Composites in the News Last Week
A look at the news this week: Composite Resources announced a $3.5 million expansion, which could add up to 50 jobs in the area. The company will add a 60,000-square foot facility adjacent to its current site. ZCL Composites Inc. acquired Dualam Plastics Inc. The move is designed to expand ZCL’s presence in the corrosion market. Reichhold Inc. and AOC announced price increases of $0.06 per pound on polyester resins and $0.09 per pound on vinyl ester resins sold in North America.
The Danish National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy announced a breakthrough in efficient energy generation—lasers. A laser-based anemometer built into the spinner will predict how the wind blows. Danish-based Vestas received another order this week, this time from German Nordwind Handels GmbH for 40 wind turbines. California-based Nordic Windpower ramped up production of its lightweight, two-blade wind turbines.
Meanwhile, Hyundai is showcasing its first plug-in hybrid, Blue-Will. The concept model incorporates carbon fiber-reinforced plastics and nano composites into the side sills, moldings, and fenders. A U.K. consortium, comprised of companies such as Federal-Mogul and Advanced Composites Group, have developed a lower-cost manufacturing method for brake discs to be made from manufacturing scrap.
Maine governor John Baldacci says the state is pushing for additional federal transportation funds to continue implementation of moneysaving approaches such as composite bridge construction. Speaking of bridges, a composites-enhanced bridge was installed in the Philippines. The 535 meter Amburayan Bridge features composite deck slabs and replaces a steel truss bridge. And composite pipe manufacturer DeepFlex has installed Mark Kalman as its new Vice President of Engineering.
Composite experts at NASA Langley are testing the new all-composite space capsule for possible use of future spacecraft designs. The testing is expected to run through March. In other news, the first Tecnam light sport aircraft using both carbon fiber composites and metal is expected to arrive in the U.S. from its factory in Italy this month. Also, AAR was named the exclusive supplier of composite interiors for the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, giving the company the potential for a $60 million contract. Meanwhile Aurora Flight Sciences successfully completed its critical design review for Sikorsky’s CH-53K main rotor pylon program and engine nacelles assembly.
Magnum Marine unveiled its largest yacht, the Magnum 100′ model, which is expected to be ready for delivery by 2012. Goodrich received a $49 million contract from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to provide composite components for the next eight Virginia Class nuclear fast attack submarines. The International Yacht Restoration School, based in Rhode Island, will launch a full-time Composites Technology Program in 2010. Finally, colleges across the UK worked together to coordinate a five day joint delivered epoxy composites program through the LLN Engineering Curriculum Group.
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