Lee® Celebrates 130 Years

GREENSBORO, N.C. — November 19, 2019 — Lee®, the iconic American apparel brand known for its quintessential workwear and timeless denim style, celebrates 130 years this month. Founded in 1889 by pioneering entrepreneur, Henry David (H.D.) Lee, Lee was immediately a disruptor in the marketplace. From the early days in 1912 when the company produced workwear for farmers, coal miners and railroad workers, to its current place as a titan in the denim industry, Lee has always been at the forefront of welcomed change.

“Lee helped create the denim category and continues to define modern culture today,” said Scott Baxter, President and CEO, Kontoor Brands. “Lee’s commitment to harnessing innovative technology and incredible quality to bring consumers apparel that looks good and fits great, has inspired generations of brand loyalists and solidified Lee’s position as an icon in the denim category. We are honored to celebrate this milestone and are excited for our beloved brand and its promising future.”

The brand was the first to introduce the one-piece Union-All and the groundbreaking Zipper Fly. By 1939, it was recognized as the largest manufacturer of workwear in the U.S. Preceding WWII, Lee was the first to bring denim to the women’s market in a major way, and forty years later, it became the number one brand for women and girls. Today, Lee can be found across all tiers of distribution throughout the globe, from specialty boutiques and departments stores to mass retailers.

Lee is inclusive in its advertising as well. Never taking itself too seriously, the brand introduced the iconic Buddy Lee doll to promote its overalls in 1921 and used the irreverent mascot for decades.

Hollywood took notice, which propelled Lee to even greater success, and a place in film history. When denim first hit Hollywood in the early 50s, stars were seen in Lee both on and off the screen.

And in the 80’s and 90’s the biggest stars in the world were wearing the iconic label. From musicians, to super models and Hollywood’s rebels and sweethearts, the Lee brand was hotter than ever.

“H.D. Lee would be pleased to see how far the Lee brand has come since its inception,” said Chris Waldeck, Vice President and Global Brand President, Lee. “Today, we honor the brand’s rich history while planning for its future. A future that includes reaching new consumers in new geographies, with best-in-class product and brand experiences. We have built a strong foundation, and I’m confident this next chapter will be the brand’s best yet.”

Retaining the same ethos and mission with which it began, the Lee brand continues to dress consumers with quality products that stand the test of time. With the recent launch of Lee Reissue, Lee MVP, Vintage Modern, and Shape Illusions, Lee continues to push the boundaries of what is possible. Combining timeless styles from its illustrious archives, the most innovative technologies and a legacy of inclusivity – Lee is a brand for every body, and undoubtedly is ready for the next 130 years.

Posted November 19, 2019

Source: Lee®, a Kontoor Brands brand

Siemens Adds Material Modeling To Simcenter Through Acquisition Of Multimechanics

PLANO, Texas — November 15, 2019 — Siemens announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire MultiMechanics Inc., developer of MultiMech finite element software that helps companies virtually predict failure in advanced materials at an unprecedented level of speed and accuracy. The company plans to integrate MultiMechanics into Siemens Digital Industries Software, which will add the ability for customers to create a digital twin of materials by closely integrating materials engineering with part design, performance engineering, and manufacturing through the unique TRUE Multiscale™ technology for a broad range of material-driven applications. MultiMechanics’ technology helps companies to efficiently predict material properties and behavior, including failure starting at the microstructural level, at an unprecedented level of speed and accuracy. This unique technology will be incorporated into Simcenter™ software within Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio, implementing materials engineering into the digital workflow and establishing a pervasive link between material developers, manufacturing process developers and part designers.

“The addition of this technology enables our customers to build a digital twin of materials, which will help to shrink the innovation cycle of new products and materials, possibly saving millions of dollars and several years in development and certification in aerospace, automotive and other sectors,” explained Jan Leuridan, senior vice president, Simulation & Test Solutions, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “Customers will have the ability to fully exploit the potential of advanced materials to optimize weight and performance in an efficient way that is not possible with classical, test-based, approaches.”

“We are excited to join Siemens and the Simcenter family,” says Flavio Souza, president and CTO, MultiMechanics Inc. “The combination of the TRUE Multiscale technology of MultiMechanics with Simcenter 3D software will provide a strong basis for further innovation, enabling an expansion of scope of structural simulation to include multi-physics support for applications such as minimization of part distortion, prevention of voids during material flow, and prediction of viscoelastic acoustic properties.”

Digitalization, or the fourth industrial revolution, is happening today, causing disruption in the process and discrete industries, and blurring boundaries between domains, merging the virtual and real world, hardware and software, and design and manufacturing. In this dynamic environment, the ability to meet rapidly changing consumer preferences and requirements with insights and data is essential and can only be achieved through digital twins that represent and validate what is possible through a complete end-to-end workflow. Siemens‘ acquisition of MultiMechanics further expands the ability to create the most comprehensive digital twin by integrating structural computer-aided engineering (CAE) with detailed materials modeling through TRUE Multiscale technology, for a broad range of materials, including polymers, metals, composites, and ceramics. Manufacturing technologies such as injection-molding and additive manufacturing will see immediate applications, as the digital twin of materials can account for manufacturing variability and imperfections, identify the root cause of material failure at microstructure level, optimize material microstructure for best performance, and enable the creation and virtual testing of new material systems.

“We are confident that as part of Siemens, MultiMechanics’ technology can accelerate innovation in, and adoption of, complex materials, including the further penetration of composites in the automotive and aerospace industries,” said Nicolas Cudré Maroux, chief technology officer of Solvay, a major customer and shareholder of MultiMechanics.

“The accuracy and speed afforded by MultiMechanics, and its efficient integration with commonly used commercial finite element software packages is changing the way we develop new materials and interact with our customers,” added Mike Blair, executive vice president, Research and Innovation Composite Materials at Solvay.

The acquisition is due to close in November 2019. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Posted November 18, 2019

Source: Siemens AG

Fashion Retailer Quiz Partners With True Fit To Enhance Customer Experience By Eliminating Fit And Sizing Guesswork

LONDON — November 18, 2019 — Quiz, the British fast fashion retailer, has partnered with fashion personalization platform True Fit to integrate its True Confidence™ solution onto Quiz’s e-commerce site.

The solution, which supports Quiz’s strategy to enhance the shopping experience for all customers, is now available for customers to use when buying products within any of Quiz’s clothing collections, including the brand’s Curve and Petite ranges.

True Fit’s True Confidence solution uses data collected from Quiz and millions of anonymous shoppers to provide personalized fit ratings and size recommendations based on each consumer’s unique body shape and preferences. This helps customers to choose products they love in the right size for them; reducing the friction and disappointment felt by a customer when a garment doesn’t fit properly; and reducing returns.

Haroun Saleemi, head of ecommerce at Quiz, commented: “True Fit has helped us bring the confidence our customers feel with the in-store fitting room experience, online. By providing recommendations around size, style and fit for each individual shopper, together we can enhance our customers’ journeys with personally relevant experiences and ensure that they love and will keep their purchases.”

Fast fashion retail group Quiz delivers catwalk-style looks and the latest fashion, footwear and accessory trends at affordable prices. Founded in 1993, Quiz began trading with three stores in Scotland. Today, the retailer has over 250 stores and concessions in most of the major shopping centers and high streets across the United Kingdom, where it employs 1,000 members of staff, and also has more than 50 franchises in Europe and Asia.

Jessica Murphy, cofounder and chief customer officer at True Fit, said: “Retailers like Quiz are on a mission to instil confidence in their shoppers, regardless of the occasion, with the trendiest styles and flawless fits. Our mission at True Fit is to instil consumer confidence and loyalty, and we are excited to partner with leading retailer Quiz on this shared objective. We look forward to working with Quiz in bringing data-driven personalization across their trend-conscious customer journey and creating exciting shopping experiences for all women”.

Posted November 18, 2019

Source: QUIZ

Honeywell Expands Production Of Spectra® Fiber, Enabling Growth Of High-Performing Ballistic Materials

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. — November 18, 2019 — Honeywell announced today that it is increasing production capacity of its proprietary Spectra® fiber to meet the demands of global militaries and law enforcement for high-performing and lightweight armor that provides critical protection against a wide range of threats.

Spectra fiber, an ultra-strong, yet lightweight fiber made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), is incorporated into Honeywell’s Spectra Shield® technology for use in advanced armor applications. This fiber expansion demonstrates Honeywell’s commitment to boost the supply to meet the growing need for superior protective gear globally.

“We’re expanding capacity of Spectra fiber by more than 20 percent to increase supply of our best-in-class ballistic products for helmet, vest and plate manufacturers to support the rigorous performance specifications required by militaries and law enforcement around the world,” said Ken West, vice president and general manager, Packaging & Composites, at Honeywell.

“Armor solutions using UHMWPE have become the systems of choice, replacing the aramid fiber-based solutions that once dominated the market. This expansion will enable us to continue to deliver next-generation armor for the industry and meet the demand for low-weight solutions that provide the highest protection levels possible.”

Honeywell’s Spectra Shield portfolio, including the newly introduced Spectra Shield 6000 series, has been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications. From bullet-resistant vests, breast plates, and helmets, to combat vehicles and military aircraft where lightweight solutions and performance are critical. Honeywell’s Shield technology is also capable of combining a variety of aramid fibers and resins to meet specific performance requirements in soft and hard armor applications.

Pound for pound, Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It has up to 60% greater strength than alternate aramid fiber. Spectra fiber is made from UHMWPE using a patented gel-spinning process.

Customers will get a preview of the new Spectra Shield product introductions at this year’s Milipol Paris 2019, November 19-22, in Paris and the SHOT Show, January 21-24, in Las Vegas.

Posted November 18, 2019

Source: Honeywell

The LYCRA Company Announces GRS Certification For Its New LYCRA® EcoMade Fiber

WILMINGTON, Del. — November 18, 2019 — The LYCRA Company, a global supplier of innovative fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, announced its new LYCRA® EcoMade fibers Type 166E and 162E, currently produced in Brazil, have been certified to the GRS (Global Recycled Standard). Lycra EcoMade fiber is the company’s first branded spandex that is made with pre-consumer recycled materials. This offering will be the primary focus of The Lycra Company’s booth at the Kingpins New York denim trade show, November 19-20.

“We’re excited to have received GRS certification for these new products,” said Jean Hegedus, sustainability director, The Lycra Company. The Global Recycled Standard verifies recycled material and includes strict social, environmental and chemical requirements.

Lycra EcoMade fiber offers the same lasting comfort, fit and freedom of movement as the original Lycra fiber, but is made partly with fiber waste collected at the company’s manufacturing sites and blended with virgin polymer at specific concentrations. This reduces waste and puts it back into production.

“We believe sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement that touches every aspect of our business, from reducing energy, water usage and waste at our sites to developing new products with excellent performance and a smaller footprint,” said Hegedus. “As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability under The Lycra Company’s Planet Agenda, we have also set a goal to convert the vast majority of our COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® fiber business to post-consumer recycled versions by 2021.”

Trade show guests are welcome to visit The Lycra Company booth to see its latest innovations for denim designed with sustainability in mind. Kingpins will take place November 19-20 at Basketball City, Pier 36 in New York City. Hours are Tuesday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Posted November 18, 2019

Source: The LYCRA Company

Gunderson Inc. Earns Two Hygienically Clean Certifications

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — November 15, 2019 — Gunderson Inc., a Menasha, Wis.-based provider of uniform and linen rentals to healthcare, industrial and hospitality markets, has recently achieved the Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hospitality certifications. This achievement reflects the company’s commitment to best-management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing. Hygienically Clean is the quantified, validated standard and measure for hygienically clean textiles in North America since 2011.

The certifications confirm Gunderson Inc.’s dedication to compliance and processing textiles using BMPs as described in their quality-assurance documentation, the focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation of critical control points that minimize risk. The independent, third-party inspection confirms essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand legal requirements;
  • The facility is OSHA compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hospitality textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities (for Hygienically Clean Healthcare) and  for hotels, bed and breakfasts and other lodging industry segments (for Hygienically Clean Hospitality). Hygienically Clean certifications acknowledge laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012 and 2017, respectively, Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hygienically Clean Hospitality brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare and hospitality linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean textiles.

“Congratulations to Gunderson on their certifications,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their continued commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted November 15, 2019

Source: TRSA

UNC Pembroke Hosts 22nd Annual Business Visions Awards Banquet: Contempora Fabrics’ Ron Roach Named Business Person Of The Year

PEMBROKE, N.C. — November 14, 2019 — Former N.C. House of Representative George Breece was honored for a lifetime of public service during the 22nd annual Business Visions Awards Banquet at UNC Pembroke.

Breece, an Army veteran and former chairman of the state Military Affairs Commission, is a well-known civic leader and military advocate in Cumberland County. He is the former chairman of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and founding executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics, a position he has held since 1987.

Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings commended Breece for his long history of service as he presented him with the Dr. Collie Coleman Spirit of Unity Award on November 12.

“George brings years of experience, a sense of humility and humor, energy and passion to every conversation and to all of his work to improve Cumberland County and southeastern North Carolina,” Cummings said.

“It’s been George’s life mission to give back to our state, community and the military through his civic involvement for the past five decades.”

Breece serves on numerous civic board and organizations, including chair of Fayetteville Veterans Day Parade, He also helped lead successful restoration efforts for the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery and is a recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine–the state’s highest civic honor.

He is married to Dr. Dena Breece, an associate dean at Methodist University and adjunct professor at UNCP. In accepting the award, he was reminded of his mother’s words: “Service to humanity is the best work of life.”

The award is named for the late Dr. Collie Coleman, a former associate vice chancellor of Outreach, who is remembered as an educator, community activist and leader. He passed away in 2008.

“I am moved by this award. I will cherish this for a long time to come,” Breece said.

Since 1997, the university’s Office for Regional Initiatives recognizes success in the business community by honoring students, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Other award winners included:

  • Mary Elizabeth Williford, Associate of Applied Science Business Administration Student of the Year. A Lumberton native, Williford attends Robeson Community College and has plans to enroll at UNCP.
  • Kyle Chavis, MBA Student of the Year. Chavis, of Lumberton, is CEO of Lumbee Guaranty Bank.
  • Michael Estler, MPA Student of the Year. Estler is from Florida and plans to become a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda.
  • Ricky Harris, Entrepreneur of the Year. He is from Pembroke and owns Dakota Hawk Construction.
  • R. Riveter, Business of the Year. Military spouse-owned company, financially backed by billionaire investor Mark Cuban and housed in Southern Pines.
  • Ron Roach, Business Person of the Year. Roach is president of Contempora Fabrics, a knit manufacturer in Lumberton.
  • Robeson County Arts Council, Nonprofit of the Year. The Lumberton-based organization supports a network of music, art and theatrical events countywide.
  • Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation, Excellence Award for Large Business. LREMC is an electric utility with 52,000 members serving Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties
  • Jack Leggette Farms, Agricultural Excellence. A successful, family-owned and operated farm near Rowland.

Posted November 15, 2019

Source: UNC Pembroke

U.S. Department Of Commerce Finds Dumping And Countervailable Subsidization Of Imports Of Polyester Textured Yarn From China And India

WASHINGTON — November 14, 2019 — Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India, finding exporters from these nations have dumped yarn in the United States at margins ranging from 76.07 to 77.15 percent and 17.62 to 47.51 percent, respectively. Commerce also determined that exporters from China and India received countervailable subsidies at rates ranging from 32.18 to 473.09 percent and 4.29 to 21.83 percent, respectively.

In 2018, imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India were valued at an estimated $45.5 million and $21.6 million, respectively.

The petitioners are Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America, Lake City, S.C.

The strict enforcement of U.S. trade law is a primary focus of the Trump Administration. Since the beginning of the current Administration, Commerce has initiated 187 new antidumping and countervailing duty investigations — a 240 percent increase from the comparable period in the previous administration.

Antidumping and countervailing duty laws provide American businesses and workers with an internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the harmful effects of the unfair pricing of imports into the United States. Commerce currently maintains 498 antidumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is currently scheduled to make its final injury determinations on or about December 30, 2019. If the ITC makes affirmative final injury determinations, Commerce will issue AD and CVD orders. If the ITC makes negative final determinations of injury, the investigations will be terminated and no orders will be issued.

Click HERE for a fact sheet on today’s decisions.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Enforcement and Compliance unit within the International Trade Administration is responsible for vigorously enforcing U.S. trade law and does so through an impartial, transparent process that abides by international rules and is based on factual evidence provided on the record.

Foreign companies that price their products in the U.S. market below the cost of production or below prices in their home markets are subject to antidumping duties. Companies that receive unfair subsidies from their governments, such as grants, loans, equity infusions, tax breaks, or production inputs, are subject to countervailing duties aimed at directly countering those subsidies.

Posted November 15, 2019

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

This Year’s VDMA — Textile Care, Fabric And Leather Technologies Industry Meeting Was Marked By Internationalization And Digitization

BERLIN — November 15, 2019 — This year’s VDMA TFL industry meeting took place on 14 and 15 November in Berlin. For many years, the trade association has been committed to Europeanisation and this year, too, further European members have joined the ranks. “Only together as a European industry can we form an antithesis to the current global framework conditions and remain competitive,” said Elgar Straub, Managing Director of the TFL trade association. The consequences of the trade dispute between the USA and China and the unclear Brexit situation are causing great uncertainty and unrest in the markets. The industry is also feeling this, and strong European cohesion is the necessary response to the current political and economic situation. The importance of Europe was also taken up and discussed in the course of the workshop on “New EU Commission, new political priorities – what does this mean for our industry” during the industry meeting.

“Brave New World” through digitization

Everyone is talking about digitization, but what changes does it bring to society and businesses? Under the motto “Brave New World,” the topic was taken up and various aspects of digitization were discussed. The workshop “Mission possible – step by step towards digitization” dealt with what digitization can look like in a company. Daniel Jung also took up the importance of digitization and called for more courage in digital learning and explained what learning with digital media could and should look like in the future. This is because companies are also facing new times in employee training as a result of new learning. Daniel Jung is one of the most successful German Youtuber in the education sector and helps pupils to understand math.

Frank Rieger, speaker of the Chaos Computer Club, explained what a digitalized world we live in and what dangers exist.

In his China lecture, Sebastian Heilmann explained that digitization brings with it new business models and markets, but also new possibilities for state control. As Professor of Chinese Politics and Economics at the University of Trier and one of China’s best-known experts, he spoke about China’s growing global power, new digital control systems and the implications for European companies. European companies urgently need to deal with the introduction of the “Corporate Social Credit System” in China. This is because it is a new type of Big Data-based regulatory system that involves foreign companies without exception and requires far-reaching adjustments.

In the ensuing discussion, it was agreed that there must be a clear message from the politicians so that fair and free competition can continue to be guaranteed.

Industry meeting with board election

The new board of directors of the trade association was elected for the next four years at the industry meeting.

  • Günther Veit, Managing Director of Veit GmbH, has been re-elected as Chairman,
  • as has Klaus Freese, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of DESMA Schuhmaschinen GmbH.

The VDMA represents more than 3200 companies in the medium-sized mechanical and plant engineering sector.
With 1.35 million employees in Germany and a turnover of 232.5 billion euros (2018), the sector is the largest
industrial employer and one of the leading German branches of industry overall.

Posted November 15, 2019

Source: VDMA — Textile Care, Fabric And Leather Technologies

JEC Asia 2019: Winners Of The JEC Innovation Awards Revealed

SEOUL — November 14, 2019 — The JEC innovation awards is a long-established and worldwide program with three simple goals: identify, promote, and reward the most innovative composite solutions in the world. Over the past 15 years, the JEC Innovation Program has involved 1,800 companies worldwide;177 companies and 433 partners have been rewarded for the excellence of their composite innovations. The JEC Innovation Awards reward composites champions, based on criteria such as partner involvement in the value chain, technicality, or commercial applications of innovations. “Every year, JEC rewards the best cutting-edge and ingenious projects using composites to their full potential in different categories. The JEC Innovation Awards program is emblematic and recognizes pioneers in composite innovation continuously reinventing the composites of tomorrow,” said Franck GLOWACZ, Innovation Content Leader at JEC Group The winners have been rewarded for their innovative solutions in 10 categories:

  • Aerospace

Composite Aileron structure – cured in one step

COMPO TECH PLUS SPOL, s r.o.-Czech Republicwww.compotech.com

Associated Partners:Aero Vodochody Aerospace a.s. (Czech Republic)

Aileron structure of span wise box sectionconnected by a Robot Wound Fibre layer with one-step curing. Process is automated production with no sandwich core structure or secondary bonding.

Key benefits:

  • Strong and reliable structure;
  • No secondary bonding;
  • Continuous outer skin;
  • One process production and curing; and
  • Production process can be automated.

Innovation is in the applying process of robot assisted filament winding and laying for automated production of wing structures. The process involves the winding, with axial fibres, various shaped sections, which form the span wise box beams. The box beams together form the profile of the wing section. Before curing, with the tooling still in place, the outer layers are wound thus consolidating the internal beams and forming the shape of the aileron. The outer surface is then pressed with a flexible vacuum mould at room temperature. The part is then cured in one step and does not need secondary bonded parts. The surface is then finished.

  • Automotive –Exterior

Evolution of Painting for CFRP Auto Body Panels

Hyundai Motor Group-South Korea

www.hyundai.comAssociated Partners:Hyundai Motor Group (South Korea), Mitsubishi ChemicalCorporation (Japan), SkChemicals (South Korea), Hyundai SteelCompany (South Korea), Hyundai MotorGroup -Polymer ReseachLab (South Korea)

This innovation sheds light on the challengesof Class A surface finish by on-line / in-line paintingprocesses. It proposes a new method for producing a CFRP trunk-lid based on PCM and SMC process.

Key benefits:

  • CFRP on-line / in-line painting for mass production, solving ‘color matching’;
  • Achieve Class A surface with the conventional automotive painting process;
  • Energy saving in painting process introduced by low temp. curing 2K Clear coat;
  • Light weight CFRP trunk-lid in 60% weight reduction by design optimization; and
  • High cycle production of 5 minutes cure -PCM Prepreg.

The CFRP parts should be applied to the well-defined engineering procedures with the qualified manufacturing process in fit-for-purpose facilities in the automotive industry. The autoclave process is the most common one for producing high-quality structures in composites industry, however, it has its drawbacks. The recognition of its shortcomings has designed to specially address the need for low-cost and high-quality manufacturing process. This new and multi-material trunk-lid is accepted two novel curing techniques (i.e. PCM and carbon fiber SMC) for the mass production. It has been adopted for the Genesis G70 (winning Motor Trend’s 2019 Car of the Year award) sports, the new luxury sedan fromHyundai Motor Group. It leads to a substantial reduction in the weight (up to 60%, 6.4 kg weight saving compared to conventional

  • Automotive –Structural

Lightweight Engine Bracket using Hybrid Processing

Hanyang University-South Korea

https://sites.google.com/site/hyucomposites/

Associated Partners:Kolon Plastics(South Korea), Hyundai Motors(South Korea)

Lightweight and noise-damping engine bracket is developed using compression molding of chopped and Continuous UD Carbon Prepreg to replace the complex shaped bulky and heavy automotive engine bracket.

Key benefits:

  • 80% lighter than steel;
  • Recyclable using thermoplastic materials;
  • Hybrid process for high stiffness, strength according to complex shape;
  • Excellent damping effect; and
  • Fast production cycle time.

The conventional steel engine bracket is needed tosupport the Engine and reduce the noise and vibration. Since the automotive enginebracket is very complex in shape, it is difficult to manufacture themusing continuous fabrics such as pregreg, woven and NCF. Thermoplastic Carbon UD tapes of KOLONPLASTIC’s Carbon/PA6 are chopped for the majorportion of the complex engine bracket and UD Carbon tapes is inserted to enhance the stiffness and strength and achieve both moldability and stiffness. Very importantly, the developed product can absorb the vibration and noise, as good as the original steel product. To be suitable for mass production, compression molding process is developed, and the cycle time is reduced to less than 10 minutes. This short cycle process significantly contributes the lower price of the mass production. The most important feature of the current product is its lightweight, i.e. 80% weight reduction of the conventional steel product.

  • Electrical, Electronics & Appliances

Soluboard® -New PBC paradigm

Jiva Materials Ltd -United Kingdom

www.jivamaterials.com

Associated Partner:Eco-Technilin SAS (France)

Jiva and Eco-Technilin have created Soluboard®,a revolutionary bio-composite material manufactured with Eco-Technilin’s FlaxTape™. Soluboard® is designed to redefine the way that we manufacture PCBs.

Key benefits:

  • A direct replacement for FR-4 with the same price and improved sustainability;
  • A decrease in impacts from Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE);
  • A decreased carbon footprint generated by electronic and electrical products;
  • Increased yields of precious metal recovery from PCB recycling; and
  • Improved incentives for electronics manufacturers to internalize recycling.

Currently, the substrate used in the Printed Circuit Board industry is constructed using epoxy resin and fibreglass; this means that the only method of recycling PCBs involves shredding them down and incinerating them in order to extract the precious metals used in these boards. This is a very inefficient process with substantial loss of these metals during reprocessing as well as releasing toxins such as cyanide, mercury,and dioxins into the environment.

Currently patent pending, Soluboard® is intended to replace the current standard material used within the industry (FR-4). It is a competitively priced, entirely-biodegradable material that canrival the outdated fibre glass and epoxy alternative. The primary ingredient in the composite material is Eco-Technilin’s FlaxTape™. It is a patented tapeconsisting of unidirectional flax fibres with a lower density than alternative carbon and glass-based fibres. The unidirectional orientation of the flax fibres within FlaxTape™ means they can be efficiently arranged to form the multilayer bio-composite structure of Soluboard®, giving the material strong mechanical properties. FlaxTape™ is also ideal for manufacturing lightweight products with improved mechanical properties and a lower environmental impact. With nearly 45 million Tonnes produced last year, electronic waste is now the fastest growing waste stream in the world. Dissolving a circuit board made from Soluboard® allows for 90% of its components to be reclaimed and then either repurposed or recycled in an overall much more efficient process.

  • Industrial Equipment

New paths in preforming: novel machine and process

M&A Dieterle GmbH-Germany

www.ma-dieterle.de

Associated Partner: Filacon Systems by Tajima GmbH (GERMANY), University of Stuttgart -Institute of Aircraft Design -IFB (GERMANY)

Combine FixedTow laying with with tailored fibreplacement for simplified and optimized preforming:Novel Tailored fixedTow Placement Machine for fastresults and ease of use.

Key benefits:

  • Low cost machine, ease of use and programming;
  • Compatible with established stitching (TFP) machines and process;
  • Independence from material suppliers and flexible material choice;
  • Optimized preform process for improved composite part; and
  • Process control, flexibility, low material scrap, fast results.

Within one year, M&A has developed an efficient machine for tailored automated fixed Tow placement as one step our newly designed process chain for preforming. The machine flexibly lays 2D-preforms, with dimensions: 500 mm x 1.000 mm. The goal of such a machine is to offer customers an entry machine for automated preform manufacturing. The machine was specifically designed to be user friendly, robust, affordable, and functional. In addition, the preforming process chain is overhauled: we produce the entry material for the laying machine. The roving is spread and fixed with powder binder. We call it fixed Tow since it has textile character. This enables the production and use of tailored material to the preforming task. We adjust areal weight, binder content and fiber type of the fixed spread tow. The placement head lays the fixed Tow in a preprogrammed pattern. Users can easily program the pattern themselves. The placement head dispenses the tow, heats and fixes it on a substrate according to the program and lays patterns of short and long segments by cutting the tow. The head was designed for robustness and ease of use: Heating requires no sophisticated lasers but uses small IR lamps. In the system control, you can easily define the shape of the preform and define the placement pattern. The number of layers, tow orientation and number of stacks. With a short 2-day training, any user can fully operate the machine. The machine s a fusion between automated dry fiber placement and a stitching machine(TFP). The 2D preform is therefore placed on a removable frame as is the casein TFP. During layup, the frame moves in the horizontal x-y direction. The placement head can rotate 360° and moves in the z-direction. After laying the textile stack, the frame is transferred to the stitching machine as the next processing step. Subsequent stitching optimizes the preform further: it offers better resin permeability, improves drapability and overall preform stability.

  • Marine

Shape Adaptive Hydrofoil with Fiber-Optic Sensing

University of New South Wales, Amac –Australia

Associated Partner: Defense Science and Technology (DST) – Maritime Division Department (Australia)

A validated optimized methodology for design ofpassive shape adaptive structures. This 1:1 scale 3D part was embedded with fiber-optic sensors and manufactured using Automated Fiber Placement robot.

Key benefits:

  • Light weight composite structural part;
  • Shape adaptive tailored directional stiffness;
  • Automated digital manufacturing aligned with Industry 4.0;
  • Embedded ply-wise optical fiber sensors; and
  • Smart life cycle monitoring.

This composite hydrofoil is a generic representation of a 1:1 3D propeller blade, which is usually made of nickel-aluminium-bronze (NAB) alloy. However, compared to NAB, fibre-reinforced polymer composites in the hydrofoil structure provides many benefits including a significant reduction in weight by about 75% while ensuring structural strength and increasing fatigue life. This composite hydrofoil comprises of two parts -the ‘core’ made of glass fibre/epoxy and the ‘skin’, which is carbon/epoxy prepreg (HTS45E23/E-752-LT at 35% resin content and 145 gsm) from Park Aerospace Corp. This prepreg was wrapped around the core using Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) technology. Here, fibre orientations were taken into design considerations. The precise control offered by AFP allowed for the introduction of tailored stiffness distribution and created a passive shape-adaptive structure, which can transform its shape according to the loads of the inflow and improves its overall efficiency. Together with those benefits, the application of advanced AFP technology ensured an efficient and accurate manufacturing process for complex 3D layups that contain various ply shapes with different fibre angles. Another innovative aspect of this composite hydrofoil is the integration of the optical fibres, which were embedded inside the hydrofoil during the manufacture.

These sensors were used for in-situ structural health monitoring(SHM) during the AFP layup process as well as to gather strain information during the structural testing of the post-cured section. This would increase maintenance efficiency and confidence in-service performance. In addition, feedbacks from in-line SHM quality assessment could assist in future optimization and performance prediction, which in turn will further improve to a higher quality and more accurate layupsas well as reducing waste through near net shape fabrication. Thus, it could be said that this development itself was aligned with Industry 4.0.

  • Railway

Maglev train CFRP beam

Jiangsu Hengshen Co., Ltd. – China

www.hscarbonfibre.com

Key benefits:

  • Flame retard;
  • Energy saving; and
  • Excellent fatigue performance.

For the first time, a composite material is used to manufacture the suspension frame beam to meet the flame retardant requirements of EN45545-2013 (HL2). Also, for the first time, the OOA process is used to prepare structural members such as suspension frame beams.

The CFRP beam has a total length of 3,550 mm and a width of 1000 mm. The application of the flame-retardant composite material makes the structure of the component lose weight by 32%. This bottom main bearing structure of the maglev train has an excellent fatigue performance. This part was prepared by OOA molding process and selected low-cost medium-temperature curing epoxy flame retardant material(EM119 series) independently developed by Hengshen. This material meets the flame-retardant requirements of EN45545 HL2 and meets the requirements for prohibited substances. It has been widely used in the field of rail transit.

  • Renewable Energy

Smart Station

Flying To The Sun – Brazil

www.ergonprojetos.com.br

Associated Partners: Cogumelo(Brazil), ARMOR(France), Owens Corning(Korea)

The smart station is an innovative urban structure, off-grid stationary generator that provides shadow, clean energy, night lightening, connectivity and can be used for the IoT Commerce and MOOH.

Key benefits:

  • Dissemination/awareness about sustainability and generation of renewable energy;
  • Use of recyclable resins, OPV, global IoT network ,augmented reality and blockchain;
  • Innovative sustainable design; focus on economic and social development;
  • New Smart furniture concept for smart cities; and
  • App with innovative IoT e-commerce for sales of sustainable products.

The Solar Tree uses Arkema ́s Elium recyclable resin, which has excellent structural characteristics and causes less impact to the environment. This is due to the fact the tree is styrene-free, recyclable, thermoformable and enables the manufacture of lighter parts, making it easier to process, store and transport. They promote high modulus, toughness and stiffness. The solar tree was developed with two types of manufacturing processes: -PULTRUDED. The stem is manufactured with pultruded profiles due to the needs of lightweight, bold design, high mechanical resistance in the support of the leaves, and precision of the rails in which the led strips are fitted. -INFUSION. The base and seat of the tree are made by infusion using also Elium resin. Two molds are made, one on each side of the leaf, which are then bonded by adhesives or by induction, and secured to the pultruded profile of the stem. The stems are then connected to the pultruded profiles, which are also fixed by adhesives or by induction at the base of the tree bench, formed by two parts(base and seat cover). It has been possible to innovative and to make a lightweight structure incomposites with the use of a new technology: the OPV (organic photovoltaics film) weighing 200g perm², being extremely light and able to directly adhere to the leaves.

  • Smart Composites

Composites 4.0 – CFRP with wireless sensor systems

Daimler AG-Germany

www.daimler.com

Associated Partners:ARENA2036 [Active Research Environment for the Next generation of Automobiles] (Germany), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Institute of Aircraft Design (IFB) at the University of Stuttgart (Germany), University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten (RWU) (Germany), ACE -Advanced Composite Engineering GmbH (Germany).

Composites with Intelligence on board: The presented CFRP-part is a completely autonomous system made from carbon fibers in a serial process with wireless power supply, sensors and data Transmission.

Key benefits:

  • Added value across the entire life-cycle. (Smart Composites as an IOT device.);
  • Various functionalities with same sensor-system (e.g. Process-Monitoring, SHM);
  • Increase of the cost-benefit-ratio of composites parts;
  • Reduction of weight and complexity through functional integration; and
  • Implementation of the technology development directly in a series component.

The design and integration of the sensor system is based on the specific requirements of the Resin-Transfer-Moulding (RTM) process as an established manufacturing process for CFRP components as well as specific functional requirements of a sensor integrated component in automotive engineering. For this purpose, sensors were integrated into a fiber composite structure using the RTM method. In the RTM process, a resin system is injected into an inserted reinforcing fabric in a closed mould. Theres in then cures under pressure and temperature to form the finished fiber-reinforced plastic component. This production process, which is suitable for series production, has been increasingly used in the automotive industry for several years.

One of the biggest challenges was the proper selection of electronic components: micro-controller, antennas, battery, sensors and loading coil. They must not exceed certain dimensions, otherwise spatial integration would not be possible. At the same time, they have to withstand the pressures and temperatures during production. A change in the manufacturing parameters towards lower values would have posed a risk to the quality of the component. Another innovative topic is the integration of sensors in the form of fibers, which are predestined for implementation in the textile semi-finished products of fiber-reinforced plastics due to their flexibility and shape. This approach enables sensor data use along the entire composite value chain. Data can already be captured during lay-up and preform. In the next step the component collects process data during infiltration and curing. In the usage phase, data can be collected, evaluated and sent again and new functions can be mapped from this. Even at the end of the life cycle, data is available for identification and monitoring of recycling process.

  • Sports & Leisure

TORAYCA® Prepreg ET40 with Superior Formability

Toray Industries, Inc. –Japan

http://www.torayca.com/en/index.html

Associated Partners:Honma Golf Co., Ltd. (Japan), Suzuki MotorCorporation (Japan)

TORAYCA® Prepreg ET40 achieves superior levels of formability with complex shapes while keeping equivalent mechanical properties to conventional continuous fiber UD prepreg.

Key benefits:

  • Extensible and transformable;
  • Equivalent modulus and 80% strength of UD prepreg;
  • One-shot molding and quick cure;
  • Multiple rib formation from flat laminate in compression molding; and
  • Excellent drapability similar to woven fabric used in preforming process.

UD Prepreg, as it integrates unidirectionally aligned fibers with minimal amounts of resin, enhances the characteristics of carbon fiber’s ‘lightness, strength and resistance to rust’. However, when manufacturing complex shapes, UD Prepreg’s limited formability can generate various defects such as wrinkling, void and resin rich areas due tothebridging of fiber at corners. One of the methods used to enhance formability is the use of woven fabric. The disadvantage of woven fabric is that its mechanical properties and surface flatness are inferior to those offered by UD Prepreg. Another technique is to use carbon fiber pellets in injection moulding and Sheet Molding Compounds. This last method is capable of manufacturing complex shapes such as sharp convex and concave forms. Nevertheless, the fiber volume fraction of parts manufactured using this technique is lower than that of UD Prepreg and its mechanical properties are insufficient due to the use of pre-cut fibers. Extensible and Transformable TORAYCA® Prepreg ET40 has been developed to provide an innovative product that combines simultaneously high mechanicalproperties and excellent formability. It has the advantages of UD Prepreg without the usual trade-off between mechanical properties and formability.

TORAYCA® Prepreg ET40 is made by introducing slits into UD prepreg in a controlled manner, creating a type of unidirectional SMC material in which fiber bundles are regularly arrayed in the same direction. This method allows for the consistent and regular flow of the bundles during the molding process and therefore results in the ability to be shaped into complex shapes, such as rib and deep-drawing, while maintaining a homogenous laminate structure due to its extensible and transformable nature. As a result of specific slitting patterns, ET40 is able to achieve the equivalent surface appearance, modulus and over 80% of the strength of UD prepreg.

The awards ceremony took placeplace on November 14, 2019,at 5:30 pmat the Startup Branch, COEX. Ben Bassat, President and CEO of Plataine Avneropenedthe ceremony with a keynote about“The 4thindustrial revolution: implementing IIOT and AI to composite materials and manufacturing”.

Posted November 14, 2019

Source: JEC Group

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