Automation

Adhesives

Sailing the sea with composite wings

Autonomous sailing vessel patrols with patented WingSail technology.

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Carbon Fibers

A350 XWB update: Smart manufacturing

Spirit AeroSystems actualizes Airbus’ intelligent design for the A350’s center fuselage and front wing spar in Kinston, N.C.

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Automation

Status update on composites automation

Consultant Carroll Grant reviews progress made in recent years toward greater variety in automated composites processing machine sizes configurations and capabilities.

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New filament to make composites "smart"

CW Conferences director Scott Stephenson premiers a showcase for new ideas overheard at CW Conferences.

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Automation

The digital thread: Transformation to automation

Dr. Leslie Cohen traces the “digital thread” on which automation of composites fabrication processes depends.

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Windpower 2009 highlights

 The show confirmed wind energy’s status as a recession-proof market for composites, but blade manufacturers were put on notice about the need to automate.

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Sustainability

Offshore wind: How big will blades get?

 Explosive growth in offshore wind farms will push the limits of blade engineering as manufacturers pursue massive designs that will harvest more megawatts.

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Wind/Energy

Wind Blade Manufacturing, Part I: M and P innovations optimize production

 As demand for wind turbines reaches unprecedented levels, rotor blade manufacturers explore new production strategies, including automation and blade segmentation.

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Weaving

Structural health monitoring: Composites get smart

 New initiatives are mainstreaming real-time monitoring systems into composites on aircraft, wind blades and other critical performance structures.

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Taking Subjectivity out of Class A Surface Evaluation

Toward the goal of more consistent, repeatable and quantifiable Class A surface analysis, automakers and systems suppliers are developing and employing automated surface inspection tools.

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