Features

On 6–8 March 2018, Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre in Paris, France, will host the annual exhibition JEC World. Much like the sector it represents, the composites industry's flagship event appears to be going from strength to strength, reports James Bakewell.

The founding of SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (SGL-ACF) in 2009 by carmaker BMW and carbon fibre producer SGL Group sparked unprecedented activity across the composites and technical textiles industries—especially in Germany. However, with its most recent models, BMW has moved away from car bodies based purely on carbon fibre composites and, as was always possible, has now withdrawn from SGL-ACF. What does this mean for carbon fibre and the automotive industry? asks Adrian Wilson.

Deborah Maxwell, Associate Patent Attorney at Potter Clarkson, explains the key components of an effective strategy for intellectual property, outlines a four-step process for developing such an approach and addresses how to keep it up to date as a business evolves. 

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Charlotte Brandt from technical textiles specialist Arville reviews the advances that have been made in the development of antiballistic fabrics, examining the challenges that continue to be met by manufacturers.

John McCurry spoke to the two principals behind the specialist airlaid machinery builder Rando Machine Corp to learn about the company’s philosophy towards supplying the evolving needs of its customers around the world.

Lively debates on topics of importance to the industry, together with many examples of the latest commercial innovations, held the attention of several hundred attendees of one of the sector’s most important annual conferences. Adrian Wilson reports for Technical Textiles International. 

The establishment of Dornier Composite Systems and the Dornier CS Technology Center reflect the growth in opportunities Lindauer Dornier and others see for advanced weaving technology in the composites market, reports Adrian Wilson.

Associate Patent Attorney Deborah Maxwell believes that many businesses undervalue their intellectual property and makes a case for why they should pay more attention to protecting these most valuable assets.

The commercialization of automated tape laying (ATL) and automated fibre placement (AFP) processes is growing rapidly, and these technologies are eclipsing what can be achieved with conventional three-dimensional (3D) weaving or multiaxial knitting, says Adrian Wilson.

Stäubli is best known for its weaving machinery, but sophisticated mechatronic technologies are at the heart of many of the Swiss company's latest developments, reports Adrian Wilson.