Dornier Seawings acquires project for composites-intensive amphibious eVTOL

The current Flywhale FW650 is a two-seat amphibious composite aircraft. It will now be produced and sold under the name, DS-2C, with plans to present an eVTOL version. 

MakerBot 3D printing platform offers expanded advanced composite materials portfolio

Available through MakerBot Labs, the newly qualified 3D printing materials are ideal for demanding engineering applications that require high strength and heat resistance.

Boom Supersonic selects Greensboro, N.C. for airliner manufacturing facility

400,000-square-foot Overture Superfactory in Piedmont Triad Area to break ground in 2022, begin production in 2024 and add local jobs and provide university internships by 2032.

Heatcon, Watlow distributor agreement expands repair equipment options for aerospace customers

A variety of thermal solutions including temperature controllers, power switching devices, data loggers and more will be added to Heatcon’s composite repair equipment products.

FACC seeks 200 new hires in IT, digitalization, innovation and automation

Upswing in aviation, including 2021 new contracts worth €1 billion, impels FACC investment of €150 million to support short-cycle processing of lightweight composites, recycling and expanded production via automation and next-gen manufacturing technologies.
#workforcedevelopment

Kaman Composites leverages composites expertise to expand medical imaging programs with Mirion Technologies

While known as a critical component supplier to the aerospace industry, the Vermont-based company is also recognized for its composite patient positioning components, structural cantilevered solutions and assembly in the medical field.

Booster Unit Amplifies Microcellular Foaming

Trexel’s NC-Series Nitrogen Booster can reliably supply nitrogen supercritical fluid (SCF) to multiple satellite dosing units, creating a low-cost option to equip multiple molding machines with MuCell microcellular foaming.

Mike Thies Celebrates 35 Years at Gema

Gema recognizes Director of Engineering and Sales Mike Thies for 35 years of service.

NC State University study kick-starts carbon fiber production process

Addition of chemical additives, glucaric acid and mucic acid, into precursor PAN material decreased energy requirements for conversion into carbon fiber five-fold. 
#workforcedevelopment

Westlake Chemical completes Hexion epoxy business acquisition

Epoxy business addition reaffirms Westlake’s commitment to sustainability with materials that benefit renewable energy, aerospace and automotive lightweighting.

Arkema preps for powder coating resins lab opening in Cary, North Carolina late 2022

The new facility will focus on formulation and application/testing support for Arkema’s Reafree resins, including those made with polyester and PU resins, UV-curable products, additives and more.

Dura Composites, Anderton Concrete provide single-source access to concrete trenching, GRP lid solutions

U.K. energy and infrastructure customers gain technical engineering support and local supply of durable precast concrete trenches and pultruded GRP trough lid offerings.

Global automation solutions business forms Güdel Americas, builds regional support for customers

Güdel’s strategy for growth will provide customers in the U.S. and Mexico with improved responsiveness, access to spare parts and local service and support.

Manufacturing Activity Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels but Challenges Remain

Manufacturing is back to levels last seen in 2019, but rising raw material costs, supply chain challenges, workforce issues and transportation/logistics costs pose ongoing hurdles.

Ceramic Inserts Can Boost Turning Productivity

When applied correctly, ceramic inserts can dramatically increase cutting speeds, providing shorter cycle times and cost savings compared to carbide for turning operations.

Phosphorus - Important to Platers, But More Important to Our Bodies

Phosphorus is important to platers because it is a key component of most electroless nickel deposits which contain about 5-10% (by wt) phosphorus.  As far as the human body is concerned, there is no substitute for phosphorus.

Biobased PC Copolymer Gets Play in Consumer Electronics

SABIC’s Elcrin EXL 7414 PC helps this industry’s net-zero carbon emissions goals.

Lo que se verá en mecanizado multitarea en IMTS

Una de las tendencias más populares en los sistemas CNC son los avances en el concepto de configuración única incorporados en las nuevas máquinas multitarea. Estas novedades se podrán apreciar en el pabellón de remoción de metal de IMTS 2022.

An Interview with Jim Jones, DIFCO

Jim Jones, consultant and former vice president of DIFCO, discusses his experience in the surface finishing industry. 

Sensors for Composites Processing

Hypertherm Introduces New Machine Data Module

Production Manager is designed to seamlessly integrate with Hypertherm’s Edge Connect CNC to automatically capture machine data without the need for operator intervention.

Larger Soft Gripper for Delicate Parts

Silicone fingers plus a vacuum cavity grip fragile and oddly shaped parts up to 4 in. wide.