarge composite covers protect a lot of water
A massive concrete water storage facility in Bogotá, Colombia, gets a much-needed makeover with the resin transfer molding of 840 large composite domes that keep the water potable.
Read MoreAdvancing the OOA infused wing box
MTorres integrates lower cover, front and rear spars into unitized flying demonstrator using one-shot, low-cost, portable production.
Read MoreBuilding the Museum of the Future
FR composite panels provide structure, sealing and iconic facade for pioneering architecture in Dubai.
Read MoreC-FREX exoskeleton depends on CFRP for unpowered movement
C-FREX uses a novel design and CFRP to overcome the heaviness and weakness of metallic exoskeletons.
Read MoreHigh-rate, automated aerospace RTM line delivers next-gen spoilers
At Spirit AeroSystem’s Prestwick facility in Scotland, a glimpse of the future of aerocomposites manufacturing in a resin transfer molding line for A320 spoilers.
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CompositesWorld's top ten "Inside Manufacturing" articles
CW’s Inside Manufacturing column dives into the processes, materials, technologies, and applications related to composites manufacturing. Take a look at our top ten most popular pieces from this column and see what interests you the most.
Cara Ready
Digital Editor, Modern Machine Shop & Production Machining
Compression RTM for production of future aerostructures
Automated preforming and 5-min resin infiltration show a way forward for lower-cost CFRP primary structures.
Read MoreOvermolded hybrid parts open new composites markets
A process that combines continuous carbon fiber-reinforced PAEK with chopped fiber/PEEK overmolding is making inroads in the aerospace market. Parts that previously could not be produced cost-effectively from composites can now be made at less cost than their metal counterparts.
Read MoreAutomated joining of hybrid metal-thermoplastic composite structures
The FlexHyJoin production cell combines surface structuring, induction and laser joining and NDT for automotive mass production.
Read MoreFilament wound utility poles offer design flexibility
In Turkey, a utility pole manufacturer combines filament winding, automation, glass and carbon fiber composites to expand its product line.
Read MoreComposites design and process engineering form next-generation truck body panels
Glass fiber/foam preform technology is key to the all-composite refrigerated truck body panels.
Read MoreSpar forming simplified
Adapting its Automated Stiffener Forming (ASF) technology to build spars directly in female molds, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems anticipates dramatic drops in cycle time and manufacturing cost.
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Developing repairs for thermoplastic composite aerostructures
HyPatchRepair project proves feasibility of automated process chain for welded thermoplastic composite patch repairs.
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Thermoplastic overmolded thermosets, 2-minute cycle, one cell
Adhesive-free, functionalized hybrid composites enabled by industry-first, integrated molding cell.
Read MoreComposite radar masts assembled for megayachts
Vabo Composites designs, builds and assembles 10m-tall composite radar masts, improving weight, stability and performance for modern megayachts.
Read MoreLeveraging composites for space tourism
Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo will carry its SpaceShipTwo to launch position, then rocket passengers to suborbital space for a heavenly view of Earth.
Read MoreThermoplastic composites: Scenic view
First use of thermoplastic composite guide rails to replace aluminum brings many benefits to fixed-glass, roller-blind sunroof modules.
Read MoreThe International 14: High-tech but still accessible
Naval architect Paul Bieker and Henderson Boat Co. team take this venerable marine racing class to a more affordable performance/cost combination.
Read MoreInfused wing sheds light on aerocomposites future
In the Irkut MS-21 infused and co-cured wings, the aerocomposites industry gets a glimpse of how out-of-autoclave technologies might be applied to primary aircraft structures.
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