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2010 SAMPE EUROPE/JEC.
The article evaluates several products exhibited at the JEC Composites Show held in Paris, France on April 13-15, 2010, which include mold scrapers from AeroConsultants AG, Beta Prepreg tooling preimpregnated material from Airtech International, and CATFiber programming software from Cariolis Composites SAS.
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2010 SEATTLE PREVIEW.
The article offers information on the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering's 2010 Spring Conference and Exhibition to be held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington, on May 17-20, 2010.
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ADDITIONAL GRIP TYPES FOR TENSILE TEST SPECIMENS.
The article discusses the types of tensile specimen grips. One example is the split-collet type, designed for testing structural foam and similar low-strength materials. The other type is line grips, wherein spring-loaded cylindrical cams wedge the ends of the flat specimen against flat surfaces which can be roughened or particle-coated. Meanwhile, capstan grips have been used for a long time to tensile test flat tapes, rope, cable, cordage and similar linear material forms.
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ADVANCED COMPOSITE CARGO AIRCRAFT PROVES LARGE STRUCTURE PRACTICALITY.
The article details the development of the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA). In 2006, then U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynn instructed the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to provide a recommendation on the feasibility of constructing a complete military aircraft demonstrator with composite materials. Out of the nine proposals submitted, the proposal given by aerospace technology company Lockheed Martin was finally selected. The project showed the impact that composites technology can have on aircraft development.
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Aerospace-grade COMPRESSION MOLDING.
The article focuses on the use of continuous compression molding (CCM) to create lightweight commercial aircraft. CCM is an automated, semicontinuous manufacturing process that has the capacity to take reinforced thermoformable in put and produce highly shaped profiles or flat panels of unlimited length. CCM was developed and patented by Advanced Composites and Machines (ACM) founder Ulrich Spelz in the early 1990s.
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Airbus A400M military transport program airborne.
The article reports on the successful maiden flight of the first Airbus Military A400M military airliner. Test pilots Edward Strongman and Ignacio Lomdo, guided the aircraft as it landed in Seville, Spain on December 11, 2009 at 2:02 local time after completing nearly four hours of flight. The aircraft, made of 30 percent composite by weight, was plagued with delays in 2008 and early 2009. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus Military states that it is committed in delivering the aircraft three years after its first flight.
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Airbus produces first A350 wingbox panel, awards contract to ATK.
The article announces that Toulouse, France aerospace technology company Airbus has produced its first composite panel for the A350 XWB center wingbox (CWB) at its Nantes, France facility. The panel reinforced with carbon fiber, is the largest "monobloc" composite manufactured in the said plant. It also announces that Alliant Techsystems (ATK) was selected by Airbus and its partners to produce composite structures and tooling for the A350 XWB aircraft.
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All-composite HMMWV prototype passes off-road performance tests.
The article reports on the completion of the accelerated durability testing and road testing for TPI Composites Incorporated's All Composite Military Vehicle (ACMV) prototype built on the U.S. military's existing High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) platform.
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APPLICATIONS.
The article previews InfuZene, a high-temperature, solvent-based spray adhesive tailored for infusion, from Westech Aerosol.
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APPLICATIONS.
The article offers information on the combination metal-matrix composite (MMC)/aluminum brake drum developed by Traverse City, Michigan-based Century Inc. as part of its work with the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center. It describes how the Light-weighting Technology, which combines an MMC brake wear surface inside a cast-aluminum drum brake body, was developed using several software programs such as Pro/Engineer Wildfire 3.0 from Parametric Technology and Ansys finite element analysis software from Ansys Inc.
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BIZ BRIEF.
This section offers carbon fiber composites industry news briefs. HITCO Carbon Composites signed a long-term agreement with Spirit Aero-Systems on December 1, 2009 to supply carbon giver reinforced composite beam components for the 787 Dreamliner aircraft from The Boeing Co. Under the agreement, HITCO will supply the passenger floor beams and cargo header beams.
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BIZ BRIEFS.
This section offers news briefs on the U.S. composite materials industry as of May 2010. A manufacturing license agreement has been signed by Quickstep Holdings Ltd. on March 18, 2010 with Northrop Grumman, a subcontractor to team lead Lockheed Martin in designing and manufacturing the center fuselage for the F-35 Lighting II fighter aircraft. Additional capacity has been added by Oxeon AB to its facility in Borås, Sweden, while flexible materials specialist Web Industries has started its expansion of its operation in Atlanta, Georgia.
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BIZ BRIEFS.
The article offers news briefs on the high-performance composites industry. An agreement between high-performance technical textiles source METYX Composites and resin manufacturer/distributor Scott Bader involves Bader being the exclusive distributor of METYX products in France. Under a new contract, Novator will supply its Portable M-Series orbital drilling machines to Airbus' Saint Eloi, France facility. Waterjet manufacturers Tecnocut SpA and Jet Edge Inc. announced their strategic partnership on February 8, 2010.
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Boeing 787 completes initial airworthiness trials.
The article reports on the completion of the initial airworthiness testing in December 2009 of the Boeing 272 Dreamliner test aircraft.
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Boeing 787 composite wings/fuselage pass tests critical to certification.
The article reports on Boeing Company's announcement on April 7, 2010 that all test requirements were successfully met during ultimate load wing and fuselage bending tests conducted on the 787 Dreamliner's static test airframe on March 28, 2010.
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Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes flawless first flight.
The article announces that the first large commercial aircraft built with all-composite wings and fuselage, the 787 Dreamliner, from Boeing Co., has finally lifted off on its maiden flight on December 15, 2009. The maiden flight was originally scheduled in August 2007, with the first delivery scheduled for May 2009, but was delayed due to difficulties in the aircraft's development. Test pilots Michael Carriker and Randy Neville piloted the ZA001 Dreamliner from Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington to Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington.
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CALENDAR.
A calendar of events for the carbon fiber manufacturing industry is presented which includes the Composite-Expo 2010, the "SpeedNews" Commercial Aviation Industry Conference, and the CompositesWorld Investment Forum 2010.
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CALENDAR.
A calendar of events for the composites industry from July 2010 to March 2011 is presented which includes the Farnborough International Airshow in Great Britain on July 19-24, 2010, the International Symposium on Composites Manufacturing in the Netherlands in October 2010 and JEC Composites Show in France on March 29-31, 2011.
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CALENDAR.
A calendar of events for the composite materials industry from May 2010 until October 2010 is presented which includes the 4th International CFK-Valley Stade Convention in Stade, Germany, the China International Composites Expo 2010 in Beijing, China, and the American Society for Composites Technical Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
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CALENDAR.
A calendar of events for the composites industry from March through October 2010 is presented including CompositesWorld Investment Forum 2010, WINDPOWER 2010 Conference and Exhibition, and The European Wind Energy Conference for 2010.
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Canadian firm tests multiple fiber placement head technology.
The article focuses on the prototype multihead automated fiber placement head (FPH) system launched by Isogrid Composites Canada Inc. (ICCI) designed to manufacture carbon composite isogrid panels. As of March 2010, the prototype is undergoing testing at the National Research Council Canada with the goal of economical production of isogrid-design composite panels. As a cost effective measure, ICCI developed its FPH process to reduce manufacturing time for large panels and shapes from several days to a matter of hours.
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Carbon fiber market: Key suppliers offer post-recession predictions.
The article discusses the annual reports released by composite materials suppliers Hexcel, Cytec Engineered Materials Inc., and Gurit in January 2010. The fourth quarter 2009 results of Cytec revealed the impact of the company's efforts to reduce cost and improve cash flow, as sales declined during the quarter due to lower build rates in the business- and regional-jet markets. Gurit reported a decline in wind energy sales, transportation and marine sales in 2009. Hexcel's report forecasted a strong demand for renewable energy.
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CARBON FIBER RECLAMATION: GOING COMMERCIAL.
Carbon Fiber Recycling: Ongoing Research
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Carbon fiber reinforced polyamide performs in engine part.
The article describes how carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide compounds from Solid Concepts, Inc. was utilized by engineering school Ècole Polytechnique de Montréal for the development of a race car that they will enter in the 2010 Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) competition. The glass-filled Nylon 12 GF polyamide compound was used for most of the engine parts, while the Nytek 1200 CF compound was used for the engine intake runner between the intake manifold and the engine. Details of the fabrication are elaborated.
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CARBON FIBER: UP!
The article discusses the presentation of Chris Red, vice president and editor at Composite Market Reports, and Tony Roberts, principal of AJR Consultant LLC during the Carbon Fiber 2009 conference held on December 9-11, 2009 in San Diego, California. The presentation focused on carbon fiber supply and demand during the recession. They estimate that small-tow nameplate capacity will grow to 66,750 metric tonnes by 2014. Roberts forecasts 35,000 metric tonnes for wind blades annually. Both of them stated a promising future for the wind energy market.
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Carbon/glass hybrid wins place on monohull for famed race.
The article focuses on the partnership of SP-High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, boatbuilder Archambault, yacht architect Joubert Nivelt Mercier Design, and composite rudder manufacturer Isotop to create a boat that would withstand 10 years of racing. The design of Archambault for the M34 won for the annual Tour de France à la Voile yachting race in 2010. The proposed materials of SP-High Modulus include Gurit's Corecell M-Foam core and a multiaxial carbon/E-glass hybrid fabric.
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CF 2009: Comment on key end-markets.
The article discusses the highlights of the Carbon Fiber (CF) 2009 conference. Keynote speaker Jens Hinrichsen evaluated factors likely to influence materials selection for aircraft that will replace the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 families. Industry consultant Malcolm Rosenow focused on the potential demand for CF in the natural gas vehicle (NGV) market. In the presentation of Spencer Composites Corp. founder Brian Spencer, he focused on the disparity between actual and potential use of CF in offshore oil and gas applications.
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CNTs RIDE A RISING TIDE OF NANOTECH OPTIMISM.
The article discusses the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) market amidst the high global visibility of nanotechnology. CNTs are tubular structures formed from carbon atoms bonded together in a honeycomb lattice that resembles chicken wire and come in two forms, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In Japan, Professor Morinubo Endo of Shinshu University championed the use of CNT in lithium-ion batteries.
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CompositesWorld launches High-Performance Resins Conference.
The article offers information on CompositesWorld's High-Performance Resins 2010 conference to be held on September 23-24, 2010 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois.
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Contract for composite submarine components let to Goodrich.
The article reports on the contract awarded to Goodrich Corp. by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding on January 5, 2010 to provide several composite components for the next eight Virginia-class fast-attack nuclear submarines.
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CORRECTION.
A correction to the article "Machining Carbon Composites: Risky Business" that was published in the May 2010 issue is presented.
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CORRECTION.
A correction to the cover of the November 2009 issue is presented.
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COST-EFFECTIVE CARBON COMPOSITE REFLECTOR DISH.
The article describes how Beaufort Composite Technologies (BCT) was able to fabricate compact-range reflector (CR) dishes of a given focal length in different sizes using carbon-fiber composites without resort to one-off tools using a modular construction method designed by BCT President Phil Herting. It discusses how the CR design was achieved by acquiring focal length and size specifications from its customer and developing surface geometry. It discusses the carbon-fiber reinforced polymer construction and quality control measures developed by BCT.
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Cytec to supply composite materials for Bombardier jet programs.
The article reports on the contract awarded to Cytec Industries for its Engineered Materials division to supply carbon fiber composite materials for major primary structures on Bombardier's CSeries and Learjet 85 aircraft programs.
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DIGITAL DESIGN, RTM UPDATE AIRCRAFT PROPELLER.
The article describes the design of Hartzell Propeller's Advanced Structural Composite (ASC) II three-blade propeller. The ASC-II is Hartzell's second-generation blade design that uses the resin transfer molding process and combines carbon- and aramid-fiber reinforcements. The three-blade propeller has been certified for the Piper Matrix, the Cirrus SR-22 and other general aviation planes.
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Dubai Airshow reflects rebound in aerospace market.
The article discusses the highlights of the Dubai Airshow held on November 15-19, 2009 in the Emirate of Dubai. It cites that 52,978 aircraft industry professionals from 138 countries participated in the event and featured 890 companies from 47 countries in the exhibition. Aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEM) also reported an onsite order book in excess of 14 billion U.S. dollars which include sales of civil and military aircraft, helicopters and engines as well as agreements for maintenance, cabin refurbishment and crew management processes.
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EAA AIRVENTURE 2009: THE THEME WAS BIG.
The article reviews a selection of composite aircraft featured at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Air-Venture Convention held on July 27 through August 2, 2009 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One of the featured aircraft is the White-KnightTwo (WK2) from Mojave, California-based Scaled Composite. The company claims that it is the world's largest all-composite aircraft. Another aircraft is the E-430 electric motorglider from Yuneec International, which has a lightweight all-composite airframe and uses lithium polymer battery packs.
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F-35 Lightning II: Flight operations expands, Australian contracts in works.
The article reports that the first optimized conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft from aerospace technology company Lockheed Martin made its first inaugural flight on November 14, 2009. The aircraft is the fourth F-35 to begin flight operations and joins two F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variants currently in flight testing. It is also the first F-35 variant to roll of Lockheed Martin's moving assembly line, a first ever for a modern fighter. Other related news on aircraft development are also discussed.
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F-35 Update: Carrier variant flies, suppliers ramping up.
The article reports on the inaugural flight of the U.S. Navy's aircraft-carrier version of the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C Lightning II. The plane took off from the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base in Texas on June 7, 2010 and logged a 57-minute flight. It also mentions Janicki Industries' plan to establish a facility in Utah to support the F-35 program.
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FROM THE EDITOR.
The article explores economic analyst Nassim Nicholas Taleb's Black Swan theory and extends it to the composites industry. According to Taleb, human history has been positively and negatively affected by the occurrence of relatively rare and unforeseen events. If such theory is applied to the composites sector, the author ponders whether the industry can anticipate the risks of disaster and the introduction of technological innovation.
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FROM THE EDITOR.
The article discusses the economic impact of the global recession on the composites industry. At the Composites 2010 trade show held on February 9-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ray MacNeil, owner of Ray MacNeil Composites Consulting, shared that the composites market contracted 28 percent in 2009 and reminded attendees that 2009 was one of the worst years in the economic history of the U.S. The author predicts a real and sustained recovery for 2010 after the Great Recession.
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FROM THE EDITOR.
The author comments on the implications of the outcome of the 2010 JEC Composites Show for the economic condition of the composites industry. He comments on the presence of the SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, a new company whose decision to site a carbon fiber production plant in Moses Lake, Washington, has set the groundwork for a vertical supply chain that will supply fiber for the all-electric Megacity urban commuter car of BMW. He also discusses the implications of the debut of Megacity before 2015 for the composite materials and processes sector.
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FROM THE EDITOR.
The author comments on the data regarding carbon fiber manufacturing at the CompositesWorld's Carbon Fiber 2009 Conference and asserts the need to establish a new carbon fiber association. He cites figures presented by Chris Red and Tony Roberts, which he noted to have disparities and disagreement but are remarkably close. He argues that due to the growing demand for carbon fiber particularly by original equipment manufacturers (OEM), there is a need for an organization that can legally enable carbon fiber producers to share capacity data.
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FUSELAGE SKINS REDESIGN.
The article elaborates on the redesigning of the fuselage skins of the all-composite-airframed Cirrus SR22 aircraft from Cirrus Aircraft. The company was able to push through its redesign decisions due to robust sales of the Cirrus SR22. From the initial Cirrus fuselages produced in two halves, left and right, via wet layup, the second generation fuselage featured a new layup designed with the core inserts tapered down to solid laminate around openings in the fuselage parts. The redesign resulted to better parts at an optimized cost.
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"Fuzzy fiber" nanomaterial may revolutionize composite parts.
The article reports on the presentation of an Ohio Third Frontier fund to the University of Dayton Research to finance the scale-up and production of a carbon nanomaterial that will allow composites to multitask.
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General aviation: GAMA cites signs that airframers will rebound from down cycle.
The article discusses the market trends in U.S. general aviation indicating that airframers will rebound from down cycle, according to General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) board chairman Rob Wilson at the GAMA Annual Industry Review and Market Outlook Briefing held on February 6, 2010 in Washington, D.C. The aviation industry's 2009 billings declined but Wilson pointed out signs that indicate the crisis has passed, including the declining inventories of used aircraft and increase in flying hours and inquiries about new orders.
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HIGH-PERFORMANCE FIBERS 2009 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS.
The article discusses the highlights of the High-Performance Fibers 2009 Conference held at the Doubletree Guest Suites Charleston-Historic District hotel in Charleston, South Carolina on November 17-18, 2009. The event opened with a preconference seminar by Doctor Bhunevesh Goswami. An introduction from co-chairs Dana Granville and Scott Northrup opened the conference. Keynote speakers include David Fecko, Doctor Patrick Hook, and Tom Campbell.
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Huge new pressure vessel passes tests.
The article evaluates the massive composite TITAN tank and International Standard Office (ISO) frame transport system for natural gas transport from Lincoln Composites Inc.
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JEC COMPOSITES SHOW.
The article discusses the highlights of the 2010 JEC Composites Show held on April 13-15, 2010 in Paris, France. Details of the site for a carbon fiber manufacturing plant secured by SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers LLC, a joint venture between carbon fiber manufacturer SGL Group and automaker BMW Group, were discussed. A press conference on a revolutionary thermoplastic composite vertical tail for the Gulfstream 650 aircraft has been held while nickle vapor deposition metal erosion strips have been exhibited by Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc.
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MACHINING CARBON COMPOSITES: RISKY BUSINESS.
Machining for repair
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MARKET TRENDS.
The article presents forecasts on the market trends in the U.S. composites industry as of May 2010. The author comments on the issues tackled at the CompositesWorld Investment Forum held in San Diego, California in March 2010 including market research and industry forecasts, the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape, and the role private equity will play in the composites sector. The author predicts a healthy M&A activity in the advanced materials space and points out the need to consolidate in the industry to see continued growth.
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McLaren sports car debuts with carbon composite chassis.
The article announces the launch of British car company McLaren Automotive's MP4-12C, a high-performance sports car that features the Carbon MonoCell, a one-piece carbon fiber chassis.
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NEW BRIEFS.
This section offers news briefs on the composites industry in the U.S., including Park Aerospace Structures Corp.'s winning of a supplier award from Northrop Grumman Corp. in 2009, Applied NanoStructured Solutions LLC and Owens Corning's signing of a joint development agreement, and Kemrock Industries & Exports Ltd.'s opening of a carbon fiber manufacturing facility.
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New European prepreg plant opens.
The article reports on the opening of the European prepreg plant of Fenopreg, a division of fenotec Gesellschaft für Industrieerzeugnisse mbH, in Beelitz, Germany on December 9, 2009.
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New North American carbon fiber plant may end up in Washington State.
The article reports on the speculation that the carbon fiber plant of the joint venture of SGL Group and automobile manufacturer BMW Group will be built in or near Moses Lake in Grant County, Washington.
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NEW PRODUCTS.
The article evaluates several equipment and machinery including the laser cutting system for composite fabrics from Eastman Machine Company, Acoustocam i600 handheld ultrasound imaging camera from Imperium Inc., and the M75 machining center from Datron Dynamics Inc.
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NEW PRODUCTS.
The article evaluates several machining tools and equipment and composite materials including the U5-3000 Universal Machining Center large-platform system from MAG Industrial Automation Systems, the Gold Series infrared temperature sensors from Williamson Corp., and the iPLUS polymer matrix composites inspection system from iPhoton Solutions LLC.
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NEW PRODUCTS.
The article evaluates several carbon fiber composite products including the Interactive Drape interactive software tool from Interactive Prototyping, the CB1100 ceramic tooling block from Advanced Composites Groupt Ltd., and the Hysol PL 700 out-of-autoclave (OOA) epoxy film adhesive for aerospace applications from Henkel Corporation Aerospace.
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New R&D consortium puts Canadian composites front and center.
The article reports on Boeing Co.'s launch of a research and development consortium with Canadian industry partners. designed to strengthen the competitive position of Canada in the manufacturing of advanced composite materials for aerospace and other industries.
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NEW TWIST IN CYCLING: A TRUSS BIKERS CAN TRUST.
The article focuses on the IsoTruss trademarked open-tube concept for bike-frame tubes featuring two-dimensional isogrid structures. IsoTruss structures feature repeating triangles arranged in a radial or tube-like configuration. In such configuration, the triangles form a truss of pyramids that show multiple radial symmetries. Brigham Young University (BYU) licensed IsoTruss technology to Advanced Composite Solutions for IsoTruss bicycle frames. The biggest challenge in designing and building a bicycle is discussed.
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Obama relents on Orion and commits to new heavy-lift launch vehicle.
The article reports on U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to grant U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Orion, a vehicle that could ferry astronauts to the International Space Station, a partial reprieve proposing that Littleton, Colorado-based Lockheed Martin continue its development for use as an emergency escape vehicle in place of the Russian Soyuz capsule. Industry observers considered NASA's Orion dead when Obama proposed to cut the Constellation program from the 2011 federal budget.
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ORION RE-ENTRY SYSTEM: COMPOSITES DISPLACE METAL.
The article offers information on the design and production of the capsule heat shield used in Orion, a replacement for the Space Shuttle built by a team headed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems as part of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Constellation program. The design was created using several software including the Pro/Engineer 3D computer-aided design from Parametric Technology Corp. TenCate Advanced Composites USA worked with the team to convert a pre-peg system for out-of-autoclave processing.
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PEOPLE BRIEFS.
The article announces that Bruce Boes was appointed vice-president of management and marketing at Waltham, Massachusetts-based Vistagy Inc. on June 3, 2010.
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PEOPLE BRIEFS.
The article announces that High Modulus chief executive officer Paul Goddard will oversee the Asia/Pacific market for Swiss composite material producer Gurit, while High Modulus co-owner Richard Downs-Honey will develop the High Modulus B3 SmartPac business, and Gurit General Manager Marine Graham Harvey will be at the helm of the combined SP/High Modulus marine business.
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PEOPLE BRIEFS.
The article announces the appointment of Mike Buck as president of Lewcott Corp., a prepegging subsidiary of BarrDay Inc.
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Proposed 2011 NASA budget cuts Moon/Mars program, favors commercial orbital scheme.
The article discusses the possibility of the elimination of the Constellation manned space exploration program, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) planned replacement for its Space Shuttle fleet, should the 2011 budget of U.S. President Barack Obama be approved by the U.S. Congress. The Constellation features a capsule-based vehicle, Orion, with the goal of renewed human moon exploration. The budget request aims to provide funds for maintaining the existing international Space Station (ISS) until 2020.
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RTM SHOWCASE: ONE-PIECE RUDDER.
The article provides information on the critical one-piece composite rudder of the super-mid-size Gulfstream G250 business jet from jet aircraft producer Gulfstream Aerospace and Israel Aerospace Industries. The G250 was developed to answer customer requests for a business jet with longer range, increased speed and a larger cabin, without increasing the hangar requirements. The rudder was co-developed and currently produced by composite manufacturer North Coast Composites. The design and manufacturing process of the rudder are elaborated.
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SAMPE 2010 SEATTLE SHOWCASE.
The article evaluates several products presented at the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering's (SAMPE) Spring Conference and Exhibition held in Seattle, Washington from May 17 to 20, 2010, including the infusion epoxy for room-temperature cure from Cornerstone Research Group Inc., the Benzoxazine 99110 resins from Henkel Corp. and the modular fiber placement machine from Electroimpact Inc.
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SGL/EADS to develop braided fuselage frame concept for A350 XWB.
The article focuses on the joint venture formed between SGL Group subsidiary SGL Kuempers and EADS-Innovation Works (IW) to develop Braided Frames (BRAF) technology for the continuous manufacture of circular composite fuselage frames for the Airbus A350 XWB wide-body passenger plane.
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SHARED COMPOSITE MATERIAL PROPERTY DATABASES.
The article highlights the efforts of the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) to establish a database for centralized composite material properties. It reports on NCAMP's completion of several qualification and equivalency programs in partnership with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. In late 2009, NCAMP announced that it had chose Cytec's 5320-1 and 5276-1 preimpregnated systems for its material qualification program.
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SHEAR TEST METHODS: IOSIPESCU vs. V-NOTCHED RAIL.
The article presents a comparison of the Iosipescu Shear and the V-Notched Rail Shear test methods. Both are American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, namely ASTM D 5379 and D 7078, primarily used for in-plane shear testing. Each of the testing methods can also be used for interlaminar shear testing. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are elaborated. The author concludes that by combining the two loadings of each method, a new test fixture design is achieved, resulting in a Combined Loading Shear (CLA) test method.
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Solar-powered composite plane makes maiden flight.
The article reports on Solar Impulse, the brainchild of adventurer Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, chief executive officer and project co-founder, which took flight on April 7, 2010 at the Payerne airfield in Switzerland after several years of research and development.
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SPEAKING OUT.
An excerpt from the author's keynote address at the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Europe gathering held in Paris, France on April 12, 2010 about the need for businesses to adapt, automated manufacturing and technological innovations in the composites industry is presented.
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Sports cat-makers select carbon fiber suppliers for key parts.
The article reports that automobile manufacturers Toyota Motors and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) have selected carbon fiber suppliers for key parts of sports cars they are developing. Toyota Motors will be adopting carbon-reinforced polymer (CFRP) components made with fiber from Tokyo-based Toho Tenax for the cabin and various components of the Lexus LFA sports car. On the other hand, BMW has selected trademarked HexForce NC3 reinforcements from Hexcel for the inner structural layers of the carbon-fiber roof of its M-series cars.
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Supersonic scramjet flies successfully.
The article reports on the X-51A WaveRider's completion of the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered flight on May 26, 2010. The X-51A is an unmanned aerial vehicle built by the Boeing Co. and powered by the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne supersonic combustion ramjet motor. The X-51A transmitted telemetry data to ground stations and plunged into the Pacific Ocean as planned.
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TEC completes onsite autoclave build at Spirit Tulsa.
The article reports on the completion of an aerospace-quality autoclave system by Therma Equipment Corp. (TEC) for aircraft manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems.
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TESTING TECH.
The article provides information on test methods used to determine the block shear strength of adhesive bonds. It discusses the two alternate shear-loading methods and accompanying text fixtures governed by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, namely, the ASTM D 905, which specifies a specimen that comprises two blocks identical in size, and the ASTM D 4501, which was originally developed for the adhesive bonding of plastics. The considerations and advantages of using the methods are also discussed.
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TESTING TECH.
The article focuses on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Guide D 4762 for testing polymer matrix composite materials. It lists ASTM standards that are relevant to the testing of polymer-matrix composites. Tables that define what properties are governed by each of the standard and a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each test method are also presented.
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THE KEY TO CNTs: FUNCTIONALIZATION.
The article discusses the current state of carbon nanotubes (CNT) manufacturing, how they are being integrated into fiber/resin systems, and future of CNT-enhanced composite products. A basic description of CNT and an elaboration on several CNT suppliers and manufacturers are presented. The advantages presented by CNT for composite parts and structures and their applications are elaborated.
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Third Gulfstream G650 joins test fleet in quest of type certification in 2011.
The article reports that a third aircraft has joined Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.'s G650 flight-test program. The plane is the first to be equipped with the advanced avionics system of the G650. It notes that innovative composite design and materials have been incorporated into the G650's rudder and elevators. It also highlights the key features and advantages offered by the G650 business jet.
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Two new studies for the composites market.
The article highlights the results of two studies for the composites industry, namely, "Worldwide Prepreg Competitive Analysis and Leadership Study 2009," which discusses the growth of the pre-impregnated composite fiber market, and "The Worldwide Composites Industry: Structure, Trends and Innovation," which shows that volume of production for composites is related the gross national product of any given country.
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U.S. Marines test unmanned cargo-ferrying copters.
The article reports on composite-airframed unmanned aerial vehicles tested by Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory's Immediate Cargo Unmanned Aircraft System project team, namely, the Kaman Aerospace K-MAX Burro and The Boeing Company's A160T Hummingbird.
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USA wins America's Cup with "wing sail" built on Janicki tools.
The article reports on the victory of USA yachting team, whose wing sail was built on Janicki Industries' tools, at the 33rd edition of the America's Cup yachting competition in 2010, fielded by the BMW ORACLE Racing team.
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Virgin Galactic rolls out SpaceShip Two at Majave Space Port.
The article announces the unveiling of the carbon fiber composite-intensive space craft SpaceShipTwo (SS2) to the public. Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne space craft designer Burt Rutan led the unveiling of the SS2 at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California. The SS2 is designed to take paying customers or private astronauts into space. Virgin Galactic plans to begin the service of the SS2 as early as 2011 and will eventually have a fleet of five SS2 space crafts.
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Vought Aircraft Industries takeover initiated by Triumph Group.
The article reports on a definitive agreement signed by Wayne, Pennsylvania-based Triumph Group Inc. to purchase Dallas, Texas-based Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. from The Carlyle Group, based in Washington, D.C., for cash and stock consideration of 1.44 billion dollars, which includes the retirement of Vought debt.
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WICHITA WELCOMES SAMPE TECH.
The article discusses the highlights of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering's (SAMPE) 2009 Fall Technical Conference & Exhibition held at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas in late October 2009. Keynote speakers include John Pilla, who spoke about global materials technology, and Persis Elwood, on impact of globalization to the defense industry. It also featured a number of panel discussion and exhibitors which included Magnolia Plastics, Inc., Performance Polymer Solutions Inc. and Matrix Composites Inc.
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