Focus on Design

Design/Simulation 21 Dec 2020

Thermoplastic composite structure replaces metals on safety-critical brake pedals

First all-composite brake pedals developed by Boge Rubber & Plastics Group are lighter, stiffer, stronger and offer improved driving haptics.

Focus on Design 20 Oct 2020

The Alpha launch vehicle: Designing performance in, cost out

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha 2.0 launch vehicle, designed to deliver satellites into low Earth orbit, gets a composites makeover in pursuit of larger payload capacity and more cost-effective performance.

Focus on Design 23 Sep 2020

EV battery enclosure inspires material, process innovations

High unit volume and low weight requirements for electric bus battery enclosures fueled development of TRB Lightweight Structures’ specialized epoxy system and automated composites production line.

Infusion 21 Aug 2020

Reimagining wind blade design

Wind turbine blade architecture is so well established that it’s difficult to imagine there might be a better alternative. ACT Blade’s skeleton-based design is a step in that direction.

Weaving 27 Jul 2020

Composites-intensive masterwork: 2020 Corvette, Part 2

Innovative composite materials trim mass, costs and noise on the high-volume mid-engine sports car.

Design/Simulation 23 Jun 2020

Composites-intensive masterwork: 2020 Corvette, Part 1

Eighth-generation vehicle sports more composites, and features parts produced using unique materials and processes.

Focus on Design 20 May 2020

Composite output shaft ready for automotive proving ground

Unlike automotive driveshafts, automotive output shafts cannot leverage shaft length as a factor when making the case for composites. Instead, other beneficial features have made a composite output shaft able to compete with metal shafts, especially in electric vehicles.