Processes

Cutting/Kitting

Automated preforming: Intelligent automation in pick-and-place systems

Layups go industrial with hand-like grippers that can fold fabric or prepreg into corners and robot-mounted cameras that inspect from fabric to cut plies to fiber gaps in final preforms.

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Carbon Fibers

First all-electric production yacht features carbon fiber construction

Leader in luxury yacht innovation commits to fossil fuel-less future

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IACMI

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.

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Bonding

bigHead, Cranfield University discuss Knowledge Transfer Partnership

bigHead Bonding Fasteners and Cranfield University have formed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) focused on new joining technologies for composite materials.

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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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Glass Fibers

Rail line landmark restoration via pultrusion

Composites’ corrosion resistance ensures preservation.  

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Braiding

Rotomolded cores: New options for sandwich composites

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

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Out of Autoclave

Pressure sensors for high volume RTM molding

A new Work in Progress article examines the use of in-mold pressure sensors to control mold filling in high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM). 

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RTM

Fraunhofer ICT in-mold pressure sensors for HP-RTM

Pressure sensor-based mold fill expected to maximize part consistency and minimize cycle time for auto industry molders.

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Carbon Fibers

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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Kent Pultrusion
Wabash
U.S. Polychemical Acrastrip
ELFOAM rigid foam products
Toray Advanced Composites hi-temperature materials
HEATCON Composite Systems
Release agents and process chemical specialties
IRIS Ai-enabled Camera
Airtech International Inc.