Through its involvement in the VIBES project, Flipts & Dobbels has contributed to the VIBES collaboration’s latest breakthrough: the successful manufacture of a carbon and natural fibre panel made with a bisphenol-free epoxy resin using resin infusion techniques. This achievement marks an important milestone in the development of sustainable, high performance composite materials.

Flipts & Dobbels has been supporting the VIBES project for over four years, working with industry innovators to advance the development of bio-based composites by leveraging recyclable epoxy resins, lignin-based carbon fibres and natural flax reinforcements. These materials align with the VIBES goal of reducing environmental impact whilst maintaining high performance standards.

As part of the VIBES collaboration, manufacturing specialists Juno Composites explored key innovations, including the impact of moisture content in natural flax textiles on mechanical performance. This research, which paralleled some of the Alliance European Scientific Council ’s own work on moisture sensitivity, emphasizes the need for relying on the technical know-how of flax reinforcements manufacturers.

“The VIBES project has demonstrated that to fully realize the potential of flax fibers in performance composite applications, all aspects of the entire flax fiber production process, from seed selection to textile manufacturing, should be considered. With more than a hundred years’ experience of working with flax, our company is proud to support the continuous improvements delivered by the VIBES project.” said Caroline Flippts, Flipts & Dobbels.

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting its members like Flipts & Dobbels, as they lead the way in developing greener solutions.

Posted: October 22, 2024

Source: Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp

DuPont Kevlar® EXO was first introduced to the life protection market in April 2023, enabling body armor with an unprecedented combination of flexibility and lightweight strength from an aramid fiber. In fuel bladders, it significantly enhances performance by providing superior resistance to impact and abrasion. This improvement in strength allows for the development of lighter yet highly reliable fuel bladder systems, meeting stringent FIA requirements while reducing overall weight by more than 20 percent. Kevlar EXO thus plays a crucial role in enabling the creation of high-performance products that prioritize safety and efficiency.

“The first time we tested Kevlar EXO, we knew it was going to be game changing. We have not seen any new innovation or technology like this in fuel bladders in decades,” said ATL CEO Giles Dawson. “With the weight savings Kevlar EXO enables, we are excited to see how we can further collaborate to bring even more innovative FIA-certified products to the industry. Our development focus for the 2026 regulations where every race car will utilize with fully sustainable fuel, this innovative new material has provided several benefits in our development efforts.”

Drawing on their combined knowledge and expertise in safety, design, racing industry certification, mechanical testing capabilities, and research and development, DuPont and ATL worked together to ensure the new fuel bladder complies with FIA safety standards. This successful collaboration has ultimately led to the transformation of the way F1 fuel bladders are constructed.

After the success of the initial program, DuPont and ATL plan to expand their collaboration to explore how they can apply the learnings from F1 fuel bladders to other racing industries such as NASCAR, IndyCar, and Le Mans.

“This collaboration goes beyond the fact that Kevlar EXO is DuPont’s biggest fiber innovation in more than 50 years. It also further proves the variety of game changing applications the material can have outside of military and defense, allowing us to take a front row seat in new industries,” said DuPont Global Commercial Leader for Kevlar® EXO Jill Clements. “The performance we’re seeing from Kevlar EXO has enabled us to look to new markets, applications, and industries, and we’re excited about what’s next.”

Posted: October 18, 2024

Source: DuPont

The majority of the capital comes from longtime investors, including Michael Marks, Carbitex’s executive chairman. Marks, with 40 years of experience leading and transforming technology companies, including Flextronics and Tesla, is currently a founding managing partner at Celesta Capital and has served as a board director for more than 20 companies.

“Carbitex has made significant progress, assembling a capable team and laying a solid foundation for future growth,” Marks said. “I’m impressed by their progress and confident the company is set for an exciting future.”

After returning to an operational role as Carbitex’s President in 2023, founder Junus Khan led the company’s restructuring, including the appointment of Patrick Sinner to vice president of Brand Product Development in 2023, and Filippo Sartor to vice president of Global Sales and Sam Gardner to the role of vice president of Engineering and Operations earlier this year. Since then, the company has realigned with its vision and with a team prepared to drive innovation and growth.

“I’m proud of what our team has accomplished,” Khan said. “We’ve tackled hard challenges head-on and built a stronger, more agile Carbitex. This investment positions us to take the next step, and I’m excited about the breakthroughs we have in store that will push the boundaries of performance footwear and advanced materials.”

Carbitex’s patented materials are integrated across multiple footwear categories including run, cycling, soccer, watersports, snowboard, and most recently, golf. The company partners with leading shoe brands including Altra, Speedland, Lake, Scott, PAYNTR Golf, and FootJoy, as well as bag and accessory brands Tumi, Pitaka, and Porsche Design.

Posted: October 17, 2024

Source: Carbitex

Carbon fabrics for lucrative applications

The innovative global player’s exhibition in Shanghai clearly focuses on developments in the carbon market. In hall 4, at stand C27 of the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center, tailor-made reinforcement textiles will be presented, which can be used in a wide range of lightweight construction applications. “The demand for carbon composites has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in Asia. We are looking forward to talking to traditional warp knitting customers who want to expand their offering, as well as new customers who want to gather information on applications with these high-performance composite materials,” says Jan Stahr, sales manager for China at KARL MAYER’s Technical Textiles business unit.

At KARL MAYER, they will not only find the right multiaxial warp knitting machine to produce high-performance reinforcement fabrics for composite materials but will also receive useful know-how gained from years of experience.

Warp knitting machines with weft insertion and a convincing price-performance ratio

In addition to the textile and application show in Shanghai, there will be a machine presentation during an in-house show accompanying the trade fair at KARL MAYER (CHINA) in Changzhou. The event begins on October 13. Two innovative warp knitting machines with weft insertion aimed at the volume market will be on show: a second generation TM WEFT for the production of lightweight fabrics with weft insertion for outerwear fabrics and interlinings and the newly developed WEFT GRID ECO machine.

The TM WEFT was included in the exhibition program due to the high demand and positive feedback during the last in-house show. On display will be a model with a 247” working width, carbon bar equipment and functional optimization. Thanks to the advanced development of the crank box system, a 20-percent increase in performance has been achieved with the new release. The TM WEFT will be producing an outerwear article during the in-house show.

The new WEFT GRID ECO is specified for the efficient production of “light” glass grid structures from materials with gauges of up to 400 tex in the weft inlay and warp inlay thread area. These textiles are mainly used in the construction industry, for example as plaster grids or crack tape. When developing the machine, the focus was more than ever on the price-performance ratio.

“The working width is 245“, and the speed is 1,800 rpm, making the WEFT GRID ECO up to 12-percent faster and 20-percent cheaper than our all-purpose machine WEFTTRONIC II G,” explained Jan Stahr.

Thes sales manager is looking forward to the first participation in a major international trade fair in Asia since the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to Chinese customers, he is expecting a large international audience.

Posted: October 9, 2024

Source: The KARL MAYER GROUP

Fenner Precision Polymers is a recognized industry leader delivering custom engineered solutions that are backed by more than 100 years of manufacturing, technical and commercial expertise. Over that time, it cultivated a devoted customer base, many with highly specialized markets and applications, including aerospace, aggregates, data centers, distribution and fulfillment, and food and beverage processing, among others.

Vincent Peter, the managing director of the Fenner Precision Polymers business line noted: “In our determination for growth, we’ve had numerous acquisitions and divestitures over the years, resulting in multiple brands that sometimes fragment us and introduce confusion for customers and prospects. A more unified product alignment will reduce that confusion and instill trust.”

Transformation Objectives

In undertaking the large-scale transformation in company structure, Fenner Precision Polymers seeks to achieve three key objectives:

1. Greater prioritization and simplification of its work;
2. Keeping the customer at the center of everything it does; and
3. Think globally and act locally for business excellence.

Ultimately it is about focusing efforts to create a cross-functional organization set up for success. Beyond streamlining processes to align priorities the transformation will further grow the company’s expertise in specific product categories. It helps maintain constant engagement with customers for gathering feedback, as well as leveraging best practices globally to help team members grow and succeed in local markets.

Signs of Transformation

Fenner Precision Polymers’ commitment to this global product family approach is best seen through the unveiling of its newly redesigned website. By providing a seamless user experience and intuitive navigation, the website serves as a powerful tool for engaging customers and driving business growth. It logically showcases a full spectrum of solutions via a single website versus disjointed geographic offerings scattered among multiple, uniquely branded sites.

In providing one seamless user experience and intuitive navigation, the website simplifies internal operations and serves as a powerful tool for engaging customers and driving business growth. It also delivers a more convenient user experience where visitors can quickly locate installation guides, product specs, and other resources.

“We believe that our new global product family will lead to greater understanding and engagement with the brand,” Peter added. “This realignment clarifies who we are and what we offer in the eyes of our customers, making it easier for them to work with us. At the same time, we do so in a way that retains brand equity in the products they have come to trust and rely upon.”

For customers and stakeholders, this realignment signifies a strengthened commitment to delivering innovative solutions that meet evolving market demands. It ensures they receive consistent, high-quality products and services backed by Michelin’s legacy of excellence and sustainability.

Posted: October 4, 2024

Source: Fenner Precision Polymers — a Michelin Group Company

He will follow these fundamental topics with an overview of current R&D efforts taking place in the industry that are helping create new products for emerging and growth applications. Steve will discuss the use of chopped and continuous carbon fiber for thermoplastics and will break these two applications down by polymer type, including polypropylene, polyamides, polycarbonates/PC-ABS, and high-performance engineering thermoplastics.

Steve will also discuss the emerging use of recycled carbon fiber. “The recycled fiber community is becoming more prominent, with companies focusing on recovering and reusing carbon fiber from products such as decommissioned wind turbine blades, discarded laptop housings, and production waste,” Bassetti commented. “Fiber sizing plays a critical role in helping create value-added products from these recycled materials.”

The Carbon Fiber conference will be held October 8-10, 2024, at the Charleston Marriott in Charleston, S.C.

Posted: October 2, 2024

Source: Michelman

Since the early 1970s, when it manufactured the first composite skis at industrial scale, Hexcel has been a trusted partner to the winter sports industry. Today, Hexcel supplies a comprehensive portfolio of products, including HexPly prepregs, Polyspeed® laminates, and Modipur® polyurethanes, to industry leaders such as Elan, Fischer, Kästle, Stöckli, Tecnica Group (Blizzard and Nordica brands), and Völkl.

A member of The Winter Sports Sustainability Network (WSN), Hexcel has long been at the forefront of environmental sustainability efforts in the industry. HexPly Nature Range is the result of a multi-year development initiative, during which Hexcel collaborated closely with its customers to ensure the new bio-derived prepregs met the rigorous OEM qualification and production standards while maintaining exceptional performance on the slopes.

“At Tecnica Group, we pride ourselves on delivering high-performance skis that meet the rigorous demands of our customers and the environment,” said Alberto Zanatta, chairman of Tecnica Group. “Partnering with Hexcel to incorporate its Nature range of bio-derived prepregs into our series production process has been seamless. Hexcel’s advanced composite technology and commitment to sustainability have enabled us to transition smoothly without compromising the performance or consistency of our skis in series production and out on the mountain. This choice is perfectly compliant to the Action Plan for carbon footprint reduction and products’ circularity the Group is taking towards a more sustainable future.”

The HexPly Nature Range version of M78.1-LT prepreg offers the same high quality and consistency as its predecessor, as well as rapid curing, robust handling, and outstanding adhesion to aluminum, wood, and thermoplastics. Hexcel provides a variety of HexPly M78.1 standard products, from lightweight fleeces for bonding to heavier weight glass fiber reinforcements, tailored to ensure an excellent cost/performance ratio. Additionally, Hexcel has developed superior carbon fiber-based prepregs for high-performance ski applications.

Posted: September 16, 2024

Source: Hexcel Corp.

On September 24 from 9:45-10:45 a.m., attendees are invited to join, panel member, Ted Fetterman, vice president of Sales and Marketing at BRM, at the “Textiles for the New Space Age – Maturing R&D Stage Concepts Across Industry and Academia” panel on the show flow. This campfire session will delve into the development of advanced textiles for space environments, and the panel will discuss concept development, partnerships, and the prototyping and testing of materials both on Earth and in space.

BRM’s fabrics feature custom weave designs and high-performance fibers or fiber combinations. These patterns are created for specific end-use applications and can be customized for various industries, including aerospace, medical, safety, and commercial sectors. The technology and capabilities can also be adapted for new applications.

Among the materials to be showcased are E-WEBBINGS, which are woven fabrics of traditional fibers combined with functional elements like conductivity, light transmission, and sensors. Composites, fabrics containing multiple unique fibers to leverage the different inherent properties of each component fiber, will also be featured. Tapes and Webbing with Superior Properties such as high strength-to-weight ratio, chemical resistance, and low elongation will be on display. Additionally, BRM will highlight its Materials on Planet Mars, which includes engineered fibers and fabrics used by NASA, ESA, and commercial contractors for near and deep space applications. This includes the 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material developed for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads, named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year.

The Advanced Textiles Expo is the premier event for the textile industry, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to showcase cutting-edge products, technologies, and solutions. The Expo is where industry stakeholders and leaders connect, learn, and make purchases in order to grow their businesses.

Posted: September 3, 2024

Source: Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM)

Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter

The Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter brings advance slitting technology to Fairway Products, designed to offer enhanced efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness. Key features include:

• High Precision: Utilizing cutting-edge technology, the Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter delivers precise slitting – cut widths to 1 inch minimum.
• Enhanced Efficiency: With high-speed processing and automation, the Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter significantly increases production capacity.
• Sustainable Operation: The system’s energy-efficient design and reduced waste align with Fairway Products’ commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices.
• Versatility: This Duplex slitter can handle various materials with easily adjustable settings meeting the needs of diverse applications, with the ability to slit narrow goods.

Pathfinder CNC

Complementing the Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter, the Pathfinder CNC offers superior capabilities in cutting for unmatched precision, cost-savings, and flexibility. Highlights include:

• Precision Engineering and Cut Capacity: The Pathfinder CNC ensures exceptional accuracy in cutting, maintaining consistent product quality – material widths up to 90″ wide can be converted.
• Increased Productivity: Automated features and rapid processing speeds enhance production efficiency, enabling Fairway Products to produce complex components quickly and accurately.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for a wide range of applications, the Pathfinder CNC supports the diverse industries served.

ATOM F1 EDI Die Cut Machine

The ATOM F1 EDI Die Cut Machine further enhances Fairway Products’ manufacturing capabilities with cutting edge die-cutting technology. Key features include:

• High-Quality Cutting: The ATOM F1 EDI delivers precise and consistent die-cutting, ensuring high-quality finished products.
• Operational Efficiency: With its robust and reliable design, the machine offers high-speed operation, improving overall production throughput.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed with ease of use in mind, the ATOM F1 EDI features an intuitive interface, reducing setup and adjustment times increasing operational efficiency.

“We are excited to integrate the Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter, Pathfinder CNC, and ATOM F1 EDI Machine into our production line,” said Mike Richardson, Director of Operations at Fairway Products. “These investments reflect our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence, enabling us to deliver top-tier products to our clients while maintaining our sustainability goals.”

Industry professionals are invited to visit Fairway Products’ facility to witness the capabilities of the new equipment firsthand. Demonstrations and tours can be arranged by contacting Mike Richardson, at michael.richardson@acmemills.com.

For more information about Fairway Products, the Dri-Tec Duplex Slitter, the Pathfinder CNC, and the ATOM F1 EDI Die Cut Machine, please visit www.acmemills.com.

Fairway Products

Fairway Products, an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility, is a leading provider of innovative manufacturing solutions, dedicated to delivering high-quality products and services to a diverse range of industries. With a focus on quality precision, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, Fairway Products continues to set the standard in manufacturing excellence.

Posted: August 14, 2024

Source: Acme Mills – Fairway Products

Unyte® products are used in textile market applications such as ballistics, healthcare, appliances, roof underlayment, geotextiles, and unbonded glass insulation. Each application has unique performance and functional requirements including Durable Water Repellency (DWR), chemical and oil repellency, adhesion resistance, binding, processability, lubricity, and thermal stability.

Lauren Hickey, Michelman’s Senior Global Marketing Manager, Fibers & Composites, stated, “Historically, some PFAS-containing products may have been over-engineered. The number of synthetic chemicals that fall within the PFAS category is vast – in fact, nearly 15,000 chemicals have a PFAS designation. Recently the EPA has placed a renewed emphasis on limiting any potential impacts from PFAS, requiring manufacturers to select PFAS-free alternatives. Identifying which performance benefits are critical for a given application, and comparing the performance benefits of available alternatives, are important steps in selecting PFAS-free solutions. The Unyte® portfolio does not contain any substances of concern (SoCs), helping brand owners mitigate environmental risk.”

Hickey continued, “There are several global regulations that differ between countries and states. Likewise, enforcement dates vary. There are high financial penalties for noncompliance, and several fluoropolymer manufacturers have committed to exiting the market.”

Steve Bassetti, Michelman’s Global Marketing Director, Fibers & Composites, added “Michelman’s purpose is Innovating a Sustainable Future. We’re an EcoVadis Gold rated manufacturer and are proud of that standing. EcoVadis is the world’s largest provider of business sustainability ratings. None of our brands, including Unyte®, are formulated with PFAS or PFAS-containing raw materials. That commitment has put us in a position to help manufacturers of technical textiles meet the new EPA regulations while maintaining performance standards.”

To learn more about the expanding line of Unyte® solutions, please visit Michelman in booth #1306 at Techtextil North America, being held August 20-22, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Posted: August 14, 2024

Source: Michelman