Infrastructure

Epoxies 7 Oct 2016

Is the BMW 7 Series the future of autocomposites?

BMW AG's Dingolfing, Germany, auto manufacturing facility is well known for churning out a variety of car models and types, and the 7 Series is among them, famous for its steel/aluminum/composites construction. Does this car represent the optimum of composites use in vehiicles? This plant tour of the Dingolfing plant looks at how composites on the 7 Series come together.

Automotive 1 Oct 2016

Small companies, long-term impact

In a time known for owner “exit strategies,” longevity in family-owned composites businesses is heartening.

RTM 13 Sep 2016

BMW 7 Series Plant: Dingolfing, Germany

Via four different manufacturing methods, CFRP goes mainstream in automated multi-material BIW and assembly operations at BMW’s busiest plant.

Sustainability 10 Aug 2016

Vartega shows positive results of recycled carbon fiber testing

US-based Vartega Carbon Fiber Recycling has begun characterization of its material, and has received a letter of support from Janicki Industries, which will start to assess the fiber as well.

BMI 11 Jul 2016

Structural adhesives, Part II: Aerospace

Tried-and-true legacy epoxies are a must for aerospace composites, but usage is increasing with improved forms.

Pressure Vessels 11 Jul 2016

Huntsman, Acciona collaborate on all-composite lighthouse

The first-ever all-composite lighthouse is now installed at the port of Valencia in Spain.

Automotive 23 Jun 2016

Taking the hand out of hand layup

Hand layup has a long history in aerospace composites fabrication, but it's not well suited for automotive composites manufacturing, where volumes are much higher. But the discrete placement of fiber reinforcements still has value. Research is pointing toward automated hand layup that might help this process bridge the aerospace-to-automotive divide.

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Aerospace 16 May 2016

Composites recycling becomes a necessity

Boeing and Airbus each is generating as much as a 1 million lb of cured and uncured carbon fiber prepreg waste each year from 787 and A350 XWB production. If you include the entire supply chain for these planes, the total is closer to 4 million lb/year. And with the automotive industry poised to consume (and waste) more carbon fiber than ever, recycling of composite materials has become an absolute necessity. The technology is there, but the markets are not. Yet.