03/03/2020
If you hear mention of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRPs), you – like many designers and engineers – will likely think immediately of Formula 1 cars, racing bikes and fighter jets.
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02/03/2020
Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) first appeared around 40 years ago, for use in automotive components and far from being a short-lived comeback trend, it looks as though they are here to stay, thanks to a raft of applications showcasing their capabilities across multiple sectors.
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29/01/2020
Carbon composites are in high demand across the globe, particularly in the aerospace, automotive, mechanical engineering and rail sectors. However, as many of these materials were developed decades ago, modern analytical and synthetic techniques have the potential to improve these materials, whilst also lowering production costs and producing greener more energy efficient products.
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06/01/2020
Traditionally, torque wrench calibration machines have generally been intended for specific manufacturers’ products. For laboratories and OEMs this can be a real nuisance, requiring several different machines to cover each torque wrench manufacturer; which can be expensive and takes up a lot of bench space. For this reason, a truly universal calibration machine is a godsend.
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05/11/2019
The extreme high-speed laser deposition welding? (EHLA) method, which is significantly faster than conventional laser deposition welding, was developed and patented by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) with the primary aim of executing coating processes very quickly with low layer thicknesses for rotationally symmetric components. Now, laser system manufacturer, TRUMPF is putting it into series production.
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04/11/2019
Plastics pose a problem for the planet – from the fossil fuels used to produce them to the harmful chemicals released during their slow degradation. But plastic is so ubiquitous that giving it up presents a complex challenge.
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05/09/2019
MakerBot has announced the launch of Method X, a manufacturing workstation engineered to challenge traditional manufacturing with real ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) material, a 100°C chamber, and Stratasys SR-30 soluble supports to deliver exceptional dimensional accuracy and precision for complex, durable parts. Method X is capable of printing real ABS that can withstand up to 15°C higher temperatures, is up to 26% more rigid, and up to 12% stronger than modified ABS formulations used on desktop 3D printer competitors. Real ABS parts printed on Method X have no warping or cracking that typically occurs when printing modified ABS on desktop platforms without heated chambers.
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04/09/2019
In a comprehensive joint study, Henkel and RLE International have examined and validated the potential of high-performance structural foam for lightweighting in automotive body and closure parts. The study has revealed that fibre reinforced polymer components with structural foam ribbing and reinforcements can save more than 40 kg of weight per car compared to conventional all-metal designs.
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03/09/2019
Featuring top-level suppliers providing cutting-edge design and engineering solutions, Engineering Materials Live promises to make a visit more than worthwhile.
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04/06/2019
Rock stars have been smashing guitars for decades, few with more enthusiasm than Swedish guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen. Global engineering company Sandvik decided to test its cutting-edge techniques by building the world’s first all-metal, unbreakable guitar and letting Malmsteen unleash his smashing skills upon it.
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03/06/2019
Aerospace applications are seeing a considerable rise in the innovative use of thermoplastics, as their strength and lightness makes them ideal for replacing metal parts.
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31/05/2019
Intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind power are an increasingly viable option for small and large-scale power applications thanks to improvements in energy storage.
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30/05/2019
The co-located FAST and Engineering Materials Live exhibitions gave visitors a range of valuable insights.
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01/03/2019
The use and availability of new materials sometimes not merely enhances an existing design or process, it revolutionises it entirely. As a global leader in materials manufacturing, Morgan Advanced Materials has more experience than most of this phenomenon and has developed a proprietary leachable material which significantly cuts investment casting times in turbine engine blades by up to 20%.
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28/02/2019
There can be few hotter topics in the materials sector than the use of plastics. For more than 50 years, global production and consumption of plastics have continued to rise. In 2016, the world produced around 335 million tonnes. However, continued support for the introduction of bio-based products continues to gain momentum, suggesting that wider market penetration is around the corner. Market data shared at the 12th European Bioplastics Conference last November indicated: “Global production capacities of bioplastics are expected to grow by 20% in the next five years.”
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27/02/2019
One of the more significant applications in the aerospace sector is the new wind tunnel model of the Leonardo tiltrotor AW609 manufactured by CRP Technology for Leonardo Helicopter Division (Leonardo HD, formerly known as Agusta Westland).
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26/02/2019
The National Composites Centre (NCC) and Composite Integration have successfully completed a year-long project to design and deliver a state-of-the-art, first of its kind, Large Scale Resin Infusion (LSRI) technology. This innovative system has been designed to meet the R&D demands of both aerospace and wind industry manufacturing where components can range from 17m up to 120m in length.
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02/11/2018
Aircraft landing gear has historically been manufactured with the same kinds of materials due to high safety records. Now, a UK project will use composites to reduce their weight by nearly a third, whilst also retaining their strength.
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01/11/2018
By applying PVD coatings to surgical instruments, implants and other medical devices, OEMs can increase value and differentiate products with functional properties.
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31/10/2018
With additive manufacturing (AM) techniques being widely adopted in industries worldwide, design engineering and manufacturing are undoubtedly being ushered into a new era of development. But, how environmentally sustainable are AM materials?
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30/10/2018
Once again, Engineering Materials Live has offered a superb venue for materials suppliers and end users to meet and exchange ideas.
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07/09/2018
CeraCon is a foam sealing company, based in the Midlands. it offers a unique foam sealing process as an alternative to self-adhesive, manually applied gaskets.
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06/09/2018
Although it may seem innocuous, the impact of debris and weather (in particular rain) on a wind turbine blade can cause significant damage. Based on a 2mm diameter droplet and an 80m/s tip speed, the pressure imparted by a raindrop is estimated at 120MPa – higher than the yield stress quoted for some blade materials.
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05/09/2018
In Modena, homeland of supercars and motor valley of Italy, Energica Motor Company has utilised F1 and Le Mans technologies and engineering to produce ‘Energica EGO’, the first high-performance full-electric motorcycle.
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04/09/2018
When it comes to automotive and other consumer-facing industries focused on producing high volumes of parts at low costs, the current generation of AM processes is considered incapable of meeting these needs.
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