The hybrid eVTOL developer announces the deepening of investor dedication in support of Horizon’s aircraft operations and development.
Netherlands consortium advances cryogenic composites testing, tank designs and manufacturing including AFP, hybrid winding, welding of tank components and integrated SHM and H2 sensors for demonstrators in 2025. Oil Filled Nylon Plate
Business will continue as usual during provisional insolvency proceedings while Volocopter internally restructures.
Q&A between Hexagon Purus, Infinite Composites and Hyosung USA delves into the future of H2 storage, including scalability and production goals, materials and application trends and other dynamics.
Successful static loading testing of tail structure and Type Inspection Authorization by FAA pilots moves Joby closer to its 2025 targets.
Independent assessment by DNV confirms the general feasibility of the company’s composite comformable hydrogen storage vessels, applicable for transportation, defense, marine and aviation environments.
JEC World 2025: BBG GmbH & Co. KG’s global reach and decades of experience provide a single source for molds, mold and press systems, as well as end-to-end production lines.
Following the previously discussed coupon-level testing element, subcomponent and component testing are the next steps in designing crashworthy composite structures.
Fuko’s Biogear showcases how strategic composite material distribution and natural fiber damping properties can lightweight and enhance critical aerospace structure performance.
X-Track worked with bespline to develop an easy-to-install, reusable, customizable composite sandwich panel alternative to dirt BMX and motorcross tracks.
Swift Engineering relied on the CAE software’s structural sizing, analysis and test validation capabilities to deliver flight hardware for NASA’s supersonic QueSST aircraft early, under budget and with 25% weight savings.
Cutting time to market by multiple orders of magnitude, machine learning and physics-based approaches are combined to open new possibilities for innovations in biomaterials, fire-resistant composites, space applications, hydrogen tanks and more.
Dutch startup Arceon is working with leaders in space, hypersonics and industry to test its Carbeon CMC, validating near-net-shape parts with <3% porosity and performance at 1600ºC, targeting UHTCMC and a presence in the U.S. in 2025.
The ATL Composites distributor cites the high-performance resin range’s ability to bridge the gap between other polyester and modern epoxy systems, making it well suited to composite surfboard production.
A look at how emerging technologies for FRP concrete provide alternatives to traditionally used steel and glass fibers that are more cost-effective and address the sustainability challenge.
GreenPoxy 56’s bio-content and mechanical performance add to the MADskis team’s development of hand-crafted, eco-conscious, low-impact natural fiber skis.
Studies show that the direct discharge electrical pulse technique is highly effective in CFRP recovery and is more energy efficient than other recycling methods.
Collins Aerospace explains how thermoplastics are integral to the company’s efforts to improve propulsion and reduce costs in aircraft manufacturing. Featured is a nacelle system that will help meet production demand of 80 aircraft per month.
Mel is supplying its composite materials and equipment package, in addition to technical assistance, for the new 15.2-meter defense craft.
JEC World 2025: BBG GmbH & Co. KG’s global reach and decades of experience provide a single source for molds, mold and press systems, as well as end-to-end production lines.
Xenia’s supply of reinforced 3D printing materials to the university’s student aerospace association, Fly Mi - Euroavia Milano, contributed to the team’s ability to meet the project’s demanding performance standards.
CarbonTT’s quadraxial NCF composite chassis adds 185-kilogram capacity to Borco Höhns’ 3.5-ton Fiat Ducato market vehicle.
JEC World 2025: Lehvoss Group presents various material offerings that cater to fire-retardant needs in transportation, to FGF printing.
Project advances toward first recyclable foils for ocean racing, part of “Infinite Foil” finalist for JEC Innovation Award 2025.
CW Tech Days are virtual events dedicated to the topics impacting the composites industry today. Access past event recordings and register for upcoming Tech Days.
Reliable news and information on where and how fiber-reinforced composites are being applied — that’s just the start of what you get from our team here at CompositesWorld.
Increasingly, prototype and production-ready smart devices featuring thermoplastic composite cases and other components provide lightweight, optimized sustainable alternatives to metal.
CW explores key composite developments that have shaped how we see and think about the industry today.
Knowing the fundamentals for reading drawings — including master ply tables, ply definition diagrams and more — lays a foundation for proper composite design evaluation.
Performing regular maintenance of the layup tool for successful sealing and release is required to reduce the risk of part adherence.
Bond failures can have severe consequences for manufacturers, including increased scrap rates, damage to brand reputation, costly warranty claims and even safety hazards. These failures often stem from inadequate surface preparation, highlighting the critical importance of surface energy, the substrate's ability to interact effectively with adhesives, coatings or sealants at the molecular level. Brighton Science, with over two decades of experience in investigating bond failures, has found that over 90% of these issues originate from insufficient surface preparation. This webinar will provide a concise overview of surface energy and its crucial role in achieving successful adhesion. By attending this webinar, you will gain valuable insights into the fundamental principles of surface energy and its impact on adhesion. You will learn how to implement WCA measurements as a robust quality control metric and leverage Brighton Process Monitor to streamline surface energy analysis and enhance overall production efficiency. Agenda: Discover how to identify and address critical control points within your manufacturing process that significantly impact bond quality Learn how other companies have successfully utilized water contact angle (WCA) measurements to generate rapid, safe and reliable data for integrating surface energy as a crucial quality key performance indicator (KPI) Explore Brighton Process Monitor, a powerful application within the BConnect networked surface monitoring system
Through this case-study style webinar, you’ll discover how Multi-Ply, a leading composite parts manufacturer, recently optimized its composite production planning with Plataine’s AI-powered solution. This webinar will detail how Plataine’s AI scheduling solution, designed specifically for composite manufacturing, minimizes delays, optimizes resource allocation and drives higher throughput. You’ll hear directly from Multi-Ply’s team about their journey to digitize planning and create accurate, large-scale production plans in minutes. Learn how automated scheduling allowed them to overcome the unique challenges of composite manufacturing, improving production accuracy, managing bottlenecks and optimizing factory resources. Gain actionable insights to automate your composite production planning, increase plan accuracy, respond quickly to production issues and leverage simulations supporting strategic decisions and growth in composites.
Understanding the complexities of curing prepregs is crucial in composite material research. This study offers an in-depth exploration of prepreg cure failure modes drawing upon the capabilities of an encapsulated specimen rheometer that meets ASTM D7750. Central to the investigation are five determinants (out time, temperature, ramp rate, pressure and layup orientation) and their effects on a select grade of prepreg. By examining these parameters, the study highlights the optimal conditions and presents insights into cure states and viscosity levels, aiming to further the reliability and performance of composite materials.
Composite materials are being successfully adopted for certification and low initial rate production (LRIP) in eVTOL aircraft variants today. As demand for eVTOL grows, vehicle build rates will increase and the challenge of high-rate composite production will become a reality. Syensqo is developing composite material solutions to meet the most demanding requirements for eVTOL's vehicles of today and tomorrow. This presentation will focus on the key drivers and Syensqo's approach to unlocking the full potential of composite materials for eVTOL blades. Agenda: A review of the advanced air mobility market status The future challenges facing composite materials adoption Key drivers for advanced air mobility rotor blades Syensqo's advanced materials solutions for blades
As the aircraft interiors industry increasingly moves towards circular and sustainable solutions, it's crucial for the supply chain to adopt these innovations to stay competitive. Advanced thermoplastic composites present significant advantages, including faster production, improved recyclability and reduced weight. Join Toray for this insightful webinar where they will dive into the latest developments in thermoplastic composites and their applications in aircraft interiors. Toray will explore how these materials enable the efficient manufacture of parts while improving overall sustainability and meeting the stringent FST standards of the aviation sector. Whether you're a design engineer, materials specialist or industry professional, this session will provide valuable insights into how thermoplastic composites can drive innovation and competitiveness in aircraft interiors.
How does a cutting-edge measurement technology evolve into a solution that drives real-time insights and transforms quality control and efficiency in composites manufacturing for aerospace applications? In this exclusive interview-style webinar, sensXPERT managing director Dr. Alexander Chaloupka will sit down with Jorge Blanco Fernandez, R&T engineer at Ensia (the Spanish entity of Testia, an Airbus Company), to uncover the story of how dielectric analysis (DEA), once a lab-based measurement tool, was transformed into a comprehensive solution for process control in the production of composite aerospace parts. Discover how Testia is constantly seeking new technologies to improve manufacturing processes and chooses dielectric measurement for its potential — only to encounter the challenges of complex data analysis. Learn how sensXPERT took this challenge head-on, turning dielectric technology into a scalable solution with automated data analysis, real-time process adjustments and in-mold material behavior insights that directly connect to quality standards. Agenda: Discovering dielectric measurement technology Complying with industry regulations The transformation to a full solution The sensXPERT process control solution Benefits and impact on aviation manufacturing
The annual Conference on Composites, Materials, and Structures (also known as the Cocoa Beach Conference) is the preeminent export controlled and ITAR restricted forum in the United States to review and discuss advances in materials for extreme environments. The Conference started in the 1970s as a small informal gathering for government and industry to share information on programs and state-of-the-art technology. Attendance has grown to nearly 500 people while preserving this same objective to share needs and trends in high-temperature and extreme environment materials, and the latest information on advanced materials and manufacturing processes. The five-day conference program includes two to three parallel sessions per day on topics including thermal protection materials, ceramic matrix composites, carbon-carbon materials, ballistic technologies, hypersonics, and gas turbine engines. Attendees are engineers, scientists, managers, and operational personnel from the turbine engine, aviation, missiles and space, and protective equipment communities. These communities include the Navy, Air Force, Army, MDA, NASA, DARPA, FAA, DOE, engine manufacturers, missile and aircraft manufacturers, commercial space companies, and material and component suppliers. Participation is limited to U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents only with an active DD2345 certification.
Plan to be a part of the 2025 Transformative Vertical Flight (TVF) meeting! TVF2025 comprises three events: the 11th Biennial Autonomous VTOL Technical Meeting, the 12th Annual Electric VTOL Symposium and the Short Course on Electric VTOL. TVF 2025 is supported by the VFS Arizona Chapter and will take place Feb. 3–6, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
The International Conference on Composites Materials (ICCM) is the premier international conference in the field of composite materials and was first held in 1975 in the cities of Geneva and Boston. Since that time the conference has been held biennially in North American, European, Asian, Oceanic and African cities. The event will attract the leading researchers and practitioners, to report and exchange ideas on the latest developments in the advancement and exploitation of a wide range of composites materials and structures.
The International Conference on Polymers and Composites (ICPC) aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of polymers and composites. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of polymers and composites.
JEC World gathers the whole value chain of the composite materials industry in Paris (France) every year and is “the place to be” for composites professionals from all over the world. The event brings together not only all major global companies, but also innovative startups in the field of composites and advanced materials, experts, academics, scientists, and R&D leaders. JEC World is also the “festival of composites”, offering a unique showcase of what composites can offer to various application sectors, from aerospace to marine, from construction to automotive, and an unlimited source of inspiration for participants from these industries.
The Summit consists of a range of 12 high-level lectures by 14 invited speakers. Topics are composites-related innovations in automotive/transport, space/aerospace, advanced materials, process engineering, as well as challenging applications in other markets like architecture, construction, sports, energy, marine and more. High-ranked speakers are from China, Japan, USA, and Europe. Attendees are managers of CEO and CTO level in leading companies, engineers, scientists, and professionals from throughout the advanced materials and processes industry and universities. The conference day starts at 9 AM and ends with a networking dinner in the Pullman with outside a magnificent view on the Eiffel Tower. It is an outstanding occasion for networking with interesting colleagues and meeting new contacts.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Jetcam’s latest white paper explores the critical aspects of nesting in composites manufacturing, and strategies to balance material efficiency and kitting speed.
Arris presents mechanical testing results of an Arris-designed natural fiber thermoplastic composite in comparison to similarly produced glass and carbon fiber-based materials.
Cevotec, a tank manufacturer, Roth Composite Machinery and Cikoni, have undertaken a comprehensive project to explore and demonstrate the impact of dome reinforcements using FPP technology for composite tanks.
Initial demonstration in furniture shows properties two to nine times higher than plywood, OOA molding for uniquely shaped components.
The composite tubes white paper explores some of the considerations for specifying composite tubes, such as mechanical properties, maintenance requirements and more.
Foundational research discusses the current carbon fiber recycling landscape in Utah, and evaluates potential strategies and policies that could enhance this sustainable practice in the region.
A look at how emerging technologies for FRP concrete provide alternatives to traditionally used steel and glass fibers that are more cost-effective and address the sustainability challenge.
Collins Aerospace explains how thermoplastics are integral to the company’s efforts to improve propulsion and reduce costs in aircraft manufacturing. Featured is a nacelle system that will help meet production demand of 80 aircraft per month.
Riblets reduce drag, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise while boosting power output, flow rates, speed and efficiency.
CarbonTT’s quadraxial NCF composite chassis adds 185-kilogram capacity to Borco Höhns’ 3.5-ton Fiat Ducato market vehicle.
Netherlands consortium advances cryogenic composites testing, tank designs and manufacturing including AFP, hybrid winding, welding of tank components and integrated SHM and H2 sensors for demonstrators in 2025.
Following the previously discussed coupon-level testing element, subcomponent and component testing are the next steps in designing crashworthy composite structures.
GreenPoxy 56’s bio-content and mechanical performance add to the MADskis team’s development of hand-crafted, eco-conscious, low-impact natural fiber skis.
Riblets reduce drag, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise while boosting power output, flow rates, speed and efficiency.
Composites fabricators and components users can now reliably calculate the eco-footprint of their products using these resins.
Under the Circular Foam initiative creating systematic approaches for efficient rigid polyurethane (PU) foam recycling, Circularise’s DPPs are advancing secure information traceability for recycling and consumers.
Testing results after recycling of nlcomp’s thermoplastic composite using Composite Recycling’s thermolysis-based process validates each technology’s potential for high-value composite output.
Various recycling methods are being considered for composites, from novel dismantling and processing, to building capacity and demonstrating secondary use applications.
In the Automated Composites Knowledge Center, CGTech brings you vital information about all things automated composites.
CW’s editors are tracking the latest trends and developments in tooling, from the basics to new developments. This collection, presented by Composites One, features four recent CW stories that detail a range of tooling technologies, processes and materials.
Closed mold processes have many advantages over open molding. In this knowledge center, learn the basics and vital tools needed to produce parts accurately.
The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.
CompositesWorld’s CW Tech Days: Infrastructure event offers a series of expert presentations on composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.
Explore the cutting-edge composites industry, as experts delve into the materials, tooling, and manufacturing hurdles of meeting the demands of the promising advanced air mobility (AAM) market. Join us at CW Tech Days to unlock the future of efficient composites fabrication operations.
Thermoplastics for Large Structures, experts explored the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition to large-part manufacturing.
Explore the technologies, materials, and strategies that can help composites manufacturers become more sustainable.
CompositesWorld’s Tech Days: Design, Simulation and Testing Technologies for Next-Gen Composite Structures is designed to provide a multi-perspective view of the state of the art in design, simulation, failure analysis, digital twins, virtual testing and virtual inspection.
Explore the technologies, materials and strategies used by composites manufacturers working in the evolving space market.
Explore the latest technologies and strategies involving bonding and welding, essential processes in the assembly and manufacturing of composite materials, providing reliable methods for joining components.
During this CW Tech Days event, sponsored by Composites One, experts will offer presentations to review and evaluate the composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in the infrastructure and construction markets.
In these sessions, experts will discuss the emerging hydrogen economy and the opportunities for composites in this lucrative space.
A report on the demand for hydrogen as an energy source and the role composites might play in the transport and storage of hydrogen.
This collection features detail the current state of the industry and recent success stories across aerospace, automotive and rail applications.
This collection details the basics, challenges, and future of thermoplastic composites technology, with particular emphasis on their use for commercial aerospace primary structures.
This collection features recent CW stories that detail a range of tooling technologies, processes and materials.
Collaborative effort between KraussMaffei and entrepreneur Peter Karacsonyi led to the Vanguard, an in-situ polymerized board comprising fiberglass sandwich composites with a recyclable polyamide.
It needs “pop” to take off. The new skateboard from Kape retains this feature much longer than conventional wooden decks. Source | Hannes Mautner
After more than 10 years of development, and with the help of KraussMaffei’s (Parsdorf, Germany) production equipment, Peter Karacsonyi, founder and CEO of Kape Skateboards, has developed a board option made of glass fibers reinforced with recycled polyamide, a considerably more sustainable option than previous wooden models. The first small series, the “Vanguard” deck, was launched at the end of August and sold out within 5 hours.
According to Karacsonyi, professional skateboarders who ride laminated wooden skateboards have to change them frequently, as the boards — called “decks” — splinter easily and lose their tension due to microcracks. This then requires more energy to “lift off” during tricks. For Karacsonyi, an enthusiastic skater and skateboard builder since childhood, it was clear that something had to change. More “pop,” better performance, more sustainability and simpler production processes were his goals.
Karacsonyi has been tinkering since 2014. He initially began with a pressed multilayer system made from wood veneers and carbon fiber. He was able to convince two investors with the idea on the TV show “Höhle der Löwen” and sold several thousand boards.
However, this was not enough for Karacsonyi. When the technology could no longer be improved, he came up with the idea of casting skateboards instead of pressing them, using organosheets made of fiberglass and adding a ribbed structure via injection molding. It was already clear at this point that the material used should be a thermoplastic, because the recycling possibilities are improved. The concept was developed and patented, but ultimately not implemented because the cycle times would have been too long due to the high wall thickness and the complexity of the process.
Karacsonyi next turned his attention to in-situ polymerization. In this process, the plastic is not processed in granulate form, but its basic materials only react with each other in the mold itself. For the polyamide, this is caprolactam plus activator and catalyst. Caprolactam is as liquid as water. The process, therefore, promised particularly good penetration of the glass fibers. In contrast to injection molding, it would also make it possible to produce a sandwich composite in a one-shot process. A foam body developed in-house (also made of polyamide) was to serve as a lightweight core material. After a manual test had shown that his concept worked, Karacsonyi set out in search of industrial partners to manufacture the deck — which ended in frustration. Suppliers in Austria and Hungary did not deliver the desired quality and the collaboration proved to be less than cooperative.
Peter Karacsonyi with his innovative Vanguard composite skateboard, which is produced using KraussMaffei manufacturing equipment. Source | Leo Rosas
Karacsonyi, therefore, went “all in” and decided to take the production of the Vanguard into his own hands. This meant looking for a suitable production system consisting of a mold carrier, mold, dosing machine and automation. In order to be able to realize his vision financially, he acquired research funding and brought investors on board. Since 2019, the focus has been exclusively on the composite deck; production of the previous boards has been discontinued.
The chemistry with the KraussMaffei team in Georgsmarienhütte/Harderberg was right from the outset, enabling them to overcome challenges together. In addition to mechanical flexibility — for process-specific reasons, the mold carrier had to be as flexible as possible — KraussMaffei’s technology enabled them to surpass all of the unusually high mold temperature that caused headaches.
Normally, 40-60°C prevail here, but 140-160°C were needed for the skateboard. As a result, many standard components such as cylinders and valves could not be used and had to be replaced with alternatives. In order to keep energy consumption as low as possible and not heat up the entire metal construction, the mold and mold carrier were thermally separated from each other using insulating plates. By using an air cushion, the upper and lower parts can be forcefully sealed together. “The whole thing grew almost organically,” recalls design engineer Florian Jovanovic. The result is a reliable series production process with an optimally coordinated system.
For each board, Karacsonyi’s Kape employees now takes a sandwich made of unidirectional continuous glass fibers and an intermediate foam core and inserts it into the mold. The mold carrier closes, the vacuum is applied and the polyamide components are added. Incidentally, Karacsonyi did not take the easy way out with the caprolactam either. In order to make his board even more sustainable — in addition to extending its service life — he found a supplier for the monomer in Italy that extracts it from fishing nets and industrial waste using chemical recycling.
“Working with Peter on this project was great,” says Giulio Bonazzi chairman and CEO of Aquafil SpA (Arco/Trento, Italy). “Producing the skateboard with Econyl caprolactam was a real challenge, yet unique experience. And what made it even better was the fact, that we shared the same sustainable values with the team — that made the difference.”
After around 6 minutes, the tool opens and the 80 × 21-centimeter Vanguard skateboard can be removed. The only rework required is the removal of a wafer-thin polyamide edge and the 0.7-millimeter-thick sprue, which is done with a knife. The visible structure of the deck characterizes the look, only clear varnish and a screen print are applied.
Those purchasing the Vanguard only have to screw on their trucks and wheels and they’re ready to go, without the worry of splintering or breaking, but with “pop” that lasts and the feel and sound of wood. This has been confirmed by previous test riders, including several Olympic athletes and Kape team rider Levi Löffelberger.
According to the partners, the production of skateboards had remained more or less the same since the 1970s. The composite technology from Karacsonyi/ Kape with equipment from KraussMaffei is now changing that.
Cryomotive’s CRYOGAS solution claims the highest storage density, lowest refueling cost and widest operating range without H2 losses while using one-fifth the carbon fiber required in compressed gas tanks.
As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
Flat tank enabling standard platform for BEV and FCEV uses thermoplastic and thermoset composites, overwrapped skeleton design in pursuit of 25% more H2 storage.
After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.
Elevated Materials makes its mission to deliver reclaimed high-quality aerospace carbon fiber to a variety of industries.
The laptop-sized WALKCAR automatic people mover is constructed from Teijin thermoplastic carbon fiber composite materials.
KraussMaffei supported, coordinated and delivered compact production equipment tailored to design and process needs for high-quality automotive rims.
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