News

Spirit AeroSystems and Spintech ventures partner on complex composite aircraft manufacturing

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:29:28 +0000

Spirit AeroSystems announced it has been working with Spintech Ventures, of Xenia, Ohio, to develop a new reconfigurable tooling technology for manufacturing complex composite aircraft structures.

The solution uses re-formable, reusable mandrels to form complex, highly integrated composite structures, with features that are not possible with traditional tools.

In 2005, Spirit AeroSystems began collaboration with Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) and CRG's affiliate company, Spintech Ventures LLC, to refine and scale-up the technology. Spintech is now offering the technology under the trade name Smart Tooling. Spirit's version of the technology, which includes enhancements to enable large, integrated, single-sided reinforced structures, is known as Inflexion.

DLR and NLR sign agreement on joint advanced composites development

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:25:44 +0000

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands (NLR) sign a cooperation agreement in the field of fiber reinforced composites at Paris Air Show.

Goal of the cooperation is to more efficiently develop methods for the design, development and production of light-weight structures for the aerospace and transport sectors, this in order to contribute to the reduction of fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emissions.

From research to prototype

QinetiQ North America’s LAST Armor to protect C-130 aircraft

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:29:13 +0000

QinetiQ North America (QNA) announces that Lockheed Martin has selected its enhanced LAST lightweight composite armor to protect AC-130J aircraft.

Part of QNA’s survivability suite, LAST armor is a unique, field installable system for use on a variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Each unit is designed using an array of armor formulas and configurations, depending on mission priorities and threat mitigation requirements.

In addition to delivering the proven LAST armor system, QNA has partnered with leading technology innovators to develop the best possible solutions for ballistics modernization. Key team contributors on the LOX program include Incident Control Systems and TenCate Advanced Armor.

ThyssenKrupp focuses carbon composites activities in Saxony

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:21:00 +0000

ThyssenKrupp is concentrating its activities in carbon fiber reinforced plastics at Kesselsdorf near Dresden.

Stanislaw Tillich, Premier of the Free State of Saxony, and Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger, Executive Board Chairman of ThyssenKrupp AG, officially inaugurated the Tech Center Carbon Composites and the ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components GmbH production plant. While the TechCenter's task is to support carbon composite projects throughout the Group, ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components will focus on the development and production of vehicle components such as lightweight carbon wheels.

Canadian AF Theriault benefits from DIAB solutions

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 +0000

When the boatyard was founded by Augustin Theriault in 1938, most ships which sailed the oceans were still built with wood. AF Theriault & Son Ltd combines old techniques with the latest materials to create lightweight, yet sturdy boats.

One of the largest privately owned boatyards in Canada’s Atlantic region, AF Theriault constructs everything from sturdy fishing boats, workboats, pilot boats and patrol vessels to more luxurious yachts and passenger ferries. But the company not only builds boats. Through repair, refit and conversion work, AF Theriault helps clients get the most out of their vessels.

Company:

DIAB INTERNATIONAL AB

First A350 XWB successfully completes first flight

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:23:31 +0000

The first A350 XWB to fly has landed back at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport France at 14.05 hours local time after successfully completing its first flight that lasted four hours and five minutes (245 minutes)

The aircraft was flown by Peter Chandler, Airbus’ Chief Test Pilot, and Guy Magrin, Project Pilot for the A350 XWB. Accompanying them in the cockpit was Pascal Verneau, the A350 XWB Project Test Flight Engineer. Monitoring the progress of the flight profile were the three flight test engineers: Fernando Alonso, Head of Airbus Flight & Integration Test Centre; Patrick du Ché, Head of Development Flight Tests; and Emanuele Costanzo, lead Flight Test Engineer for the Trent XWB engine

BOBIWRAP: the machine for subsea reparation

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:48:32 +0000

Composite repair are increasingly employed in the oil and gas industry for temporary and permanent repairs. They are generally made of fibers tapes (aramid, glass …) impregnated with epoxy resin and then wrapped around the pipe.

The numbers of fibers tapes layers and the repair length are determined from design calculations following standards such as ISO/TS 24817 or ASME PCC-2.

BOBIWRAP has been developed to improve subsea reparation operations: light and maneuverable, it can be handled by a single diver. The sustainability of the reparation is entirely ensured.

After more than 24 months going through conception, manufacture and adjustments, the first tests have been accomplished in the Port of Monaco and the efficiency of the machine patented by Total and 3X is confirmed.

Owens Corning introduces new Sustaina glass veil and Ultrapipe fabric design

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:41:51 +0000

Owens Corning introduces a new glass-based solution for construction, transportation and pipe rehabilitation.

Sustaina surfacing and reinforcing glass non-woven solutions for residential and commercial building applications
After a successful launch in North America, Owens Corning is bringing its new Sustaina surfacing and reinforcing glass non-woven solutions to the European residential & commercial building market.

Company:

OWENS CORNING