Reinforcements
Braided preforms meet phase-change tooling
A program from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory adopts automated braiding and phase-change tooling for a complex geometry unmanned aircraft part.
Watch
Toray International UK, Astar sign agreement for CMSC supply in U.K.
The addition of carbon fiber sheet molding compound supply to the U.K. composite market will add further value to Toray customers.
Read More
Thermwood demonstrates novel 3D printing approach for large vessel molds
Thermwood 3D-printed and trimmed five-foot-tall sections that were then bound together and bolted to form a complete female mold. The entire mold section, made of four printed pieces, weighs 4,012 pounds and required 65.5 hours to print.
Read More
Sojitz invests in IsoTruss composite telecommunication infrastructure
The lattice telecommunication structure is equipped with the structural capabilities for bending and torsion and is corrosion-resistant, an advantage to coastal areas.
Read More
Episode 34: Carmelo Lo Faro, Solvay Composite Materials
Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay Composite Materials, talks about how he sees aerocomposites evolving in the time of COVID-19, the rise of computational power to evolve composites use, the prospects for increased composites use in the automotive market, and the increasing importance of education in the composites industry.
Listen
Hexcel third quarter financials reflect industry headwinds
Slowdown in commercial aerospace and the wind energy market has decreased Hexcel’s year-to-date sales by 32.6%. The company will close its wind energy glass fiber prepreg line in Windsor, Colo., U.S., in early November.
Read More
Natural fiber crash box design for motorsport
The natural fiber Front Impact Absorbing Structure (FIAS) prototype showed desired crash behavior and eradication of sharp splintering, proving it as an alternative to carbon fiber in motorsport applications.
Watch
Episode 33: Ethan Escowitz, Arris Composites
CW Talks checks in with Ethan Escowitz, co-founder and CEO of Arris Composites, to learn about the Additive Molding technology his company has developed.
Listen
Toray annual report anticipates subpar earnings until 2022
Although Toray’s carbon fiber and composite materials segment showed growth in fiscal 2019, pandemic-driven headwinds in fiscal 2020 are steering the company toward wind, UAM and energy-related markets.
Read More
Brightlands Materials Center advances continuous fiber 3D printing in Limberg Bike
Other composites innovations include recyclable CFRP connectors, interwoven Dynema/carbon fiber reinforcements and integrating damage sensors into the frame.
Watch
