Energy Giant bp Faces Future
Pre-COVID initiatives being accelerated, it seems
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
Setforge and 9T Labs collaborate to replace metal part production with composites
The substitution, enabling Setforge’s serial production of CFRP components, will be aided by 9T Lab’s Red Series technology.
KraussMaffei recompounding line available for human trials
Applicable for extrusion and injection molding, the line enables all post-consumer LDPE, HDPE, PP or PS fractions to be processed into recompounds.
Bye Aerospace begins next flight test phase for eFlyer 2
The next flight test phase for the eFlyer 2 focuses on selecting the most effective propeller that meets lightweight and efficiency requirements.
First all-CFRP fuselage in Mexico
UNAQ and RHEM Composites help produce body of third prototype for Oaxaca Aerospace’s Pegasus P-400T.
Toyota Touts New Electronics Plating Tech
Stamping-type process designed to cut waste and manufacturing emissions
U.K. develops Sustainable Composites to address composite recycling challenge
The partnership will accelerate new recycling technologies, such as delivering a series of R&D projects, investing in new material feedstocks and more.
Trevor Milton of Nikola Talks Industry Disruption
Will Nikola become the Tesla of Class 8 trucking (the Tesla semi notwithstanding)? It sure seems like a good bet. And lots of investors are betting it will
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
Aimplas-led project develops thermoplastic prototypes
The RECONTRANS project adapts Arkema’s Elium thermoplastic resin for car, truck and rail applications.
High-rate, automated aerospace RTM line delivers next-gen spoilers
At Spirit AeroSystem’s Prestwick facility in Scotland, a glimpse of the future of aerocomposites manufacturing in a resin transfer molding line for A320 spoilers.
PlasmaBound completes €1.1 million investment round
Ireland-based PlasmaBound has developed controlled polymer ablation (CPA) technology, which joins structural adhesives to composites materials.
DSM introduces new UHMWPE fiber
Compared to DSM’s original Dyneema thermoplastic fiber products, Trosar addresses a wider range of high-performance applications.
Digital thread vs. digital twin
This is an online sidebar for the July 2020 article, “Composites 4.0: Digital transformation, adaptive production, new paradigms”. When I first discussed these concepts in 2016, they were still somewhat nascent in composites.
People in Composites: June 2020
Siemens Gamesa, Composites for Europe, SPE, Lockheed Martin and more announce management changes.
Study: U.S. Car Sales Won’t Hit 17 Million Again Until 2026
AlixPartners: The industry was weakening before the coronavirus arrived
Bill Hampton
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Daily
RS Electric Boats selects Norco for composites fabrication
Comprised of bio-based infused epoxy resin, recycled PET core and basalt and flax fibers, the Pulse58 drives a different approach to boating.
Surface treatment for adhesive bonding: Thermoset vs. thermoplastic composites
According to BTG Labs, common surface treatment methods like abrasion and plasma treatment work best for different materials.
Nabrawind announces OEM order for jointed blade
Nabrawind expects commercial manufacturing of its modular blade to begin by 2021 for a top five wind turbine OEM.
SPE postpones Automotive Innovation Awards Gala to 2021
SPE’s Automotive Innovation Awards Gala has been rescheduled for Nov. 10, 2021, after deeming physical distancing impractical for the event.
Report: The Revolution Ahead for Automakers
Deloitte spells out what carmakers must do to excel
NASA prepares for phased testing of its first all-electric X-plane
Flight testing of the X-57 Maxwell will assess its electric cruise motors and composites-intensive, high-aspect ratio wings.
CAR’s Management Briefing Seminars Go Online
Special features aim to capture in-person experience
Bill Hampton
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Daily
Velis Electro all-electric aircraft obtains type certificate
Obtained from EASA, the Type Certification furthers Pipistrel’s goal for sustainable and emissions-free aircraft.
Europe's Vattenfall invests in world’s largest offshore wind farm
The 1,500-MW Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm will power 2 million-3 million Dutch homes and is part of a larger industry trend toward renewables and away from fossil fuels.
Fiberglass composites enable lighter, sturdier COVID-19 testing booth design
Canada-based Imagine Fiberglass’ IsoBooth station is designed to eliminate the need for PPE by healthcare workers testing patients for COVID-19.
UTComp improves launched composite inspection system
The non-destructive, non-intrusive corrosion barrier evaluation process increases worker safety and extends the service-life of industrial infrastructure.
German racing series shifts to natural fiber application
German racing series DTM says the shift away from carbon fibers will be more cost-efficient, improve lightweighting and reduce the organization’s ecological footprint.
Wisk resumes eVTOL aircraft flight testing
Following the coronavirus pandemic, flight testing of the all-electric aircraft, Cora, resumes in the U.S. and New Zealand.
