CW Blog
Resins for the Fast Zone
An automotive supplier must have the ability to produce a composite part in a minute, or at least in minutes — not hours or days, the norm for composites in most other industries. Meeting that part-per-minutes goal is a huge hurdle that a few composite fabricators have cleared, and many more are involved in development efforts, with OEM or Tier partners. ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ reviews how resin suppliers have evolved their products for this critical market.
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Automation and rapid processing dominate at JEC Americas
Highlights include Fiber Patch Preforming, automated potting and insert equipment and processes delivering composite parts in minutes.
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Concrete composite that heals itself
The concept of self-healing materials isn’t new, however, there’s been a renewed interest in the technology due to the maintenance needs of deteriorating infrastructures.
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New target of carbon emissions standards: Heavy-duty trucks
New proposed emissions standards in the US are designed to cut carbon pollution from heavy-duty trucks and could expand the transportation lightweighting segment of the composites industry.
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Carbon in the cloud(s)
Carbon is the norm, and even a necessity, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race event, held June 28.
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A growing trend: 3D printing of aerospace tooling
Toolmakers and OEMs are embracing additive manufacturing for customized, rapid tools, masters and jigs.
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Optimum unidirectional compression testing of composites
Dr. Daniel O. Adams, a professor of mechanical engineering, the director of the Composite Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Utah, and VP of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT, US) discusses the complex relationship between composite tensile and compressive properties, why that makes it necessary to perform both tension and compression testing, and how best to perform the latter.
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Workforce development: Let's start in high school
CW Editor-in-Chief Jeff Sloan says one concern at the otherwise positive initial membership meeting of the new Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) was that the composites industry is quickly losing knowledge, as old-timers retire, that is not so easily replaced. Here's his prescription.
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Composite engine piston cylinder housings
Phenolic BMC could replace aluminum in car/motorcycle engine housings.
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Thermosets vs. thermoplastics: Is the battle over?
Dale Brosius, the chief commercialization officer for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and a regular CW columnist, sees a shift in the industry from infighting between proponents of thermoset and thermoplastic composites to a healthier competitive atmosphere that serves to make composites overall more competitive with legacy materials.
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Composites enable innovative prototype for snow mountain bike
A group of engineering students from the University of Sherbrooke (Québec, Canada) believe mountain biking should be enjoyed year-round.
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Engel: Full speed ahead on composites R&D
CW attended the Engel Symposium 2015 and visited its Technology Center for Lightweight Composites in St. Valentin, Austria.
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