Design/Simulation

Autoclave

Orion re-entry system: Composites displace metal

World’s largest heat shield updates metal design with out-of-autoclave process.

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Integrated software: Streamlined hull & tool design

Although its reputation was solid, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) builder Planatech (Athens, Greece) recently sought ways to design new composite products and their corresponding tool sets faster, without compromising quality.

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Adhesives

Residential construction breakthrough: Composites find a home

Composite materials get the go-ahead for an unconventional but code-compliant California house.

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Very Light Jets Creating A Demand For Composites

"Baby" jets are causing an aviation buzz but will the market exist?

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Molds/Tools

RTM showcase: One-Piece Rudder

A transatlantic design team uses concurrent engineering to integrate rudder spars, ribs and skins in a single RTM cycle.  

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Free-form surfacing optimizes free-style kayak

The 6-ft/1.8m-long Project 54cx kayak, made using aramid and carbon fabric-reinforced composites, weighs only 19 lb/8.6 kg.

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Aerospace

Optimizing the Ares V payload shroud

Sizing software allows rapid analysis of candidate composite architecture for highly loaded and weight-sensitive launch vehicle component.

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Space

Simulation simplifies fabrication of all-composite crew module

Specialized simulation software shortens development cycle on first all-composite crew module demonstrator for NASA space program.

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PEEK

Direct manufacturing of military aircraft parts

 Laser sintering process shortens lead time, simplifies production of complex, high-performance parts.

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Challenge of engineering retrofit blades

 Myriad interrelated design factors are considered in new blades for turbines originally built for high-wind regimes.

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