AUTOCLAVE

Thermoplastics

The state of recycled carbon fiber

As the need for carbon fiber rises, can recycling fill the gap?

Scott Francis
Contributing Editor, CompositesWorld

Prepregs

PRF Composite Materials introduces RP570 FR eXpress cure prepreg system

Ultra-fast, fire-retardant formulation targets snap cure press molding of structural components.

Curing

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: SWORL

SWORL's lightweight spray fabricated reusable and sealing mechanisms are readily applicable for autoclave or infusion processes.

Mass Transit

Materials & Processes: Fabrication methods

There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.

Aerospace

Safran Nacelles Morocco installs large autoclave, doubles cleanroom per development plan to increase production rates

Extension of 6,000 square meters dedicated to Gulfstream G700/G800 production, groundwork laid to digitalize processes and reduce environmental footprint.

Curing

Saint-Gobain, Roctool join efforts to boost composite 3D textile preform parts manufacturing

3D automated knitted preform layup technology and heat and cooling technologies for additional curing efficiency open a new window of application opportunities for composite and thermoplastic parts.

Compression Molding

Out-of-autoclave VBO rear spar, thermoplastic ribs target Wing of Tomorrow

French Tier 1 aerospace supplier Daher develops out-of-autoclave materials and process technologies for application in next-gen structures for the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow program.

Molds/Tools

Materials & Processes: Tooling for composites

Composite parts are formed in molds, also known as tools. Tools can be made from virtually any material. The material type, shape and complexity depend upon the part and length of production run. Here's a short summary of the issues involved in electing and making tools.

Staff

Molds/Tools

CMS debuts hybrid LFAM/milling machine

The machining specialist has developed the first iteration of Kreator, a large-format, thermoplastic composite 3D printer and five-axis milling machine for tooling and jigs.

Epoxies

Design innovations improve efficiency of composite medical table

WIT-Composites' efforts to design a more effective all-composite surgical table led to development of complex components and an elastic carbon fiber material.

Carbon Fibers

NAWA Technologies develops U.S. subsidiary to extend VACNT application scope

NAWA America’s immediate focus is to bring NAWAStitch to mass market, a thin film containing trillions of VACNT arranged perpendicular to the carbon fiber layers to reinforce the weakest part of a composite.

Consumer

CompoTech launches standard range for carbon finer epoxy beams

Produced via AFP and precision press molded results in a high-strength carbon epoxy composite beam with 10-15% higher stiffness in the axial direction.

Aerospace

Kanfit installs new autoclave, automated cutter to increase composite parts production capacity

Composite parts producer in Israel increases capabilities for composites, 3D printing and hybrid assemblies.

Carbon Fibers

C-FREX exoskeleton depends on CFRP for unpowered movement

C-FREX uses a novel design and CFRP to overcome the heaviness and weakness of metallic exoskeletons.

Aerospace

Materials & Processes: Composites fibers and resins

Compared to legacy materials like steel, aluminum, iron and titanium, composites are still coming of age, and only just now are being better understood by design and manufacturing engineers. However, composites’ physical properties — combined with unbeatable light weight — make them undeniably attractive.

Jeff Sloan
Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld

Carbon Fibers

Recycled thermoplastic composite rotorcraft access panel takes flight

Designed as part of the TPC-Cycle program, the flight-tested panel demonstrates a lighter, cost-effective, sustainable thermoplastic composite application.

Cutting/Kitting

High-rate, automated aerospace RTM line delivers next-gen spoilers

At Spirit AeroSystem’s Prestwick facility in Scotland, a glimpse of the future of aerocomposites manufacturing in a resin transfer molding line for A320 spoilers.

Digital thread vs. digital twin

Visualizing the difference between digital representations and data flows and understanding the applications that are changing composites manufacturing and business models.

Defense

Plasan North America expands composite manufacturing solutions

The company plans to expand and invest in automated cutting technology to go with established prepregging, pultrusion and autoclave cure expertise.

Automotive

The untapped potential in Formula 1 composite manufacture

Formula 1’s midfield teams are struggling to bridge the gap to their better resourced frontrunning counterparts. Could Industry 4.0 composites manufacturing automation level the playing field?

Prepregs

Composites Evolution introduces Evopreg EPC200 epoxy prepreg

Evopreg EPC200 enables variable temperature cure with good surface finish.

Hi-Temp Resins

Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites

The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.

Staff

Processes

Glossary

Glossary of composites terms

Automotive

Fibreworks Composites launches sister firm Composite Factory

Composite Factory will be ISO AS9100-certified and offer build-to-print, quick-turn prototype and pre-production fabrication of composite parts and structures.

Wind/Energy

Ascent Aerospace invests in large-format AM machine

The LFAM machine will enable fabrication and delivery of production-ready fixtures and molds at significantly reduced lead-times.

Marine

Composites suppliers, fabricators respond to coronavirus

Companies across the composites industry supply chain share how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their businesses, and how they are available to help.

Epoxies

Revolutionizing the composites cost paradigm, Part 2: Forming

Boeing-led parts trials explore infusion, compression molding and thermoplastics, offering lessons and supply chain options to better compete with aluminum.

Prepregs

RAPM development with PtFS

Boeing-led program explores rapid part cycles using automated, 180-channel thermal control molding cell for infusion, thermoset prepreg and thermoplastic composites.

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