Out of Autoclave

Wind/Energy 24 Feb 2017

In praise of technical service reps

Tech service representatives: without them, molding trials fail and manufacturing issues go unresolved.

Past, Present and Future 24 Feb 2017

Aerospace composites in “the more for less” era

The past decade was about innovation and new technology. The next will be about productivity.

Editorial 24 Feb 2017

Autocomposites and the myth of $5/lb carbon fiber

The $5/lb line in the sand comes with a similar challenge that, ultimately, will determine the fate of carbon fiber in automotive: Manufacturability.

Space 23 Feb 2017

NASA announces new commercial space market public-private partnerships

The agency is partnering with eight companies to accelerate the development of commercial capabilities to enable frequent launches of small spacecraft to low-Earth orbit.

Medical 20 Feb 2017

A tsunami of growth: An inside look at the CSP/Teijin merger

I had the opportunity to meet and interview the top executives of Continental Structural Plastics (CSP, Auburn Hills, MI, US) and Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) last week. The occasion was an open house and celebration of the acquisition of CSP by Teijin.

Wind/Energy 15 Feb 2017

Plant tour: Aeris Energy, Caucaia, Brazil

In Northeast Brazil, wind blade manufacturer Aeris Energy is laser-focused on serving the domestic energy market, but it's poised to expand to serve the entire world. In the process, it has developed operations and a workforce that makes it a standout in the region.

Composites Basics 14 Mar 2023

Compression molding: New materials and markets

From multifunctional aircraft interiors to compounds using continuous fabrics to the growing use of recycled carbon fiber – compression molding offers new opportunities.

Wind/Energy 9 Feb 2017

IACMI Winter Meeting: Mapping the road ahead

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) held its winter meeting in Denver Feb. 1-2, updating its membership on the public-private institute's efforts to accelerate composites design and manufacturing.

Wind/Energy 7 Feb 2017

Seriforge: A new paradigm for composite preforms

Silicon Valley startup aims to produce complex 3D carbon fiber preforms with z-axis reinforcement at mass production scale using automated processing lines.