JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #85 - November/December 2013 - 10

Opening
- In brief ......................... p10
Axis Composites opens its
new 3D weaving capability
GE opens ceramic matrix
composites mass
production plant for next
generation jet engines
Bristol and National
Institute of Aerospace
collaboration
Boeing and Hexcel expand
Aerospace Composites
Malaysia facility by 40
percent
Solvay partners with Aonix
for thermoplastic compos-ites mass production
- 2013, a turning point
for CPIC ........................ p11

Axis Composites opens its new 3D
weaving capability
The company recently commissioned
a 3D weaving loom to manufacture
prototype 3D fabrics and demonstrate
the special properties of these hi-tech
textiles. The preform can be woven into a
multitude of different widths, thicknesses,
patterns, shapes and strengths. Composites from 3D fabrics are highly resistant to
delamination and that makes them very
appealing to manufacturers with strength
and weight challenges.

advanced composite research and education.
The agreement, with the Advanced
Composites Centre for Innovation and
Science Doctoral Training Centre (ACCIS
DTC), builds on an existing relationship,
developed through the ACCIS DTC's
well-established Researcher Exchange
Programme, which by inviting worldwide
experts to give seminars increases the
students' awareness of multidisciplinary
research in the composites field.
www.bristol.ac.uk

www.axis-composites.com

GE opens ceramic matrix composites
mass production plant for next
generation jet engines
The 170,000-square-foot factory will be
located in Asheville, North Carolina. The
company plans to hire 340 people over the
next five years and move all the existing
workforce at current machining operation
in Asheville will gradually transition to
the Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC)
components plant. The new facility will
produce high-pressure turbine shrouds,
which will be on the LEAP jet engine, being developed by CFM International.
The LEAP engine, which will enter airline
service in 2016, will power the new Airbus
A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC
(China) C919 aircraft. The partners have
received orders for more than 5,200 LEAP
engines valued at $68 billion.
www.geaviation.com

Partnership

Bristol and National Institute of
Aerospace collaboration
The University of Bristol and the
National Institute of Aerospace
(NIA) have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding to collaborate in areas of

Solvay partners with Aonix for
thermoplastic composites mass
production
Solvay Specialty Polymers has reached an
agreement to acquire a financial interest in
Aonix Advanced Materials, a developer of
advanced composite materials and manufacturing systems.
The partnership aims to accelerate the
development and commercialization of
mass-produced, thermoplastic composites
made of Solvay's high-performance polymers for end-use markets including mobile
electronics, automotive, oil and gas, and
sporting goods.
www.solvayplastics.com
www.aonixcorp.com

Boeing and Hexcel expand
Aerospace Composites Malaysia
facility by 40 percent
The joint venture expansion aims to
support increased production by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Aerospace
Composites Malaysia (ACM) produces
flight surfaces next-generation 737, 747-8,
767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.

Announcement

Companies & Business

in brief

The 17 million USD investment adds
125,000 square feet to a factory footprint
that now totals 440,000 square feet, and
the project includes a clean-room expansion of 11,000 square feet and installation
of 5 million USD in new equipment. ACM
is expected to grow its high-tech manufacturing workforce beyond its current 950
employees, furthering its position as the
region's leading employer.
www.hexcel.com

10 jec composites magazine / No85 November - December 2013

http://www.bristol.ac.uk http://www.axis-composites.com http://www.solvayplastics.com http://www.aonixcorp.com http://www.geaviation.com http://www.jeccomposites.com http://www.hexcel.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #85 - November/December 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #85 - November/December 2013