Automotive
Move over steel — Aluminum is now the target
Dale Brosius, a consultant and president of Quickstep Composites (Dayton, Ohio), observes that chasing aluminum as a competitor is a much easier task than chasing steel — if the composites industry can meet cost and volume requirements.
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Business and busy-ness
CT editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan returns for JEC Europe 2014 in Paris with observations about several intriguing composites industry trends.
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Dow epoxy joins the fast-cure race
Dow Automotive made waves at JEC Europe with the debut of VORAFORCE 5300, a low-viscosity, <90-second cure epoxy for automotive composites molding applications.
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Composite flywheels: Finally picking up speed?
A wave of new composite flywheel developments for bus, rail, auto, heavy truck, construction equipment, and power grid support promises fuel savings, improved efficiency and reduced emissions — i.e. sustainability in the global quest for more energy.
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It's time for the U.S. to invest in advanced composites manufacturing
Consultant and president of Quickstep Composites (Dayton, Ohio) Dale Brosius suggests that it’s time for an Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IMI), created under the proposed U.S. National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI).
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Walmart uses CFRP to boost efficiency
The new Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (WAVE) truck uses carbon fiber to cut 4,000 lb/1,814 kg and includes 53-ft/16.2m long, one-piece CFRP trailer panels.
WatchMeter/Mix/Dispense Machines: Balancing speed and control for auto CFRP
Suppliers of meter/mix/dispense (MMD) equipment are under pressure to keep pace with process innovations that are drastically reducing mold cycle times for carbon fiber/epoxy laminates in automotive applications.
Read MoreBuilding a stronger longitudinal leaf spring
Benteler-SGL (Ried, Austria) has identified a carbon fiber hybrid system for production of longitudinal springs.
Read MoreComposite leaf springs: Saving weight in production
Fast-reacting resins and speedier processes are making economical volume manufacturing possible.
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Legacy applications: Inspiration for future vehicles?
Dale Brosius, a consultant and president of Quickstep Composites (Dayton, Ohio), looks back at past automotive composites applications for today's market opportunities.
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