Out of Autoclave

ATL/AFP

RUAG rebrands as Beyond Gravity, boosts CFRP satellite dispenser capacity

NEW smart factory in Linköping will double production and use sensors, data analytics for real-time quality control — CW talks with Holger Wentscher, Beyond Gravity’s head of launcher programs.

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Automation

Haydale Graphene awarded Innovate UK grant to develop smart composite tooling

The ESENSE project aims to replace costly autoclave processes with a multi-zone OOA self-heated tooling solution, potentially cutting lead times by 20%, energy by 15% and halving the cost of autoclave manufacturing.

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Aerospace

DLR Institute of Structures and Design releases video on TB-Rumpf welded thermoplastic composites

Autoclave-free consolidation and resistance welding validated for future aircraft thermoplastic composite fuselage.

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Marine

Hexcel introduces G-Vent technology for thick, OOA marine structures

Hexcel marine prepregs are available with G-Vent integrated, enabling out-of-autoclave processing with reduced time, cost and autoclave-comparable porosity for highly loaded masts and foils without debulking.

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PEEK

Plant tour: Victrex Composites Solutions, Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.

De-risking thermoplastic composites at industrial scale via hybrid overmolding.

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ATL/AFP

Middle River Aerostructure Systems displays aeroengine nacelle using AFP and RTM composites

Highlights technologies and manufacturing processes that enhance aeroengine operating efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and noise.

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Airbus C295 technology demonstrator makes maiden flight, proves novel design, manufacturing processes

C295 Flight Test Bed 2 (FTB2) tests OOA composite semi-morphing wing, flaps and flap tabs, as well as SatCom antenna for future turboprop aircraft.

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Trends

Fingerprinting liquids for composites

Collo uses electromagnetic sensors and edge analytics to optimize resin degassing, mixing, infusion, polymerization and cure as well as monitoring drift from benchmarked process parameters and enabling in-situ process control.

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Focus on Design

BMW rolls out multi-material Carbon Cage with 2022 iX vehicle line

For its new battery-electric iX sports activity vehicle, BMW combines CFRP strategies from previous i3, i8 and 7-Series designs and adds CFRTP for a lightweight, rigid frame.

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Aerospace

METEOR project studies optimization of thermoplastic prepreg production

Completed project aimed at optimizing and reducing the cost and energy involved in CFRTP prepreg manufacture, with the end goal of industrialization.

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