CompositesWorld

MAR 2017

CompositesWorld

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COLUMNS 4 From the Editor CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan assesses carbon fiber's future in high-volume automotive manufacturing. 6 Past, Present & Future Guest columnist and aero industry consultant Kevin Michaels sees airframers emphasizing throughput and cost control. 10 Perspectives & Provocations CW regular Dale Brosius sings the praises of this industry's often under-appreciated technical service representatives. 12 Gardner Business Index Steve Kline, Jr., addresses the state of the US composites industry, based on the Gardner Business Index for January 2017. » DEPARTMENTS 14 Trends 46 Calendar 47 Applications 48 New Products 50 Marketplace 50 Ad Index 51 Showcase » ON THE COVER Brazil's electric power industry was built on hydroelectric power. But during droughts, water flow and energy generation suffer. During a drought, the stiff winds in the Brazil's northeast region are actually stron- ger. This has spawned a wind energy sector complementary to hydropower, of which Aeris Energy (Caucaia, Brazil) is a key part. CW recently toured its facility (see p. 36). Source / Wellington Fernandes FOCUS ON DESIGN 52 Carbon Composite Driveshaft: Tailorable Performance Racing and aftermarket specialist QA1 Precision Products Inc. (Lakeville, MN, US) designs and produces custom driveshafts for multiple transportation markets. By Sara Black CompositesWorld (ISSN 2376-5232) is published monthly and copyright © 2017 by Gardner Business Media Inc. 6915 Valley Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45244- 3029. Telephone: (513) 527-8800. Printed in U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, OH and additional mailing offices. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CompositesWorld Magazine, 6915 Valley Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45244-3029. If undeliverable, send Form 3579. CANADA POST: Canada Returns to be sent to IMEX Global Solutions, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 Canada. Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. The information presented in this edition of CompositesWorld is believed to be accurate. In applying recommendations, however, you should exercise care and normal precautions to prevent personal injury and damage to facilities or products. In no case can the authors or the publisher accept responsibility for personal injury or damages which may occur in working with methods and/or materials presented herein, nor can the publisher assume responsibility for the validity of claims or performance of items appearing in editorial presentations or advertisements in this publication. Contact information is provided to enable interested parties to conduct further inquiry into specific products or services. FE ATURES 28 Composites in Class A Body Panels: Evolution Continues Class A is a qualifier for the surface finish of automotive body parts. For composites, it means that flatness, smoothness and light reflection is equivalent to that attainable with steel. Low-density SMCs lead the way in the new "multi-material" automotive landscape as fiber-reinforced polymers make new headway in auto components that must meet the Class A standard. By Ginger Gardiner 36 CW Plant Tour: Aeris Energy, Caucaia, Brazil Brazil installed 2.75 GW of wind energy capacity in 2015 alone. Its wind energy sector now employs more than 41,000 people. This young, up-and-coming composite wind blade manufacturer is already a key player in that market growth. Founded to serve the Brazilian wind energy market, Aeris Energy is poised to do much more. By Jeff Sloan 47 36 28 14 MEMBERSHIPS: CompositesWorld.com 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH 2017 / Vol: 3 N o – : 3

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