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:
Australian carbon fiber center to partner with DowAksa
DowAksa will team with Deakin University and the Carbon Nexus facility to promote carbon for market adoption, and promote Australian expertise in materials and manufacturing.
Carbon fiber exoskeleton supports Audi assembly line employees
Assembly line workers at Audi’s Neckarsulm, Germany, plant are testing three “Chairless Chairs” — carbon fiber exoskeletons designed to allow employees to sit without actually sitting on a chair.
GE Aviation’s carbon fiber turbine blade turns 20
Certified in 1995 for the GE90 engine to power to Boeing 777 aircraft, the first carbon fiber composite fan blade is turning 20 years old.
Velocite launches filament wound carbon fiber bike rims
First rims to use automated continuous process reportedly deliver improved performance by reducing manufacturing errors and costs associated with manual layup.
SGL, BASF conclude joint research on carbon fiber/polyamide system
The next step for the material, which relies on a newly developed reactive polyamide resin, is specific application in the automotive industry.
Mark Kawamura steps up to president/CEO of Zoltek Companies Inc.
Previously president/COO, Kawamura will now oversee all operations. He succeeds company founder Zsolt Rumy, who will retain his position on the Zoltek board.
At JEC Europe 2015: Chomarat
This Le Cheylard, France-based reinforcements supplier announced two new products: G-FLOW, the first 2-in-1 reinforcement for infusion, and C-PLY ULTRA THIN.
Additive manufacturing: Can you print a car?
Collaborative demonstration dispels doubt about 3D printing’s disruptive potential for direct-to-digital manufacturing of just about anything BIG.
Making carbon fiber green
Port Angeles, Washington is no stranger to composites.
Holding Company Composite opens carbon fiber plant in Russia
Russia-based plant will have 1,700-MT carbon fiber capacity in the Republic of Tatarstan. Additional lines could eventually total 10,000 MT or more.
JEC Europe 2015: News briefs
Quick JEC Europe 2015 reports from Epsilon Composite, Hexcel, AkzoNobel, and Ashland Performance Materials.
Exel Composites, BMW sign cooperation agreement
Finland-based Exel Composites will be BMW’s technology partner in development of next-generation carbon fiber composites for passenger cars.
Rolls-Royce to conduct composites research at UK hub
Commercial aeroengine maker Rolls-Royce will establish a composites research center in Bristol, UK, to develop next-generation carbon fiber composite fan blades and fan cases.
Zoltek to expand Hungarian carbon fiber facility
Carbon fiber manufacturer Zoltek has signed an agreement to expand its facility in Nyergesújfalu, Hungary, already the largest carbon fiber production plant in the world.
CFRP air spring support for buses wins JEC Innovation Award
Automated process delivers hollow braided support structure that cuts weight 70% vs. steel.
Sigmatex awarded government funding
The carbon converter is part of a program to improve composite material adoption and lightweighting in the UK automotive sector, funded by AMSCI.
PlastiComp teams with Xenia
Announced at the JEC Europe 2015 event, the partnership expands Xenia’s product reach in Europe.
Known knowns, known unknowns, unknown unknowns
Hexion featured at JEC Europe this Bakelite thermoset cam carrier reinforced with carbon fiber, developed with Ford Motor Co. and WGS Global Services.
Yachtbuilding Composites: Rigged for Success
Carbon composite cabling in several forms races ahead of dry fibers and stainless steel in sailboat rigging.
Aeroindustryjobs: Jobs of the month, March, 2015
Week of March 3: Aerospace industry job opportunities at TECT Aerospace, CEO Inc., Toray Composites (America) Inc., Cytec Aerospace Materials and Exelis.
Week of March 10: Aerospace industry job opportunities at CEO Inc., Hexcel, Exelis and Nippon Paper Industries USA.
Week of March 24: Aerospace-related job opportunities at Hexagon Lincoln, TenCate Advanced Composites, Hexcel and Exelis.
Week of March 31: Aerospace-related job opportunities at Rubbercraft, TenCate, Cytec Aerospace Materials and Toray Composites (America) Inc.