Composite Applications
Spanish startup to ramp up production of “recyclable” EV prototype
Liux’s BIG electric vehicle features multiple structural components manufactured via RTM from flax fabric and a thermoset resin said to enable the entire component to be recycled and reused again.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Recycled carbon fiber composite panels power 40% lighter, durable semi-rigid solar panels
Designed for auxiliary power use while traveling via boat or RV, Italian startup Levante’s custom flexible or standardized semi-rigid solar panels combine the benefits of ReCarbon’s rCF and thermoplastics.
Read MoreComposites housing improves organ transport to save lives
Vabo Composites collaborates on novel design, supplies lighter, higher volume production housing.
Read MoreOptimized CFRP gantry beam enhances Ultimate cutting machines
CompoTech, Kongsberg PCS collaboration integrates foam-cored design, automated placement of pitch and PAN fibers to achieve award-winning increase in speed and precision.
Read MoreComposite materials, design enable challenging Corvette exterior components
General Motors and partners Premix-Hadlock and Albar cite creative engineering and a move toward pigmented sheet molding compound (SMC) to produce cosmetic components that met strict thermal requirements.
Read MoreCFRP planing head: 50% less mass, 1.5 times faster rotation
Novel, modular design minimizes weight for high-precision cutting tools with faster production speeds.
Read MoreCarbon fiber satellite arm reduces weight, simplifies assembly onto naval vessels
Satcom developer EM Solutions partnered with ACS Australia to replace an aluminum arm design with a 65% lighter, one-piece, corrosion-resistant carbon fiber/epoxy alternative.
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High-tension, vertical filament winding enables affordable flywheel energy storage system
French startup Energiestro’s prototype solar energy flywheel-based storage system aims to reduce costs with glass fiber composites and prestressed concrete.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Optimized rib-reinforced hollow composites via printed molds
Addyx topology optimization and water-soluble mandrel enables simultaneous rib and skin layup for one-shot, high-strength, lightweight structures.
Read MorePull-wound carbon fiber poles enable lightweight, compact, rigid emergency stretcher
Based on military feedback, Epsilon Composite developed an optimized, foldable stretcher that combines telescopic pull-wound carbon fiber tubes.
Read MoreComposite wrap system combats corrosion in industrial tank repair
A fiberglass and carbon fiber composite wrap system enabled an Australian nickel mine to quickly repair a stainless steel ammonium sulphate feed tank and protect against future corrosion.
Read MoreDesigning an infused, two-piece composite baseball bat
With its Icon BBCOR bat, Rawlings leveraged its experience in braided fabrics and RTM to create an optimized, higher-performance two-piece design.
Read MoreDesigning and manufacturing turbine test nacelles
Michigan-based Ground Test Solutions (GTS) shares the design and manufacturing processes involved in building composite nacelle components used in testing jet and helicopter engines.
Read MoreRepurposing wind blades as functional community art pieces
Ohio-based Canvus Inc. upcycles fiberglass wind blades, car tires and post-consumer plastics to create outdoor furniture that amplifies sustainability messages in community spaces.
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Modular, curved racing track design enabled by composites and adaptive molds
X-Track worked with bespline to develop an easy-to-install, reusable, customizable composite sandwich panel alternative to dirt BMX and motorcross tracks.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Multi-material, self-sensing, 3D-printed scoliosis braces
Startup Fited and Brightlands Materials Center have developed a lighter weight, thinner CFRP corrective brace, including pressure sensors made from continuous carbon fibers.
Read MoreMold 3D printing helps automate composite bathtub, shower production
As part of its efforts to automate as much of its production process as it can, Lyons Industries acquired a Massivit 10000 additive manufacturing system to quickly produce high-performance molds and support fixtures.
Read MorePull-wound fiberglass composite 5G utility poles enable easier, faster installation
EasyStreet Systems is working with Exel Composites to develop and certify pull-wound fiberglass utility poles aimed at durable, lightweight poles for 5G small cell systems.
Read MoreUrban furniture project demonstrates green potential for composite 3D printing and recycled materials
Large-format AM specialist Caracol and partners designed custom, 3D-printed outdoor furniture with glass fiber-reinforced recycled polypropylene, and conducted an LCA to evaluate and improve the process.
Read MoreBio-based epoxy, recycled materials increase sustainability of all-terrain snowboards
Aiming for a smaller environmental footprint while maintaining high performance, Salomon’s Highpath snowboard line incorporates bio-based epoxy, glass and basalt fiber stringers and recycled materials.
Read MoreRecycling hydrogen tanks to produce automotive structural components
Voith Composites and partners develop recycling solutions for hydrogen storage tanks and manufacturing methods to produce automotive parts from the recycled materials.
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Large-format AM speeds plug production for manufacture of composite boat molds
Hungarian manufacturer Rapid Prototyping transitioned its conventional foam milling process to 3D printing to produce faster, higher quality, recyclable foam plugs and composite boat molds.
Hannah Mason
Technical Editor, CompositesWorld
Nanomaterials optimize performance of space-ready carbon fiber composite panels
A recent ESA project led by Adamant Composites aimed to mature nanomaterial-enhanced CFRP for lighter weight, more thermally and electrically conductive materials for manufacturing satellite structures.
Read MoreRunning shoe insoles get a lift with thermoplastic fiberglass tapes
FlexSpring insoles take advantage of unidirectional, continuous fiberglass and thermoplastics to enable next-level performance for the everyday runner.
Read MoreLighter, stronger, faster bionic hand aided by composites design
Psyonic’s touch-sensing prosthetic hand leverages bionic technology, 3D printing and a carbon fiber composite exterior for light weight, high strength and high-tech functionality.
Read MoreRefurbished Einstein yacht demonstrates innovative composites repair and redesign
Years of creative engineering work went into resurrecting the composites-intensive IMOCA 60 racing yacht — with award-winning results.
Read MoreHigh-temperature composite 3D printing facilitates design, manufacture of deployable space structures
Opterus R&D employs an AON3D printer and OOA prepregs to build the tooling, prototypes and end-use versions of its foldable CFRP satellite structures.
Read MoreCFRP telescopic mast technology adds height, performance to mobile police surveillance
CompoTech’s Compolift technology leverages automated filament winding to provide high-strength, high-stiffness extendable masts for use on mobile surveillance vehicles, boats and more.
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