CW Blog

Work In Progress

Composite tension leaf springs: Available for trucks at last

Tension leaf springs with progressive spring rates meet the demanding needs of truck suspensions.  

Read More
Molds/Tools

Nine factors to consider when designing composites cure tooling

Gary Bond discusses the common pitfalls and compromises when designing good cure tooling and their holistic significance for a robust composite production process.

Read More
Economics

Composites industry index ends February in growth mode

The GBI: Composites Fabricating closed February at the same level it was in November 2022, right before experiencing a rare two months of contraction.

Read More
Consumer

Lighter, stronger, faster bionic hand aided by composites design

Psyonic’s touch-sensing prosthetic hand leverages bionic technology, 3D printing and a carbon fiber composite exterior for light weight, high strength and high-tech functionality.

Watch
Pressure Vessels

Hexagon Purus Westminster: Experience, growth, new developments in hydrogen storage

Hexagon Purus scales production of Type 4 composite tanks, discusses growth, recyclability, sensors and carbon fiber supply and sustainability.

Watch
Trends

Microwave heating for more sustainable carbon fiber

Skeptics say it won’t work — Osaka-based Microwave Chemical Co. says it already has — and continues to advance its simulation-based technology to slash energy use and emissions in manufacturing.

Read More

Remembering Don Adams

When one thinks of composites test methods, one thinks of Don Adams. Don passed away at the end of 2022. We remember him here.

Read More
Trends

CW Top Shops 2022: Recognizing composites industry leaders

The highest-performing facilities from the 2022 CW Top Shops benchmarking survey share insights about business growth, overcoming labor shortages, sustainability best practices and more.

Read More
Thermoplastics

Developing repairs for thermoplastic composite aerostructures

HyPatchRepair project proves feasibility of automated process chain for welded thermoplastic composite patch repairs.

Read More
Work In Progress

Bio-based acrylonitrile for carbon fiber manufacture

The quest for a sustainable source of acrylonitrile for carbon fiber manufacture has made the leap from the lab to the market.

Read More

Plant tour: Renegade Materials Corp., Miamisburg, Ohio, U.S.

Renegade Materials is known for high-performance prepregs for aerospace applications. Following its acquisition by Teijin in 2019, the company has expanded capacity and R&D efforts on a range of aerospace-targeted materials.

Read More
Automation

ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites

GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.

Read More