Manufacturing and Distribution Industry

FiberCore Europe developed SUREbridge, a circular solution in which a composite fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) deck is placed on an existing concrete bridge. Crumbling, unsafe concrete bridges and viaducts handling heavier traffic is an on-going problem, and demolishing and rebuilding these structures is costly and very time-consuming and is not a sustainable solution. To solve the…

German company RUF developed the Rodeo concept, an all-wheel-drive carbon fiber safari vehicle based on the classic Porsche 911 safari rally car. Alois Ruf, Jr. has a long relationship with the Porsche 911. In 1983, the RUF BTR was manufactured – the first sports car with a RUF chassis number – a 3.4-liter turbo engine…

Alfa Romeo’s 2020 Giulia GTA has an excellent weight-to-power ratio thanks to a total weight reduction of 220 pounds achieved by the adoption of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber for the driveshaft, hood, roof, front bumper and more. Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 110th anniversary by reintroducing its classic Giulia GTA, inspired by the 1965…

Tepex continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite materials from LANXESS are being used in a child seat headrest developed as a technology demonstrator offering excellent crash performance. To say that the safety of a child in a car seat is crucial is an understatement. With that in mind, a multi-national research project was funded by the German Federal…

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 highly encouraged not only for resolving the current issue, but as reference to help in resolving future issues. If you have made good…

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 people to experience the adventure of flying. He founded ICON Aircraft and, together with a team of experts, designed the ICON A5, an…

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 masking other noises, they have to find a way to silence normal vehicle sounds that had previously gone unnoticed. Unfortunately,…

Grid hardening drives massive surge in FRP pole demand. 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 difficult-to-access areas. Then came Hurricane Sandy in 2012, followed by Irma, Maria and Michael among…

Collaboration is the key to developing effective workforce education programs in the composites industry. 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 progresses through advanced composite skills. The success of the program hinges on collaboration…

Manufacturers have cut production time for thermoplastic composite parts, increasing interest in the aerospace and automotive communities. 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 unidirectional reinforcements. The impetus for change came from the…