Workforce Development

Wind/Energy

Reformable composite equestrian saddle

This carbon fiber/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) saddle tree features an intralaminate heating element that enables horse owners to reconfigure saddle shapes as horses grow, greatly reducing long-term saddle-fitting costs.

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Sustainability

Is a composites technical talent shortage looming?

Regular CW columnist Dale Brosius, also the chief commercialization officer for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI, Knoxville, TN, US), calls for more schools with curricula that mint engineers with undergraduate degrees in composites.

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Aerospace

Aeroengine Composites, Part 2: CFRPs expand

Proven in fan blade/case applications, carbon fiber-reinforced polymers migrate to previously unanticipated destinations nearer the engine “hot zone.”

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Aerospace

Structural health monitoring: NDT-integrated aerostructures

SHM moves from structural testing to an FAA-qualified inspection alternative, to reduce cost, streamline operations and mature toward lighter, more robust smart structures

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Composites lighten driving simulator dome

A first for its codevelopers, Pagnotta Engineering Inc. (PEI, Exton, PA, US) and JRL Ventures (Cape Coral, FL, US), this low-mass enclosure spawned a new product venture for the pair in research-oriented driving simulation systems.

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Autoclave

SPE’S ACCE 2015 Preview

Automotive composites remain a hot topic in the Motor City.

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Carbon Fibers

Port Angeles Composite Recycling Technology Center wins federal grant

The $2 million from the US Department of Commerce will retrofit a building in Port Angeles, WA, US, to house the industrial and training facilities for the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC).

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Infrastructure

Workforce development: Let's start in high school

CW Editor-in-Chief Jeff Sloan says one concern at the otherwise positive initial membership meeting of the new Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) was that the composites industry is quickly losing knowledge, as old-timers retire, that is not so easily replaced. Here's his prescription.

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Marine

First all-carbon yacht a winner

Vacuum infusion with customized fabrics enables demanding yacht build

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Autoclave

Turning ideas into innovative composites

From helmets to harps to the new Formula Lites all-carbon race car, Crawford Composites pursues perfection in a wide array of carbon fiber parts.

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