Troubleshooting SMC Compression Molding

Troubleshooting of any type is best done using a systematic process that gathers information about the problem and aims at its resolution. Utilizing an organized approach and documenting what is learned is...

Serial Production Takes Off at ICON Aircraft

When the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced the light sport aircraft (LSA) category in 2006, pilot and engineer Kirk Hawkins set out to create a simple, versatile LSA that would enable more...

Seeking Quieter Efficiency for Electric Vehicles

One of the pleasures of driving an electric car is its quiet operation. But the peace that motorists gain comes at a price for automotive designers. Without the constant rumble of an internal combustion engine...

Utilities Ready to Invest in FRP Solutions

Less than a decade ago, FRP composite utility pole manufacturers were going to utility companies to make the value case for installing their more expensive, yet significantly lighter weight products in...

A Team Approach to Employee Training

Davis Technical College in Utah began offering a composite materials technology program 15 years ago. The 900-hour program introduces students to basic composite materials, techniques and procedures, then...
Ongoing research at the ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center in the Netherlands includes many aspects of thermoplastic composite production, including AFP, stamping and overmolding, fusion of thermoplastic parts and long-term performance.

Faster Speed, Greater Opportunity

The 2010s were a transformative decade for composites as the industry’s focus shifted from production of small, non-structural parts made with woven fabrics to larger, structural parts made with...