Industry News
We’ve partnered with the folks at Composites World to bring you monthly updates in the more technical world of carbon fiber.  Here’s what’s new this month:
Cirrus completes first flight of Vision SF50 jet
The seven-seat, pressurized, single-engine Vision SF50 jet features an all-carbon fiber composite structure and is beginning flight testing ahead of U.S. FAA certification.
Hexagon Lincoln wins $15 million CNG vessels order
Hexagon Lincoln’s all-carbon fiber composite, Type 4 TUFFSHELL compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel cylinders have been ordered to support heavy duty and transit vehicles in North America.
Sensenich introduces O-360 carbon fiber composite adjustable propeller
Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Co.’s long-anticipated adjustable composite propeller for the Lycoming O-360 engine has passed in-house tests and complies with ASTM standards.
Oxeon TeXtreme to be distributed by Composite Envisions
The agreement will make smaller quantities of the spread-tow fabrics available in the Americas.
Composites the clear choice in telecom tower rehabs
Tower permit difficulties spur repairs/upgrades of aging steel structures.
Carbon fiber cryotank for heavy-lift launch
Carbon fiber cryotank angles for a place in heavy-lift launch systems.
More from JEC: High-quality carbon fiber monocoques in two hours
Volkswagen’s new XL1 hybrid diesel features a carbon fiber monocoque made by Mubea Carbo Tech.
NASA, Boeing prepare for cryotank testing
The carbon fiber, 28,000-gal/105,992-liter tank, designed for possible use in heavy-lift launch systems, will be tested and evaluated by NASA in Alabama.
Zodiac, Hexcel collaborate on new aircraft seat design
Zodiac Aerospace used Hexcel carbon fibers to develop L3, a new line of light-weight aircraft passenger seats designed for medium/short-haul flights.
Henkel installing high-pressure resin transfer molding system
Henkel will use the HP-RTM system at its North American headquarters in Madison Heights, Mich., USA, to support development of its Loctite MAX Series polyurethane resin for use with carbon fiber and glass fiber composites.
Far-UK develops fast processes for carbon fiber auto parts
The Nottingham spinoff is working with Axon Automotive, and developing new technologies for complex composite shapes.
Google acquires UAV builder Titan Aerospace
New Mexico-based Titan, which is developing the composites-intensive Solara 50 solar-powered, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is expected to help Google provide Internet access in remote areas.
The making of the BMW i3
The Life Module of the BMW i3 all-electric is comprised of resin transfer molded carbon fiber composite structures that are assembled via robotics at the company’s manufacturing and assembly plant in Leipzig, Germany.
FORMAX commissions multiaxial machine for high-volume automotive
U.K.-based FORMAX has installed and commissioned its new Karl Mayer Malitronic multiaxial machine for the production of non-crimp carbon fiber fabrics for high-volume automotive manufacturing.
Carbures acquires Composystem, expands South Carolina facility
Spain-based Carbures has acquired Composystem (also Spain) to strengthen its presence in aerospace. Carbures also is expanding its Greenville, S.C., USA plant to expand Airbus composites manufacturing work.
Huntsman epoxy assessed for cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage
Germany’s University of Bayreuth is analyzing the effective use of carbon fiber composites for cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, focusing on a Huntsman Advanced Materials resin transfer molding (RTM) epoxy.
Aeroindustryjobs: Jobs of the month, April, 2014
Week of April 1:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at GE Aviation, Toray Composites (America), Hexcel, Exelis and Cobham.
Week of April 8:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Cytec Aerospace Materials, CCP Composites US LLC, Boeing and GE Aviation.
Week of April 15:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Moseley Technical Services, Toray Composites (America), Cobham, Exelis, Kaman Composites Vermont.
Week of April 22:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Hexcel, Cobham, Aurora Flight Sciences, GE Aviation and others.
Week of April 29:Â Aerospace industry job opportunities at Lamsco West, Hexcel, GE Aviation, Boeing and Cytec Industrial Materials.