Work In Progress

Composites 4.0

Modular, robotic cells enable high-rate RTM using any material format

Airborne’s automated ply placement systems at Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Teijin Automotive Technologies aim to maximize flexibility and intelligent automation.

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Wind/Energy

Drag-based wind turbine design for higher energy capture

Claiming significantly higher power generation capacity than traditional blades, Xenecore aims to scale up its current monocoque, fan-shaped wind blades, made via compression molded carbon fiber/epoxy with I-beam ribs and microsphere structural foam.

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Carbon Fibers

Large-diameter composite pipe repairs Detroit sewage system

QuakeWrap's 16-foot-diameter FRP pipes will transfer more than half of Detroit's sewage from a pump station.

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Nanomaterials

Ultra-lightweight skis demonstrate potential of graphene-reinforced composites

With a graphene additive, Folsom Custom Skis evolved and optimized the material makeup of its carbon fiber composite touring skis for higher performance at a lighter weight.      

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Pultrusion

Robotized system makes overmolding mobile, flexible

Anybrid’s ROBIN demonstrates inline/offline functionalization of profiles, 3D-printed panels and bio-based materials for more efficient, sustainable composite parts.

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Thermoplastics

MFFD thermoplastic floor beams — OOA consolidation for next-gen TPC aerostructures

GKN Fokker and Mikrosam develop AFP for the Multifunctional Fuselage Demonstrator’s floor beams and OOA consolidation of 6-meter spars for TPC rudders, elevators and tails.

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Work In Progress

Composite tension leaf springs: Available for trucks at last

Tension leaf springs with progressive spring rates meet the demanding needs of truck suspensions.  

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Sustainability

Bio-based acrylonitrile for carbon fiber manufacture

The quest for a sustainable source of acrylonitrile for carbon fiber manufacture has made the leap from the lab to the market.

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Sustainability

ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites

GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.

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Thermoplastics

Novel processes for hybrid thermoset-thermoplastic pultruded parts

CFRP pultrusion and pullwinding specialist Epsilon Composite combines thermoplastic overmolding with traditional thermoset processes, demonstrated through aircraft struts and industrial applications.

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