Sheet Molding Compound

Aerospace 31 Mar 2014

Move over steel — Aluminum is now the target

Dale Brosius, a consultant and president of Quickstep Composites (Dayton, Ohio), observes that chasing aluminum as a competitor is a much easier task than chasing steel — if the composites industry can meet cost and volume requirements.

Pressure Vessels 26 Mar 2014

Composites Industry Outlook: Positive

An exhibition like CAMX 2014, which draws together all aspects of the composites manufacturing industry, demands a comprehensive and thorough review of the health of the industry and where it’s headed.

Pressure Vessels 1 Mar 2014

It's time for the U.S. to invest in advanced composites manufacturing

Consultant and president of Quickstep Composites (Dayton, Ohio) Dale Brosius suggests that it’s time for an Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IMI), created under the proposed U.S. National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).

Sheet Molding Compound 3 Feb 2014

Meter/Mix/Dispense Machines: Balancing speed and control for auto CFRP

Suppliers of meter/mix/dispense (MMD) equipment are under pressure to keep pace with process innovations that are drastically reducing mold cycle times for carbon fiber/epoxy laminates in automotive applications.

Out of Autoclave 2 Feb 2014

Legacy applications: Inspiration for future vehicles?

Dale Brosius, a consultant and president of Quickstep Composites (Dayton, Ohio), looks back at past automotive composites applications for today's market opportunities.

Out of Autoclave 27 Jan 2014

At NAIAS, composites not difficult to find

With CAFE requirements steadily increasing each year, en route to 54.5 mpg by 2025, automakers of all stripes are working composites into new and concept cars.

Sheet Molding Compound 30 Nov 2013

Automotive, going forward?

CT editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan asks when, if and how composites professionals will be ready to meet the challenges of significant use of carbon fiber composites in automobiles.