ATL/AFP
TPRC develops continuous optical reflection characterization setup for AFP
As part of the NXTGEN Hightech program, developer Joran Geschiere achieved a setup that can characterize entire spool lengths of UD tape meant for the AFP process.
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Inside the MFFD — CW's coverage of the Clean Aviation multifunctional fuselage demonstrator
ÂÌñÏ×ÆÞ rounds up coverage of the MFFD project over the past decade. Now complete, the MFFD illustrates numerous processes and technologies for manufacturing primary aerospace structures using thermoplastic composites.
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ASCEND program completion: Transforming the U.K.'s high-rate composites manufacturing capability
GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K. partners chart the final chapter of the 4-year, £39.6 million ASCEND program, which accomplished significant progress in high-rate production, Industry 4.0 and sustainable composites manufacturing.
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McLaren develops aerospace-inspired ART method for volume composite super car engineering
Automated rapid tape (ART) technique, already deployed at the MCTC and to be used for future McLaren models, is capable of producing lighter, stiffer and stronger carbon fiber structures with less waste.
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Conbility thermoplastics system installation supports TITK R&D
LATW and tape winding machine enhances TITK Rudolstadt’s ability to conduct advanced thermoplastic R&D projects, particularly for aerospace.
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VIDEO: Flexible molding and machining for composites
Addcomp and bespline are sister companies that offer innovative solutions for composites. This video from CAMX 2024 offers an overview of Addcomp’s AFP solutions.
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Composites end markets: New space (2025)
Composite materials — with their unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, durability in extreme environments and design versatility — are at the heart of innovations in satellites, propulsion systems and lunar exploration vehicles, propelling the space economy toward a $1.8 trillion future.
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MiniLab consortium produces first full-scale thermoplastic composite hydrofoils
Project advances toward first recyclable foils for ocean racing, part of “Infinite Foil” finalist for JEC Innovation Award 2025.
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Design for manufacturing, assembly and automation enables complex CFRP telescope supports
Airborne delivered two mirror support structures for the FYST and SOLAT telescopes, assembling 26,300 components while maintaining near-zero CTE, strict tolerances on 6.5 × 6.5 × 1.8-meter assemblies.
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Proving thermoplastic composites match carbon fiber/epoxy performance in road bikes
CDCQ, LxSim, Addcomp and Argon 18 collaborate to optimize a carbon fiber/PA6 bike seat post, democratizing AFP and demonstrating materials and process for future designs and production.
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