Materials

Infrastructure 11 Oct 2017

The big blue bear: Redux

It’s been 12 years since I wrote “Composite Sculpture Bears a Second Look” about the big blue bear sculpture in downtown Denver, CO, US. The project opened my eyes to digital design, and gave me the opportunity to meet the sculptor, Lawrence Argent. Argent passed away last week.

Thermoplastics 9 Oct 2017

IACMI officially opens new innovation facility in Detroit

Two years in the works, the IACMI Vehicles Scale-Up Facility offers the automotive industry a composite materials and manufacturing development innovation center.

Design/Simulation 2 Oct 2017

Automated Preforming, Part 5: Holistic Quality Optimization

Simulation and testing key to integrated approach for optimization of automated preforming, offering time and cost savings as well as basis for automated quality inspection.

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Braiding 2 Oct 2017

Porsche and the braided carbon fiber wheel

For just €15,232, you can get a set of four braided carbon fiber wheels on your 2018 Porsche 911 S. This will be the first time a carmaker has offered braided carbon fiber in such an application.

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Infrastructure 29 Sep 2017

Rail line landmark restoration via pultrusion

Composites’ corrosion resistance ensures preservation.

RTM 29 Sep 2017

Rotomolded cores: New options for sandwich composites

Permanent or removable, these hollow thermoplastic cores broaden industry offerings.

Aerospace 28 Sep 2017

Graphene and CNTs: Commercialization after the hype

Graphene and CNT applications within the advanced composites sector are still at a relatively early stage of the commercialization process, but as the availability of materials or dispersions of consistent quality has increased, a number of composite materials and components are starting to incorporate these nanomaterials.

Additive Manufacturing 27 Sep 2017

High-speed 3D printing with fiber reinforcement

Italy-based CMS has partnered with Fraunhofer IWU to develop a high-speed, extrusion-based process for the 3D printing of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic parts. Video included.

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