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Smaller ultrasound camera
TECHNOLOGY
Phenolic prepregs for interiors
Epoxy vinyl ester in blade manufacture
US PHENOLIC prepreg supplier Lewcott Corporation is introducing new prepregs and adhesives for aircraft, marine and other interior applications.
ACCORDING TO to researchers at Ashland Performance Materials, epoxy vinyl ester resins can improve the economics and speed of wind turbine blade manufacture compared to epoxy resins.
The Lewcott LC family of phenolic prepregs are said to be self extinguishing and supply the outstanding flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) properties needed for use in aircraft, marine, and other interior applications. They have been qualified against FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) 25.853, ASTM E662-96, and various MIL (US military standard) and customer specific specifications. The phenolic prepregs can be tailored for the following processes: general purpose
or self adhesive; bag grade or press grade; and snap cure or standard cure. Lewcott phenolic prepregs can be reinforced with glass, carbon, or aramid reinforcements and are supplied at widths Lewcott has developed products for a wide range up to 60+ inches. of interior applications. The company also shipboard, or other markets,” supplies fire resistant says Carl Varnerin, Chief epoxy formulations for use Technical Officer at Lewcott. in interior applications. “Several of the prepregs “We have worked very hard have already been qualified over the last couple years to at a number of interior part develop a family of prodsuppliers and manufacturers, ucts that should supply cost and others are in process.” effective solutions for wide Lewcott; range of interior needs, www.lewcott.com whether they be on aircraft,
Smaller ultrasound camera IMPERIUM INC is introducing the Acoustocam i600, a smaller, lighter version of the handheld portable ultrasound imaging camera currently used by companies such as Boeing for the non-destructive inspection (NDI) of composite materials. Imperium reports that the i600 Acoustocam is a smaller and easier to manage device and is built of more rugged material, but contains the same imaging capabilities. It is approximately half the size of the i500 and a third of its weight. “This is a breakthrough for our company and a benefit to the industry which lacked an easy to manage, portable imaging tool for internal damage inspection
REINFORCEDplastics
in the field,” says Bob Lasser, president of Imperium. “This powerful, more rugged and lightweight internal defect detection tool can be held effortlessly overhead, making comprehensive NDI examinations easier and more comfortable for the technician.” Boeing IDS Philadelphia is the first customer to receive the i600. “Boeing recently selected Imperium’s Acoustocam i600 with Remote NDI for its plans to develop an innovative damage assessment process to improve operational readiness in the field for the V-22 Osprey,” reports Matt Atkinson, support equipment design engineer, Boeing IDS. “With
MARCH/APRIL 2010
realtime collaboration over a wireless communication network, sharing real-time images and analysis, this technology should provide a tremendous benefit to our fleet support team.” Boeing Commercial Airplane Group is also said to be planning to upgrade to the i600 to support its plans for damage assessment on the forthcoming 787 Dreamliner.
The research was presented by Kevin Lambrych, global wind energy technology leader for Ashland Performance Materials, at the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) annual trade show in Las Vegas in February. Cost and speed to completion were two advantages highlighted by the research. “When you compare the economics of epoxy blades to epoxy vinyl ester blades in manufacturing, there is an opportunity for a typical manufacturer to save approximately 25-30% per blade,” claims Lambrych. “Derakane epoxy vinyl ester resin also cures much more quickly than straight epoxy.” Lambrych also compared dynamic mechanical properties and found that epoxy vinyl ester resins fall within the requirements established by Germanischer Lloyd, the global organisation that has established performance standards for the wind energy industry.
The i600 price (in pulse-echo configuration) is the same as the existing i500 Acoustocam. The i600 camera head is available as an upgrade to existing systems.
In comparison performance tests, Ashland’s Derakane epoxy vinyl ester resin delivers equivalent strength characteristics to epoxy resin and reaches its final curing stage in one-third less time.
Imperium; www.imperiuminc.com
Ashland; www.ashland.com
www.reinforcedplastics.com
Phenolic prepregs for interiors
Epoxy vinyl ester in blade manufacture
US PHENOLIC prepreg supplier Lewcott Corporation is introducing new prepregs and adhesives for aircraft, marine and other interior applications.
ACCORDING TO to researchers at Ashland Performance Materials, epoxy vinyl ester resins can improve the economics and speed of wind turbine blade manufacture compared to epoxy resins.
The Lewcott LC family of phenolic prepregs are said to be self extinguishing and supply the outstanding flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) properties needed for use in aircraft, marine, and other interior applications. They have been qualified against FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) 25.853, ASTM E662-96, and various MIL (US military standard) and customer specific specifications. The phenolic prepregs can be tailored for the following processes: general purpose
or self adhesive; bag grade or press grade; and snap cure or standard cure. Lewcott phenolic prepregs can be reinforced with glass, carbon, or aramid reinforcements and are supplied at widths Lewcott has developed products for a wide range up to 60+ inches. of interior applications. The company also shipboard, or other markets,” supplies fire resistant says Carl Varnerin, Chief epoxy formulations for use Technical Officer at Lewcott. in interior applications. “Several of the prepregs “We have worked very hard have already been qualified over the last couple years to at a number of interior part develop a family of prodsuppliers and manufacturers, ucts that should supply cost and others are in process.” effective solutions for wide Lewcott; range of interior needs, www.lewcott.com whether they be on aircraft,
Smaller ultrasound camera IMPERIUM INC is introducing the Acoustocam i600, a smaller, lighter version of the handheld portable ultrasound imaging camera currently used by companies such as Boeing for the non-destructive inspection (NDI) of composite materials. Imperium reports that the i600 Acoustocam is a smaller and easier to manage device and is built of more rugged material, but contains the same imaging capabilities. It is approximately half the size of the i500 and a third of its weight. “This is a breakthrough for our company and a benefit to the industry which lacked an easy to manage, portable imaging tool for internal damage inspection
REINFORCEDplastics
in the field,” says Bob Lasser, president of Imperium. “This powerful, more rugged and lightweight internal defect detection tool can be held effortlessly overhead, making comprehensive NDI examinations easier and more comfortable for the technician.” Boeing IDS Philadelphia is the first customer to receive the i600. “Boeing recently selected Imperium’s Acoustocam i600 with Remote NDI for its plans to develop an innovative damage assessment process to improve operational readiness in the field for the V-22 Osprey,” reports Matt Atkinson, support equipment design engineer, Boeing IDS. “With
MARCH/APRIL 2010
realtime collaboration over a wireless communication network, sharing real-time images and analysis, this technology should provide a tremendous benefit to our fleet support team.” Boeing Commercial Airplane Group is also said to be planning to upgrade to the i600 to support its plans for damage assessment on the forthcoming 787 Dreamliner.
The research was presented by Kevin Lambrych, global wind energy technology leader for Ashland Performance Materials, at the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) annual trade show in Las Vegas in February. Cost and speed to completion were two advantages highlighted by the research. “When you compare the economics of epoxy blades to epoxy vinyl ester blades in manufacturing, there is an opportunity for a typical manufacturer to save approximately 25-30% per blade,” claims Lambrych. “Derakane epoxy vinyl ester resin also cures much more quickly than straight epoxy.” Lambrych also compared dynamic mechanical properties and found that epoxy vinyl ester resins fall within the requirements established by Germanischer Lloyd, the global organisation that has established performance standards for the wind energy industry.
The i600 price (in pulse-echo configuration) is the same as the existing i500 Acoustocam. The i600 camera head is available as an upgrade to existing systems.
In comparison performance tests, Ashland’s Derakane epoxy vinyl ester resin delivers equivalent strength characteristics to epoxy resin and reaches its final curing stage in one-third less time.
Imperium; www.imperiuminc.com
Ashland; www.ashland.com
www.reinforcedplastics.com