Headlines (May 24 - May 30, 1999)
E-Composites.com unveils some preferences of customers of
composite materials
Announcing the launch of an AUCTION site at E-Composites.com
beginning June 21
Advanced Composites Group provides complete one stop package
for composite tooling and component manufacture
GKN WESTLAND AEROSPACE AT THE SAMPE EXHIBITION
Vera Clean TM Aerospace Wipes Now Available in a Refillable
Pop-Up Box
Aviation Pioneer Dick Rutan Joins Pear Industries Board
PinkFormXtra(TM) Insulated Concrete Wall System Creates More
Energy-Efficient and Comfortable Homes
Composite Automobile Targets 189 Emerging Nations: The U.S.
Office of Automotive Affairs Projects Growth Rates for Motor Vehicle Sales in Emerging
Markets are Ten to Fifteen Times Higher Than Those in the U.S.
Owens Corning's New Miraflex(R) Multi-Project Insulation
Offers Ultimate Versatility for Insulating Projects
Cade Industries Awarded $11.3 Million in Orders
Composite Fiberglass Bus Makes Debut in Toronto
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-Composites.com unveils some
preferences of customers of composite materials
On May 24th, 1999, E-Composites.com performed a survey of SAMPE visitors and attendees.
The survey response was overwhelmed. According to the survey results, 69% of the composite
users use the Internet as a source to locate material suppliers and service providers
around the globe. According to Joel Slenk of Boeing, Downey, CA, Internet is a wonderful
tool to get material property information, price to strength data, resistance to
environmental effects and other information very quickly. He says "All of these I can
do without calling the manufacturer. Internet saves tremendous amount of my time in
research". The rapid use of the Internet is attributed to the ease of use of Internet
technology for collecting information. Use of the Internet is predicted to grow rapidly in
near future. 26% of the users also use Thomas Register to locate service provider.
According to the survey, majority of users use composite materials because of lighter
weights and higher performance obtainable by composite materials. 51% of the respondents
chose lighter weight as a main reason for material selection criteria versus 46% who
favored higher performance offered by composite materials.
Lack of composite property data and manufacturing difficulties are major challenges for
composite users as stated by 33% of participants in both cases. In the survey, 25% of the
participants responded that a higher material cost is the main hurdle for the selection of
composite materials.
On asking about how and what the customers think about their suppliers, 17% complained
that they have problems with the quality of products delivered to them. Another 16% said
that suppliers clearly do not understand their problem.
Announcing the launch of an AUCTION site at
E-Composites.com beginning June 21, 1999
E-Composites.com, your one stop shop for online composite needs and marketing, has
announced a new service in offering an online AUCTION SITE starting June 21, 1999. Now you
can sell or buy used and unused equipment, materials or products at much more reasonable
prices. Send your product information (with photograph if necessary) and minimum price if
any, to E-Composites.com for listing into auction site. Composite users around the world
can bid on your product for potential buys. Now you can get rid of your unused equipment
and inventory much more easily.
E-Composites.com, an internet based company, offers free weekly newsletter, jobs and
projects opportunities, calender and events, supersaving mall, material suppliers and
service providers directory, material selection guidelines, message boards, and many other
services. The site www.E-Composites.com will help composites industry to keep pace with
rapid advancements in Internet technology. The free weekly composites newsletter provides
news on mergers and acquisitions, new product announcements, technology breakthroughs,
market trends, management changes, trade shows, earnings, and more. The news will keep the
users, professionals and executives at the cutting edge of technology by providing up to
date information on latest developments, challenges and products. Visit
www.E-Composites.com and see for yourself how E-Composites.com can keep you better
informed and help you get ahead in your business.
Advanced Composites Group provides complete one stop
package for composite tooling and component manufacture
The Advanced Composites Group produces advanced composite prepreg materials, which form a
complete "one-stop" package for composite tooling and component manufacture. To
complete the package, the Group manufactures materials for re-usable bagging systems,
backing structures and tooling model materials. Component prepregs suppued by ACG have
been widely used in many market areas, such as Formula I racing cars, structural aircraft
components, aircraft flooring, light aircraft and aircraft prototypes. UAVs, space
launchers, re-usable space shuffles and missile components are another growing range of
applications where ACG advanced composite prepregs have been specified. ACG's specialist
LTMŽ prepregs are providing low cost options for extremely large composite stmctures
cured out of the autoclave and which are dimensionally accurate and capable of high
temperature end-use.
The basic concept of using lower temperature cure to achieve cost savings has been
extended to ACG's ancillary elastomeric materials used in composite processing for caul
plates and re-usable vacuum bags. This range comprises polysiloxane, fluorelastomer and
acrylic elastomer sheet materials which offer low shrinkage, very high temperature
resistance (464oF plus) and high tear resistance. For long part production runs,
consumables cost can be reduced with these systems.
The ACG tooling block range has recently been extended to include a new syntactic dough
which exhibits low shrinkage and controlled thermal expansion coefficient. The syntactic
dough is easily formable, lightweight and machines exceptionally quickly to produce a
highly accurate, stable mold face in a single machining operation.
A bespoke tool design service is available from ACG using a specially developed version of
the ICAD knowledge based software system. This is already widely used in the aerospace
industry and is now available through ACG to provide anything from rapid1 simple
conceptual tool designs through to fully detailed composite tool drawing sets.
ACG have recently launched a second generation of tooling prepregs with their ACG LTM210
series, offering various outlife options of between I and 120 days enabling a closer match
to the end-use application. Improvements in handleability assist the user to build
extremely large, dimensionally accurate, low temperature (typically 80-180oF) cured tools.
Vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM) is currently seen as a potentially cost
effective means of combining reinforcing fibres and resins in large structures. These
reductions are possible due to VARTM systems permiffing the use of low cost tooling
materials and low injection temperature. Low temperature transfer also means preheating of
the tool and the resin can be reduced. ACG have initially introduced three liquid resin
systems specifically formulated for low temperature initial cure and high Tg after free
standing postcure. Development continues with the aim of providing a higher level of
performance to the structures made with this process.
ACG have launched a number of film adhesives offering good structural performance in
combination with prepregs or for subsequent bonding operations. ACG XLTA225 is a low
temperature cure, stmctural film adhesive designed to complement ACG's LTM structural
prepregs. ACG XMTA263 is a "conventional" 248oF cure film offering excellent
performance for general purpose bonding applications.
The comprehensive ACG materials catalogue is now available in two forms - paper version
and CD. ACG operates a controlled catalogue system so that new product information is
automatically sent to customers who are included on our database, and this is due to be
distributed to our US customers in American format during May 1999. With its powerful
search engine, the new CD version of the catalogue will allow customers to review options
on products extremely quickly - a real boost to the process of composite design.
Backing structures to complement the range of toolface prepregs, and which form
light-weight, cost effective space frames, are available from ACG together with associated
adhesives and ancillaries. Lambrace backing boards and the Tubebrace and Quickfrt system
of tubes, I-beams and angles are all available from ACG and are ideal for tool support
structures made from ACG prepregs.
GKN WESTLAND AEROSPACE AT THE SAMPE EXHIBITION
GKN Westland Aerospace are exhibiting at the SAMPE exhibition
at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, USA, May 24th to May 26th
1999. Booth Number 857.
GKN Westland Aerospace will be represented at the exhibition by its specialist-advanced
composite and metallic structures businesses. These now include extensive manufacturing
facilities in the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA, as a result of its major acquisition
program.
The exhibit display will feature the GKN Westland Aerospace world leading RTM (Resin
Transfer Moulding) Technology, its SPF (Super Plastic Forming) capabilities and its
Chemical machining, engine fan casings and bypass ducts businesses. The company produces
structures and components for engines and nacelles, civil and military airframes and
helicopter programs.
A large high definition flat, plasma screen, showing a combined interactive CD-ROM and
video program will support the GKN Westland Aerospace exhibkion display. A dedicated
GKNWAe operator to ensure customer enquiries are dealt with speedily and efficiently, will
operate the terminal. The CD-ROM program enables all the manufacturing sites of the GKNWAe
businesses to be accessed and also enables the extensive range of aircraft programs that
the company is participating to be reviewed. Copies of the CD-ROM will be available for
customers and the media.
At its Connecticut (USA) facilities (formally DOW-UT) GKN Westland Aerospace has developed
an RTM resin system that significantly raises the operating temperature of the material
above that normally associated with BMI resins, and provides a process capable of
delivering significant production benefits, including reduced labor times and lower cost
materials. This resin system can be used for Engine Stators, Engine Inlet cases and Fan
Exit cases. It also has high-speed airframe applications.
GKN Westland Aerospace is a major supplier of structures and components for Airbus and
Boeing programs including the A330 & A340 series and the B747 & B777 series. In
addition it produces RTM Blocker Doors for P&W powered aircraft and has delivered in
excess of 11,000 Blocker Doors. It is also a major supplier of composite structures for
the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F22 advanced fighter aircraft, and also produces engine
nacelles for the Lockheed Martin C130J and the C27J aircraft.
Vera Clean TM Aerospace Wipes Now Available in a
Refillable Pop-Up Box
100 Elm Street, Walpole, Mass., BBA Nonwovens introduces VeraCleanTM Aerospace Wipes
in a new easy dispense, refillable pop-up box. This multipurpose cleaning cloth designed
specifically for the aerospace industry, is available in either flat, 1/4 fold, perforated
rolls, and the new pop-up containers. This easy to use, convenient dispenser box make
VeraClean wipes even more convenient to use, making a fresh, clean wipe available after
each use. The unique plastic corrugated box may be refilled many times, minmizing waste
and reducing cost of the product.
VeraClean Aerospace Wipes are made from natural fiber Rayon, and are ideal for use in any
cleaning or wiping application where low lint, non-abrasive cloth is required. VeraClean
wipes contains no silicone or chemical binders, resulting in a cleaning cloth that can be
used with sealant application without fear of contamination. Highly absorbent, this wipe
is great for use during sealant removal, solvent wiping, or general purpose cleaning.
VeraClean Aerospace Wipes meet or exceed SAE specifications AMS-3819A, Type 2, Grade A.
BBA Nonwovens is a leading designer and manufacturer of nonwoven fabric with worldwide
offices and manufacturing locations. Its products are used in health, medical, personal
care, aerospace, automotive, industrial fabrics, home furnishings, wipes, apparel,
filtration, specialty printing and graphic arts industries. Contact Nancy Maki at
508-660-3302 for more information.
Aviation Pioneer Dick Rutan Joins Pear
Industries Board
TORONTO, Pear Technologies Inc. announced that aviation pioneer Richard G. ``Dick'' Rutan
has joined PEAR Industries' Technical Advisory Board to help establish the use of PEAR
resins within the worldwide multi-billion dollar aviation industry.
In 1986, Rutan commanded the first, non-stop, unrefueled flight around the world in the
Voyager aircraft that he helped design and build. In recognition of this remarkable feat,
President Reagan awarded him the Presidential Citizen's Medal of Honor, making him only
one of 16 recipients of this award in the history of the United States. The Voyager
aircraft, which is made of composite resin, now hangs in the Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, DC.
Mr. Rutan was Commander and Project Director for World Quest, his second attempt to be the
first to fly around the world, non-stop, in a helium balloon before others reached that
goal in 1999.
He was a US Air Force fighter pilot for over two decades, flying more than 325 combat
missions over Vietnam. He was awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses,
16 Air Medals, and the Purple Cross. He has helped design and develop many experimental
military and commercial aircraft during his career, and currently is a world-renowned
lecturer on aviation issues.
``PEAR Industries' resin is ideally suited to the resin transfer molding (RTM)
manufacturing method vital to low-cost, high-unit volume/parts production: a key element
in creating affordable aircraft in the future,'' said Dick Rutan. ``The PEAR resin system
is superior in every physical characteristic of composite materials, especially by solving
the limitation of temperature and premature failure due to fiber inter-laminar shear
exhibited by traditional epoxy matrix formulations.''
PEAR (PolyEther Amide Resin) resins offer practical and economic solutions when used in
aircraft construction. For example, PEAR's 6325 resin is specifically designed for
aircraft applications and has been found to exceed FAA safety standards by 2:1. It is
resistant to fire, heat and stress, and is easy to form. An estimated 12,000 jets will be
retrofitted in the future to meet expected new FAA standards for insulation materials in
the cockpit and passenger areas, representing a potential $2.4 billion marketplace for
PEAR. Under expected FAA regulations, new airline construction will also be required to
use these materials, representing significant additional market potential.
PinkFormXtra(TM) Insulated Concrete Wall System
Creates More Energy-Efficient and Comfortable Homes
TOLEDO, Ohio, Instead of using traditional 2`` x 4''
studs and plywood to frame exterior walls, many builders are now switching to the new
Owens Corning PinkFormXtra(TM) Insulated Concrete Wall System that helps make homes more
energy efficient, comfortable and durable.
The poured-in-place insulation system features two-inch-thick extruded polystyrene panels
that easily lock into place using patented LITE-FORMŽ connectors. Steel reinforcing bar
(rebar) is placed between the foam forms to provide tensile strength, and the forms are
then filled with concrete and allowed to set.
``The PinkFormXtra system acts like a mold to contain and shape the wet concrete. The
rigid foam insulation provides the versatility to construct bays, curved walls and angled
corners,'' said Tony Garone, business manager at Owens Corning. ``Since the panels are
made of strong but lightweight extruded polystyrene rigid foam insulation, they are much
easier to handle and install.''
Once the concrete hardens, it is recommended that the insulation panels be retained to
create a minimum of an R-20 exterior wall, depending on the thermal capacity rating of the
concrete, or they can be stripped away for reuse. Siding or other exterior materials may
be applied directly to the outside panels, and drywall or other interior finishes may be
installed on the inside.
``The concrete and insulation combination used in the PinkFormXtra Insulated Concrete Wall
System helps to eliminate air and moisture infiltration and resist potential storm and
fire damage,'' said Garone.
The walls are ideal for resisting heavy damage from tornadoes and coastal storms. Texas
Tech University's Wind Engineering Research Center found that concrete walls subjected to
a stimulation of flying debris in a 250-mph wind sustained no structural damage.
Composite Automobile Targets 189 Emerging
Nations: The U.S. Office of Automotive Affairs Projects Growth Rates for Motor Vehicle
Sales in Emerging Markets are Ten to Fifteen Times Higher Than Those in the U.S.
EL CAJON, Calif.- Composite Automobile Research announced
today that the Company is aggressively targeting 189 developing nations that have more
than two-thirds of the world's population.
Composite's mission is to aid these developing nations by strategically placing micro
manufacturing facilities within their borders to build infrastructure, create jobs, teach
new skills and act as a magnet for new business, rather than importing vehicles from large
factories located outside the country.
The U.S. Office of Automotive Affairs projects growth rates for motor vehicle sales in
emerging countries to be ten to fifteen times higher than those in the Unites States. Over
five billion people in the world do not have automotive transportation. With automotive
manufacturers slow in meeting the transportation needs of emerging markets, Composite
Automobile has developed a car that eliminates import tariffs and the greatly inflated
selling prices.
Composite Automobile Research, has developed a decentralized ``micro-enterprise'' approach
to auto making that is ideally suited to the needs of emerging nations. The Company has
developed a flexible, changeable, vehicle with less than 500 parts and standardized
manufacturing facilities to drop into nations with little infrastructure. Composite
Automobile Research will license local entrepreneurs and provide them with factories,
parts, and supplies to become automobile manufacturers in their own country. (Most
automobiles manufactured today have approximately 3,200 parts.)
Composite Automobile Research has the infrastructure to mass produce factories to spread
around the world without incurring any debt or ``over selling'' its stock. The Company
also benefits by having six profit centers from the licensing, manufacture and sales of
the WorldStar.
The WorldStar utility vehicle will get over 35 miles per gallon or with a simple switch
can use propane where gasoline is not readily available. The raw materials and components
for the WorldStar will cost the local manufacturer about $4,000. The licensee/manufacturer
adds about 100-200 hours of labor at the local rate and sets the local sales price at
around $7,000, much less than any other new vehicle.
Composite's goal is for worldwide production of two percent of the current new vehicle
market which would equal 1,000,000 WorldStar vehicles per year. The Company maintains a
prototype manufacturing and training facility in El Cajon, California which is dedicated
to the continued success of the WorldStar vehicles.
Owens Corning's New Miraflex(R) Multi-Project
Insulation Offers Ultimate Versatility for Insulating Projects
TOLEDO, Ohio, Choosing the appropriate insulation for a home
improvement project just got a lot simpler with the introduction of Owens Corning's new
Miraflex Multi-Project insulation, the most versatile Miraflex product available.
Miraflex Multi-Project insulation is the latest addition to the Miraflex family of
products, and is currently available in the northeastern United States. The virtually
itch-free, soft-to-the-touch fiber glass insulation is ideal for insulating exterior
walls, attics and floors, as well as interior walls for noise control.
The product's R-value ranges from an R-13 to an R-18 depending on the cavity in which it
is installed. For example, if installed in a 2`` x 4'' wall cavity, the product achieves
an R-13; if installed in a 2`` x 6'' wall cavity, the product achieves an R-17; and if
placed in an open unrestricted space, such as an attic or under floors, it achieves an
R-18 value.
``Miraflex Multi-Project enables consumers and contractors to purchase a single product
for multiple applications,'' said John Pagano, vice president and general manager, Retail
Insulation Business. ``This simplifies decision making and reduces excess insulation at
the end of projects.''
In addition to its virtually itch-free and soft-to-the touch attributes, Miraflex
Multi-Project insulation products come in ultra-compact rolls that are half the size of
conventional rolls, but insulate the same square footage.
Composite Fiberglass Bus Makes Debut
in Toronto
TORONTO- North American Bus Industries Inc. today rolled out what many are calling the
transit bus of the new Millennium: the light-weight, fuel-efficient and long-life
CompoBus, sporting a one-piece composite glass-fibre and polyvinyl resin body.
The futuristic, low floor vehicle generated admiring stares and lots of hope from several
thousand industry officials attending the City Transport Exhibit 99, sponsored by the
International Union of Public Transport (UITP) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The
exhibit runs through Thursday, May 27.
``The CompoBus is the answer to the prayers of public transportation officials in North
America and Europe,'' said Peter Rona, founding chairman of North American Bus Industries,
RT (NABI). ``They have asked for a bus that consumes less fuel, is kind to the
environment, lasts a long time and is simple and easy to repair. CompoBus does it all.''
The bus bodies are built for NABI by TPI Composites, Inc. of Warren, RI, USA with
materials commonly used in the construction of speedboats and yachts. TPI employs a
patented, glass-fiber-reinforced resin molding process known as SCRIMP. The result, said
Rona, is an exceptional strength to weight relationship. At 22,000 lbs.--about 7,000 lbs.
lighter than a conventional bus -- CompoBus operates comfortably with reduced-power
engines. Consequently, it consumes less fuel and emits less exhaust into the environment,
Rona said.
The 40-foot prototype on display in Toronto is powered by a clean-diesel fueled engine and
other standard systems, but CompoBus can also be paired with alternate-fueled power
sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG) or the new hybrid technologies. ``The bus is
environmentally friendly with or without alternate fuels,'' Rona said.
NABI expects the CompoBus to cut expenses for fuel, tires and brakes by as much as 25
percent and to yield significant repair and corrosion savings. In small quantities
CompoBus is expected to cost about 15 - 20% more than a conventional bus; however,
under-full scale production, the price of a CompoBus should approach that of its
conventional counterparts.
When can passengers expect to ride the new bus? ``We're in serious discussions with some
transit agencies as we speak,'' Racz said. ``We are prepared to take orders now for
delivery of buses in 2000. Right on schedule for the bus of the new Millennium.
NABI produces a complete line of standard and low-floor, heavy-duty 31-, 35-, 40- and
60-foot (articulated) transit buses at its facilities in Anniston, Alabama. For further
information or interviews, please contact: Bill Coryell, Vice President of Sales North
American Bus Industries Inc., 530 New Los Angeles Ave., Suite 205 Moorpark, CA 93021; Tel:
805-529-5080 Fax: 805-529-3858.
Cade Industries Awarded $11.3 Million in Orders
OKEMOS, Mich., Cade Industries, Inc. a leading supplier of products and services to the
aerospace and air transport industries, announced today that it has been awarded
additional contracts totaling $11.3 million. The orders are from major U.S. and foreign
airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers, and the U.S. government for products and services
to be delivered through December 2000.
The new orders bring Cade's April 30, 1999 backlog to $80.3 million. Backlog does not
include overhaul and repair work, which constitutes approximately 24 percent of Cade's
revenue.
Work to be performed under the contracts include design, manufacture and upgrade of engine
test hardware, manufacture of aircraft components and Y2K support for engine test
equipment.
Cade Industries President Richard Lund, said, ``These orders from major customers
worldwide, and our growing backlog, illustrate the success of the company's strategy to
diversify and expand its product offerings.''
Cade designs, develops, manufactures, overhauls and repairs high technology composite
components for the aerospace and air transport industries, and is a global leader in the
design and manufacture of jet engine test facilities and related ground testing equipment.
The company's operating subsidiaries are located in Lansing, MI; San Diego, CA; Grand
Prairie, TX; and Minneapolis, MN.
