Work In Progress
Increasing demand for composite driveshafts leads to automated production
California-based fabricator ACPT Inc. worked with machine suppliers to build an innovative semi-automated production line featuring an automated filament winder.
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Composites as auto-body reinforcements
Hybrid structural-reinforcement technology expands options, gains applications, markets.
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Wing of Tomorrow ribs: One-shot, thermoplastic, OOA consolidation
GKN Aerospace’s carbon fiber thermoplastic aircraft rib design accomplishes 45-minute cycle times, reduced weight and competitive costs via a customized press system.
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Glass fiber and phenolic prove their mettle in camshaft module
Replacing aluminum, a fiberglass/phenolic module reduces mass and NVH in a prototype structure and speeds assembly line installation.
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Automated weaving system targets high-performance, high-volume applications
Startup WEAV3D Inc.’s technology produces highly tunable, woven lattice reinforcements for cost-effective, high-volume automotive composites and precast concrete applications.
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Tow steering, Part 3: The birth of tow shearing
In-plane shearing of tows, versus in-plane bending of tows, hopes to take automated fiber placement directionality to new levels.
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Thermoplastic tapes reinforced with textile-based PAN carbon fiber
IACMI project trials inline production of thermoplastic tapes reinforced with textile-based PAN carbon fiber.
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Invar, wire additive manufacturing expand aerocomposite tooling options
Invar facesheets and backing structures are candidates for large-format 3D printing to more quickly and efficiently produce aerostructures tooling.
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Composites design helps nano-sized lunar rover hit big milestones
Developed by Carnegie Mellon University, the ultralight, composites-intensive Iris nano-rover will make its lunar debut later this year.
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Flexible carbon fiber plates enable high-performance footwear
Carbitex’s flexible carbon fiber/thermoplastic composite plates use creative engineering to eliminate design compromises in athletic footwear.
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