TESTING

Testing

RACER achieves “power on” test, prepares for 2023 maiden flights

Initial function checks were conducted at the Airbus Helicopter facility in Marignane, France, signaling the next step for the composite rotorcraft demonstrator and its highly collaborative teams.  

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

RACER achieves “power on” test, prepares for 2023 maiden flights
Rolls-Royce prepares UltraFan technology demonstrator for testing
Aerospace

Rolls-Royce prepares UltraFan technology demonstrator for testing

The UltraFan aeroengine, with a fan diameter of 140 inches, is designed with a suite of technologies to contribute to fuel efficiency for narrowbody and widebody aircraft.  
#aeroengines

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Aerospace

Stratolaunch completes first flight with Talon-A separation vehicle

Eighth flight for the composites-intensive Roc aircraft, and first captive carry flight with TA-0, validates aerodynamic predictions, continues to advance hypersonic flight.  

Testing

Concept Integrity eVTOL completes successful second test flight

Carbon fiber prototype, developed by partners Umiles Next and Tecnalia, took to the skies in its first free flight intended to determine its feasibility operating in urban environments.  

Testing

Anisoprint R&D team begins 3D printing center at Jacobs University Bremen

Established research environment to comprehensively upgrade CFC technology, explore new composites methods, formulations and designs.  

Shearographic inspection

Automating NDT for CFRP aerostructures

Robotic laser shearography enables 100% inspection of complex, flight-critical composite structures.
#space #airbus #workforcedevelopment

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Thermoplastics |

Top 10 CompositesWorld products of 2022

It was a big year for new products in the composites industry. Take a look at CompositesWorld’s top 10 most popular product pieces based on Google Analytics and check out what you might have missed. 

Cara Decknadel Digital Content Editor, Gardner Business Media, Inc.

Videos / Podcasts

Carbon fiber enables new, low-CO2 Skyrora orbital launch vehicle
Testing

Carbon fiber enables new, low-CO2 Skyrora orbital launch vehicle

U.K. private space company is developing and testing orbital launch vehicle Skyrora XL to carry small satellites in Earth’s orbit using eco-friendly fuel, a unified systems design and composites.  
#space

Evident wind blade inspection system automates nondestructive ultrasonic testing
Testing

Evident wind blade inspection system automates nondestructive ultrasonic testing

An autonomous, cobot-mounted inspection system combines Industry 4.0 with established ultrasonic technology to rapidly provide repeatable, accurate data and improve overall efficiency.
#ndi #automation #composites4_0

FEA of composite seat shell for SuCoHS demonstrator
Aerospace

SuCoHS project: Advancing composite solutions for parts with high thermal and mechanical loads

New materials, structural concepts and manufacturing using sensors for composites that resist fire, temperature and loads while providing weight and cost savings versus metals.
#sensors #trends

InfraCore develops composite helideck for 85-meter seagoing patrol vessel
Marine

InfraCore develops composite helideck for 85-meter seagoing patrol vessel

Nominated for the JEC Innovation Awards 2022, the FRP deck has undergone rigorous impact and hydrocarbon fire tests, proving that it is robust enough to resist a helicopter crash.

Researchers develop liquid crystal polymer spin-printing process for recyclable composites
Additive Manufacturing

Researchers develop liquid crystal polymer spin-printing process for recyclable composites

ETH Zürich, TU Delft and EMPA simultaneously 3D prints parts with spun fiber reinforcement for stronger, more sustainable, fully recyclable components.

Lockheed Martin prepares X-59 for quiet supersonic flight testing
Testing

Lockheed Martin prepares X-59 for quiet supersonic flight testing

Boom flight demonstration aircraft with composite control surfaces and wing skins to be shipped to Fort Worth, Texas, for additional ground testing.

Robotic computed tomography – removing NDT barriers for composites
Core

Robotic computed tomography – removing NDT barriers for composites

Radalytica uses collaborative robots, ultra-sensitive X-ray photon detectors and the ability to combine CT with ultrasound, surface profiling and other inspection methods to optimize composites part quality, production and reduce cost.
#ndi #nextgenaerospace #automation

Bcomp and KTM Technologies natural fiber brake disc cover
Carbon Fibers |

Thermoset-thermoplastic joining, natural fibers enable sustainability-focused brake cover

Award-winning motorcycle brake disc cover showcases potential for KTM Technologies’ Conexus joining technology and flax fiber composites.
#biomaterials #focusondesign

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Vertical Aerospace conducts successful airborne flight test
Testing

Vertical Aerospace conducts successful airborne flight test

British aerospace company celebrates “wheels up” for the first time in a new intensive test program phase, following its CAA permit to fly.  

UTA research builds predictive tool to determine failure risk, operating life of composites
Testing

UTA research builds predictive tool to determine failure risk, operating life of composites

UT Arlington, AFRL solution will use machine learning and computational tools to determine the life, durability and safety of composites used in aircraft manufacturing.  

Carbon fiber enables new, low-CO2 Skyrora orbital launch vehicle
Carbon Fibers

Carbon fiber enables new, low-CO2 Skyrora orbital launch vehicle

U.K. private space company is developing and testing orbital launch vehicle Skyrora XL to carry small satellites in Earth’s orbit using eco-friendly fuel, a unified systems design and composites.  
#space

Additive Manufacturing

AIM3D evaluates potential of composite extrusion modeling 3D printing test with PA6GF30

Glass fiber-reinforced polyamide 3D-printed test specimens proved higher tensile strength, cost effectiveness compared to injection molding and conventional 3D printing processes.  

Urban Air Mobility

VoloConnect four-seater aircraft takes first flight

Volocopter eVTOL prototype configuration makes first flight after only 17 months in the making, continues to target 2026 entry into service.

Core

Formula Electric Belgium's Titan race car features EconCore rPET honeycomb

Front wings and undertray comprise the honeycomb core material, the latter reducing wing weight by 26% compared to the previous year, and able to withstand forces 1,000 times its own weight.  

Avel Robotics uses AFP tow steering to produce CFRP foil components
Testing |

Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France

From AFP hydrofoils to more efficient aircraft parts, Avel uses digital design, multiprocess production and a rule-breaking approach for complex 4D composites.
#planttour

Ginger Gardiner Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

NEW PRODUCTS: TESTING

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Instron
Testing

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Instron

Featuring gaskets, a patent-pending airflow design, fortified frames, abrasion-resistant coating and more, Instron's 6800 Series systems are designed with composites and other complex materials testing in mind.
#camx

Evident wind blade inspection system automates nondestructive ultrasonic testing
Wind/Energy

Evident wind blade inspection system automates nondestructive ultrasonic testing

An autonomous, cobot-mounted inspection system combines Industry 4.0 with established ultrasonic technology to rapidly provide repeatable, accurate data and improve overall efficiency.
#ndi #automation #composites4_0

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Innerspec Technologies
Testing

CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Innerspec Technologies

Taurus and Camus 3D ultrasonic inspection systems provide automated and semi-automated solutions for composite aerospace components.
#ndi #camx

Instron introduces 3400 and 6800 Series universal testing systems
Testing

Instron introduces 3400 and 6800 Series universal testing systems

New high-force floor models range up to 300-kilonewton force capacity, with a host of new features covering user safety, comfort, repeatability and long-lasting service life.

Markforged launches aerospace-ready traceable composite materials
Carbon Fibers

Markforged launches aerospace-ready traceable composite materials

Onyx FR-A and Carbon Fiber FR-A materials meet FST requirements, come with traceability and adhere to specifications approved by the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP).

EmpowerAX strengthens accessibility to continuous fiber 3D printing
Testing

EmpowerAX strengthens accessibility to continuous fiber 3D printing

Platform joins technology users and providers to work on standards, tests and frameworks for faster, lower-cost evaluation and implementation of additive extrusion technologies for industrial parts.
#continuousfiberAM

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