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Successful testing of lightweight catamaran
Reinforced Plastics Volume 60, Number 6 November/December 2016
APPLICATIONS
Applications World record for 3D printed composite part A 3D printed trim-and-drill tool, developed by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to be evaluated at The Boeing Company, has received the title of largest solid 3D printed item by Guinness World Records. The lower cost trim tool was printed 30 hours using carbon fiber and ABS thermoplastic composite materials, which will be tested in building the Boeing 777X passenger jet. The 3D printed structure 17.5 ft long, 5.5 ft wide and 1.5 ft tall and weighs approximately 1650 pounds. ‘The existing, more expensive metallic tooling option we currently use comes from a supplier and typically takes three months to manufacture using conventional techniques,’ said Leo Christodoulou, Boeing’s director of structures and materials. ‘Additively manufactured tools, such as the 777X wing trim tool, will save energy, time, labor and production cost and are part of our overall strategy to apply 3D printing technology in key production areas.’ Guinness World Records judge Michael Empric measured the trim tool, proved it exceeded the required minimum of 0.3 m3,
Michael Empric measuring the record-breaking 3D printed tool.
or approximately 10.6 ft3, and announced the new record title. ‘The recognition by Guinness World Records draws attention to the advances we’re making in large-scale additive manufacturing composites research,’ said Vlastimil Kunc, leader of ORNL’s polymer materials development team.
Boeing plans to use the additively manufactured trim-and-drill tool in the company’s new production facility in St Louis, MI, USA. The tool will be used to secure the jet’s composite wing skin for drilling and machining before assembly. ORNL; www.ornl.gov
Successful testing of lightweight catamaran A team of marine engineers has successfully completed a month long program of water testing of its AC Test (AC45 Turbo) catamaran. The vessel was made using Thin Ply prepreg materials, lightweight glue films and automated tape laying (ATL) technology supplied by North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a supplier of lightweight prepregs.
Groupama Team France, which built the boat, plan to sail it in the next round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (LCACWS). 0034-3617/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.repl.2016.10.015
338
Reinforced Plastics Volume 60, Number 6 November/December 2016
Using the materials allowed the design team to improve the lay-ups and fiber orientations in the aft wing flaps, removing critical weight high up in the yacht’s wing rig, the company says.
Groupama Team France, which built the boat, now plan to sail it in the next round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (LCACWS). This event, to be sailed in the AC 45F catamarans, will be
APPLICATIONS
held in Toulon, France, from 9 to 11 September.
NTPT; www.thinplytechnology.com
AutoNaut, a UK company which makes carbon fiber autonomous vessels designed for scientific ocean research has secured investment from the Seiche Group to advance its research and development, assure long-term growth and develop business across UK and international markets. In September 2015, Seiche agreed its first investment in AutoNaut and this new deal sees them take a majority stake in the company. AutoNaut Ltd is the new name for the company previously trading as MOST (Autonomous Vessels) founded in 2012. The investment from Seiche will provide additional resources for R&D and manufacturing as well as administrative support. Seiche will also help to expand all sales and marketing activity. AutoNaut Ltd designs and manufactures wave-propelled boats, equipped to operate as an autonomous marine data collection hub. A fleet of craft is now in production in a range of sizes to suit multiple applications across the oil & gas, renewables, civil engineering, research and science sectors as well as for defence, security and surveillance. ‘Seiche’s investment gives us a great opportunity to take our AutoNaut business to the next level of growth and to tackle the
APPLICATIONS
Investment in composite unmanned surface vessels
The 5 m AutoNaut vessel named ‘Jura’.
expanding global market for specific applications of marine autonomous systems,’ said David Maclean, executive director of AutoNaut. ‘In four years we have taken a revolutionary wave propulsion technology, proved it is seaworthy, and turned it into a
widely capable marine data collection hub to gather and transmit data from below, above, and at the surface of the world’s oceans. Now, with Seiche’s investment, AutoNaut can realize its full potential.’ AutoNaut; www.autonautusv.com
Solar Impulse completes historic round-the-world flight De´cision SA, official supplier of the composites structures for the Solar Impulse team, and North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a provider of lightweight prepreg materials, have celebrated Solar Impulse 2’s successful completion of the world’s first round-theworld solar-powered flight. The zero-fuel Solar Impulse 2 aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi, completing the final leg of its 40,000 km trip. De´cision, based in Ecublens, Switzerland, was responsible for the production of the main carbon fiber composite structures for both the HB-SIA prototype and the current Solar Impulse 2 aircraft, including the wing’s longitudinal beams, the fuselage,
The Solar Impulse 2 under construction at De´cision SA. 339
APPLICATIONS
Applications World record for 3D printed composite part A 3D printed trim-and-drill tool, developed by researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to be evaluated at The Boeing Company, has received the title of largest solid 3D printed item by Guinness World Records. The lower cost trim tool was printed 30 hours using carbon fiber and ABS thermoplastic composite materials, which will be tested in building the Boeing 777X passenger jet. The 3D printed structure 17.5 ft long, 5.5 ft wide and 1.5 ft tall and weighs approximately 1650 pounds. ‘The existing, more expensive metallic tooling option we currently use comes from a supplier and typically takes three months to manufacture using conventional techniques,’ said Leo Christodoulou, Boeing’s director of structures and materials. ‘Additively manufactured tools, such as the 777X wing trim tool, will save energy, time, labor and production cost and are part of our overall strategy to apply 3D printing technology in key production areas.’ Guinness World Records judge Michael Empric measured the trim tool, proved it exceeded the required minimum of 0.3 m3,
Michael Empric measuring the record-breaking 3D printed tool.
or approximately 10.6 ft3, and announced the new record title. ‘The recognition by Guinness World Records draws attention to the advances we’re making in large-scale additive manufacturing composites research,’ said Vlastimil Kunc, leader of ORNL’s polymer materials development team.
Boeing plans to use the additively manufactured trim-and-drill tool in the company’s new production facility in St Louis, MI, USA. The tool will be used to secure the jet’s composite wing skin for drilling and machining before assembly. ORNL; www.ornl.gov
Successful testing of lightweight catamaran A team of marine engineers has successfully completed a month long program of water testing of its AC Test (AC45 Turbo) catamaran. The vessel was made using Thin Ply prepreg materials, lightweight glue films and automated tape laying (ATL) technology supplied by North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a supplier of lightweight prepregs.
Groupama Team France, which built the boat, plan to sail it in the next round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (LCACWS). 0034-3617/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.repl.2016.10.015
338
Reinforced Plastics Volume 60, Number 6 November/December 2016
Using the materials allowed the design team to improve the lay-ups and fiber orientations in the aft wing flaps, removing critical weight high up in the yacht’s wing rig, the company says.
Groupama Team France, which built the boat, now plan to sail it in the next round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (LCACWS). This event, to be sailed in the AC 45F catamarans, will be
APPLICATIONS
held in Toulon, France, from 9 to 11 September.
NTPT; www.thinplytechnology.com
AutoNaut, a UK company which makes carbon fiber autonomous vessels designed for scientific ocean research has secured investment from the Seiche Group to advance its research and development, assure long-term growth and develop business across UK and international markets. In September 2015, Seiche agreed its first investment in AutoNaut and this new deal sees them take a majority stake in the company. AutoNaut Ltd is the new name for the company previously trading as MOST (Autonomous Vessels) founded in 2012. The investment from Seiche will provide additional resources for R&D and manufacturing as well as administrative support. Seiche will also help to expand all sales and marketing activity. AutoNaut Ltd designs and manufactures wave-propelled boats, equipped to operate as an autonomous marine data collection hub. A fleet of craft is now in production in a range of sizes to suit multiple applications across the oil & gas, renewables, civil engineering, research and science sectors as well as for defence, security and surveillance. ‘Seiche’s investment gives us a great opportunity to take our AutoNaut business to the next level of growth and to tackle the
APPLICATIONS
Investment in composite unmanned surface vessels
The 5 m AutoNaut vessel named ‘Jura’.
expanding global market for specific applications of marine autonomous systems,’ said David Maclean, executive director of AutoNaut. ‘In four years we have taken a revolutionary wave propulsion technology, proved it is seaworthy, and turned it into a
widely capable marine data collection hub to gather and transmit data from below, above, and at the surface of the world’s oceans. Now, with Seiche’s investment, AutoNaut can realize its full potential.’ AutoNaut; www.autonautusv.com
Solar Impulse completes historic round-the-world flight De´cision SA, official supplier of the composites structures for the Solar Impulse team, and North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a provider of lightweight prepreg materials, have celebrated Solar Impulse 2’s successful completion of the world’s first round-theworld solar-powered flight. The zero-fuel Solar Impulse 2 aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi, completing the final leg of its 40,000 km trip. De´cision, based in Ecublens, Switzerland, was responsible for the production of the main carbon fiber composite structures for both the HB-SIA prototype and the current Solar Impulse 2 aircraft, including the wing’s longitudinal beams, the fuselage,
The Solar Impulse 2 under construction at De´cision SA. 339