Trends
Leonardo and CETMA: disrupting composites for lower cost and environmental impact
Italian OEM and tier supplier Leonardo works with CETMA R&D to develop new composite materials, machines and processes, including induction welding for in-situ consolidation of thermoplastic composites.
Read More
German Bionic unveils fourth-generation carbon fiber exoskeleton
The Cray X features a frame made with SGL Carbon carbon fiber and aids workers when lifting loads of up to 28 kilograms for up to eight hours.
Read More
Electroimpact’s 6-axis continuous fiber 3D printer, one part of future multi-functional manufacturing cell
The Scalable Composite Robotic Additive Manufacturing (SCRAM) system 3D prints with continuous fiber tape or filament and seamlessly swaps end effectors for large-scale pellet deposition and CNC machining.
Watch
Arevo launches direct-to-customer 3D-printed bicycle
The Superstrata brand features a fully unibody carbon fiber/polyamide frame manufactured using Arevo’s direct deposition additive manufacturing process.
Read More
Conbility: Mass production of composite tape laminates
RWTH Aachen spin-off scales up production for low-cost, in-situ consolidated composites as inserts for lighter, cheaper injection-molded parts.
Watch
Developing a linerless, all-composite, spherical cryotank
Infinite Composites Technologies’ Type V pressure vessel for storing cryogenic space launch vehicle propellants shows promise for eliminating elusive microcracking issues.
Read More
Swinburne University and CSIRO's Industry 4.0 Testlab for Composite Additive Manufacturing
Australia and Germany collaborate to build Composites 4.0 production line for competitive advantage in next-gen manufacturing and workforce.
Watch
Surface treatment for adhesive bonding: Thermoset vs. thermoplastic composites
According to BTG Labs, common surface treatment methods like abrasion and plasma treatment work best for different materials.
Read More
Carbon fiber-reinforced concrete accelerates in Germany
TU Dresden and C3 – Carbon Concrete Composite demonstrator aims to reduce concrete material use by 50% and CO2 emissions by up to 70%; Hitexbau touts high-volume automated production for carbon fiber textile grids.
Watch
Toray reduces carbon fiber and prepreg production
Toray will suspend operations in Spartanburg, S.C., U.S., and reduce prepreg capacity in Tacoma, Wash., U.S.
Read More