Out of Autoclave
Disruptive technologies power small composites aerostructure firms to market party
HPC guest columnist Bob Skillen draws from 25 years of experience in aircraft design and composite aircraft manufacturing in this commentary on the "why?" behind increasingly effective role played by small manufacturers in the composite aerostructures market.
Read MoreCheck Out the Competition: Visit the Awards Pavilion at CAMX
If you're headed to CAMX 2014, Oct. 13-16 in Orlando, Fla., be sure to check out the entries in the Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE) and the CAMX Awards — some of which are previewed here.
Read MoreAre LFRT composites key to auto adoption?
Long carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics don't pack the punch of continuous carbon fiber, but they might help spread use of composites in automotive.
Read MoreDisaster-resistant housing: Framing the future
This need in developing nations could be met by a composite structural framing system capable of producing both fortified dwellings and jobs.
Read MoreMass reduction for mass appeal: FRPs and CMCs in RVs
Composites save weight, speed assembly, improve aesthetics and diminish warranty service and promote sales.
Read MoreThe reality of carbon fiber for the auto industry today
Greg Rucks, a manager in the transportation practice at composites think tank Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI, Snowmass, Colo.), sees realistic pathways for carbon fiber incursion in to the automotive passenger car market.
Read MoreEvent pavilion: SMC panels ensure architectural authenticity
To expand its services, the High Bullen golf and spa hotel in Devonshire, U.K., converts a little-used tennis facility into a flexible meetings facility, and kept the remodeled structure within the local "heritage" code with simulated mortared stone-like composite panels from Acell Industries Ltd. (Dublin, Ireland).
Read MoreThe Odd Couple
CT editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan draws attention to the disappearing gap between the composites industry's once widely separated "aerospace-grade" and "industrial-grade" sectors.
Read MoreMini fiber-optic SHM system embedded into composites
Partners in the SMARTFIBER project have demonstrated continued and automatic structural health monitoring.
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