Aerospace

NDI 2 Mar 2015

Integrating NDI into manufacturing: Online inspection of CFRP prior to cure

Esmeralda Cuevas, head of NDT technologies at Tecnatom SA (San Sebastian de Los Reyes, Spain), details efforts of the TARGET project, which investigated how to integrate NDI into the composites manufacturing process prior to cure stage.

Carbon Fibers 2 Mar 2015

Applying the Internet of Things to composites production efficiency

The Internet of Things is defined as the technology of connecting devices, systems and services that goes beyond mere machine-to-machine communications. Guest columnist Avner Ben-Bassat, president/CEO of Plataine Ltd. (Waltham, MA, US) calls for its implementation in the aerospace manufacturing workplace.

Injection/Overmolding 2 Mar 2015

Looking for Lindberghs

Every paradigm-shifting invention throughout human history has been met with skepticism. CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan says the composites industry has need of those willing to attempt what most believe impossible.

Construction 2 Mar 2015

Incremental thinking just won’t cut it!

Composites industry consultant and regular CW columnist Dale Brosius says if this industry is to have a future that goes anywhere profitable, then we've got to get off the road we're on and map out a whole new way to think about the tasks at hand.

Space 16 Feb 2015

Virgin Galactic opens LauncherOne design and manufacturing plant

LauncherOne, a new two-stage orbital launch vehicle designed to deliver satellites of 225 kg or less into orbit, will be manufactured at a facility near the Long Beach, CA, US airport. A job fair is scheduled for March 7.

Epoxies 9 Feb 2015

Donauwörth as composites pioneer

Airbus Helicopter Germany produces composite primary structure for 30+ years, first all-composite doors for A350 XWB and latest “kinked” composite blades for new “quiet” rotorcraft.

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Out of Autoclave 3 Feb 2015

Learjet 85 is tabled, but what of the technology that created it?

The Learjet 85 is has been put on hold by Bombardier, but a lot of effort went into the composites processes that helped create it. What will become of those?