Features

Automobili Lamborghini has been synonymous with cutting-edge innovation in the sports car world. Ahead of launching the first hybrid plug-in V12 high performance electrified vehicle, the company has unveiled a solution it says is unique in today’s automotive landscape

Bio-Composites: can plant-based additives and fillers become mainstream? Kathrin Schilling, BioPowder’s founder & director reports.

With International Women’s Day in the news Composites in Manufacturing is interviewing women who have decided to make engineering their career. In this Q&A we hear from Donna Green, Curriculum Lead, Technical, at the Isle of Wight College of further education, including the Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing & Marine (CECAMM), about her experience as a CAD engineer and subsequent time at the college teaching and encouraging people into the profession

Considering the fire, smoke, and toxicity (FST) properties of the materials used in transport systems, such as buses, trains, and trams, can mean the difference between life and death. Reinforced fibre composites designed to resist the spread of fire and suppress smoke and toxic gases can give people valuable seconds and minutes to evacuate in an emergency.

Generally, composites, such as glass fibre and carbon fibre, are popular materials among manufacturers because of their light weight and mechanical properties compared to traditional materials, such as steel and aluminium. Composites can also be designed to take advantage of special coatings that help aid their integration into a product while improving functionality. Patrick Loock, segment business owner for products and applications at composite tubes and profiles manufacturer Exel Composites, discusses how composites manufactured with thermoplastic functional coatings can allow more control of properties such as friction, adhesion, and finish.

As 2022 draws to a quick close, Composites UK, the Trade Association for the UK composites industry, reflects on its key achievements over the past 12 months.

According to Mirka UK’s business sector manager of transport & industry Chris Brook, the company continues to provide its customers with innovative and versatile cutting-edge products.

In this Q&A session Gregory Haye, director of additive manufacturing at Airtech, discusses the company’s development of 3D printing processes and materials for moulds used in composite part production.

Luke Vardy, CEO of Cygnet Texkimp, explains how the DEECOM long-form fibre recycling solution works, and what it means for circularity and sustainability in the composites industry.

Neil Anderton, Slack & Parr’s hydraulics & industrial director discusses the role of precision metering in high-volume composite production.

Ben Sharp, technical director of Devon-based specialist engineers and systems developers, Sharp & Tappin describes how the company is helping customers meet the latest composite cutting challenges.