Design & Tooling

Molds/Tools 24 Apr 2009

Lightweight, stable large-tool concept requires no master model

After two years of testing, partners Advanced Composites Group (ACG, Tulsa, Okla.) and GrafTech (Parma, Ohio) are commercializing the ACG GRAFOAM FPA-20 tooling system, a new concept in dimensionally stable, low-mass, high-temperature-compatible composite tooling. The system’s foundation is carbon foam.

Materials Testing 24 Apr 2009

C-Scan inspection facility cuts cost for commercial copter

Bell Helicopter Textron’s (Ft. Worth, Texas) 429 helicopter, first revealed in 2008, is targeted to individual, corporate and emergency-services customers.

Aerospace 21 Apr 2009

AFP/ATL design-to-manufacture: Bridging the gap

Managing production of a structure made via fiber or tape placement often requires software-aided manipulation of the subtle differences between that which is designed and that which can be manufactured.

Carbon Fibers 19 Apr 2009

Composite wing key to high-speed stability

First mass-produced CFRP wing helps supercar achieve downforce and lateral acceleration values superior to many GT racing cars.

Materials Testing 17 Apr 2009

Neat resin specimen fabrication aids

To obtain quality experimental data, one must have access to quality test specimens.

Infrastructure 23 Feb 2009

Aircraft simulation gets composites aware

Rapid software evolution enables faster, better virtual solutions to complex composite design problems.

Materials Testing 31 Dec 2008

Mechanical wedge grips for tensile testing

In tensile testing, wedge grips are used on both ends of the specimen to position the specimen in the test frame.

Marine 31 Dec 2008

Finite element analysis garners performance gains for yacht component

In the ongoing quest to reduce weight in high-performance sailing yachts, no part goes unexamined or untouched.

Medical 6 Oct 2008

Prototyping and manufacturing by additive fabrication

Additive fabrication (AF) technology, such as laser sintering (LS) and fused deposition modeling (FDM), encompasses a wide range of applications. The earliest was rapid prototyping to support design, concept modeling, fit/function testing, and pattern making without the need to construct expensive tooling for prototypes and test articles. Manufacturers also are using AF to produce jigs, fixtures, drill guides, and other manufacturing and assembly tools.

Design/Simulation 1 Jan 2008

Inside Analysis: Simulating VARTM for better infusion

A resin flow simulation tool is helping to optimize liquid molding of aerospace parts.

HyperX Software for Composite Structural Analysis

Keyland Polymer Webinar Coatings on Composite & AM