Hannah Mason

Hannah Mason Technical Editor

Application

Large-format AM speeds plug production for manufacture of composite boat molds

Hungarian manufacturer Rapid Prototyping transitioned its conventional foam milling process to 3D printing to produce faster, higher quality, recyclable foam plugs and composite boat molds.

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Thermoplastics

KraussMaffei expands composites, plastics capabilities at Brighton, Michigan facility

The site recently installed a powerPrint large-format AM system, thermoforming machine and more to serve customers in North America.

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Post Cure: Continuous fiber injection reinforces 3D printed parts

Reinforce 3D’s postprocessing technology injects continuous carbon fibers and liquid resin into parts with tubular cavities, enabling reinforcement and integral joining for components like a satellite antenna support. 

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Sustainability

Evolving natural fiber technology to meet industry sustainability needs

From flax fiber composite boats to RV exterior panels to a circularity model with partnerships in various end markets, Greenboats strives toward its biomaterials and sustainable composites vision in an ever-changing market.

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IDI Composites opens new global headquarters, manufacturing and technology center

The Noblesville, Indiana, facility includes SMC and BMC manufacturing, an R&D center and the company’s corporate headquarters.

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Consumer

Self-balancing electric mobility vehicle developed by Genny Factory SA, RadiciGroup, Acerbis

The two-wheeled personal transporter was redesigned from metal to composite and plastic components to reduce weight while meeting performance standards.

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Asahi Kasei, Aquafil develop 3D printing material combining cellulose nanofiber, recycled PA6

Available as a pellet or filament, the material is said to exhibit formability and strength properties suitable for automotive and aerospace applications.

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Sensors

Streamlining aerospace composites operations with RFID tracking

Tier 1 Sekisui Aerospace’s implementation of RFID tracking, sensors and Xemelgo software at two of its production facilities led to increased productivity, eliminating bottlenecks and reducing labor costs.

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Application

Composite materials, design enable challenging Corvette exterior components

General Motors and partners Premix-Hadlock and Albar cite creative engineering and a move toward pigmented sheet molding compound (SMC) to produce cosmetic components that met strict thermal requirements.

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Prepregs

Plant tour: Airbus, Illescas, Spain

Airbus’ Illescas facility, featuring highly automated composites processes for the A350 lower wing cover and one-piece Section 19 fuselage barrels, works toward production ramp-ups and next-generation aircraft.

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Composites reinvent automotive

To celebrate National Composites Week, CW shares some of the latest innovations in automotive composites, from new process technologies to novel commercial applications.

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Application

Carbon fiber satellite arm reduces weight, simplifies assembly onto naval vessels

Satcom developer EM Solutions partnered with ACS Australia to replace an aluminum arm design with a 65% lighter, one-piece, corrosion-resistant carbon fiber/epoxy alternative.

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