Composites January/February 2012 Manufacturing The Official Magazine of the American Composites Manufacturers Association Industry Segments Automotive ..............................4 NASCAR Infrastructure ...........................8 Seal Observatory Marine ..................................... 10 Military Technology Sports & Recreation .............. 12 X-Games Departments & Columns President’s Message ...............2 Inside ACMA ......................... 38 Ad Index ................................. 39 Features Marketplace ........................... 39 Postcure Chatter .................... 44 Welcome to the COMPOSITES 2012 Show Issue See our Show Guide on page 18 Cover photo courtesy of NASCAR/Getty Images Defining Green .................................................................15 Correction: Focused on Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), ACMA’s Green Composites Committee has been In the article “Battlefield Ready” helping the composites industry understand, compile and report critical, missing information (p 27) of our Nov/Dec issue, needed to make a credible green case for composites. By John Busel, Gary Jakubcin, Goodrich was credited for creating David J. Lipiro and Cheryl Richards submarine components for over 35 years and for manufacturing the new Virginia-class submarines State of the Industry ............................................................ 27 using the patented RHO-COR Staying alive and profitable in a V-shaped business cycle has been challenging for most technology. Goodrich has only been companies in the composites industry. Survivors, take a well-deserved deep breath as making submarine sonar domes indicators suggest the worst is behind you. By Ray MacNeil since 2002 and uses RHO-COR in sonar domes for frigates and Taking Art to the Streets ...................................................32 destroyers without fire resistant Artist Walter Geiger built functional sculptures to inspire Orlando citizens in his composite materials. For more information, visit Goodrich.com. outdoor bus stop exhibit. His collection, named the Cascade series, provides color and cooling to public transportation. By Angie McPherson Structure, Sport and Style ................................................34 Recent advances with short fiber technology have led to innovative composite implementations in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Callaway Golf RAZR driver and the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. By Angie McPherson Online Exclusives www.compositesmanufacturingblog.com Composites are everywhere. So is Composites Manufacturing. Visit www.compositesmanufacturingblog.com for exclusive content, including Q&As with industry leaders, new product round-ups and up-to-date news. C Beyond the University Gate M Our September/October issue featured research projects underway at universities worldwide. We also received an update on a 2010 project, the bike-manufacturing IsoTruss technology. Catch up with BYU alumnus and IsoTruss manufacturer Altus Poles CEO Mark Jensen to see what successes a year can bring. In the News Composites Manufacturing magazine highlights industry breaking news and delivers it daily straight to you. Q&A Interviews Read what leaders of Altaeros, Recreational Boat Group, the National Science Engineering Research Chair and more view as the strengths, weaknesses, areas of growth potential and factors affecting the composites industry.Composites Manufacturing 1 President’s Composites Message Manufacturing Volume 28 | Number 1 | January/February 2012 Opportunities for Composites Official Magazine of the American Composites Manufacturers Association s we start the New Year I think, “What a great time to be in the composite industry!” There will be many new Publisher A Tom Dobbins advances in composite products developed around energy [email protected] efficiency and more opportunities for expansion. For example, UPS trucks, U.S. Director of Marketing & Communications streetcars, wind turbines and more. The growing demand for light weight, high Mary E. Johnson strength-to-weight ratio and longevity make composites a great answer. [email protected] Editorial Here at Miles Fiberglass, we are currently developing a prototype electric car Associate Director, Communications with an all-composite body shell. I know of a company in Hawaii developing Melinda Skea [email protected] composite sole inserts for shoes. Even wave energy buoys use composite materials for their non-corrosive properties in salt water. Communications Coordinator Angie McPherson [email protected] However, more can be done to ensure that composites get their fair share of the market with competing materials. As an association, ACMA is supporting Advertising Sales CM Magazine Advertising Department proposed legislation that would require life cycle costing for federally funded 3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite 420 construction projects. The 599-page bill includes several provisions that will Arlington, Va 22201 spur increased use of composites. Life Cycle Costs Analysis (LCCA) is a P: 703-525-0511 • F: 703-525-0743 process for evaluating the total economic worth of a project by analyzing initial Editorial Design & Production costs and discounting future costs. In the short term analysis composites are Keane Design, Inc. [email protected] often more expensive compared to competing materials, but under LCCA, keanedesign.com composites shine. Eliminating the “lowest cost only” factor from government All reprint requests should be directed to selection bids will help composites compete on a more level playing field. Reprint Management Services at 717-399-1900. If you would like to get involved in this process, contact John Schweitzer, American Composites Manufacturers Association ACMA’s senior director of Government Affairs. John has been working 3033 Wilson Blvd., Suite 420 diligently on this and other legislative matters. Many members have already Arlington, Va 22201 Phone: 703-525-0511 Fax: 703-525-0743 encouraged their Congressmen (or Congressional representatives) to support Auto attendant: 703-525-0659 this effort. Meanwhile John Busel, ACMA’s director of Composite Growth Email: [email protected] Online: www.acmanet.org Initiative (CGI), has been gathering data in collaboration with the Federal Composites Manufacturing (ISSN 1084-841X) is Highway Administration and other agencies and universities to build the case published bi-monthly by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), 3033 Wilson Blvd., of composites service life longevity and its cost effect on infrastructure. Suite 420, Arlington, Va 22201 USA. Subscription rates: Free for members and non-members in the U.S., Canada The Senate Highway Bill is another of the many opportunities this industry and Mexico; $85 for international non-members. A free online subscription is available at cmmagazine.org. Pe- has to increase the use of composites. Many of the CGI committees have been riodical postage paid at Arlington, VA and additional working tirelessly to develop codes and standards that will help architects mail offices. specify composite materials. The Green Composite Committee is currently POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Composites working on the Composites Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Project aimed at Manufacturing, P.O. Box 336, Congers, NY 10920. The magazine is mailed to ACMA members and is also developing data for certain materials and manufacturing processes so that a available by subscription. Canada Agreement number: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be readily conducted allowing manufacturers PM40063731 to compare composites to competing materials. To read more about it, turn Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Station to page 15 of this issue. If you want to be involved in this very important, A, PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5, Email: returnsil@ imex.pb.com. Copyright© 2012 by the ACMA. All rights ground breaking work or learn more about what is going on, visit www. reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted acmanet.org or call them directly at 703-525-0511. Remember, we are a member without permission from the publisher. The ACMA, a driven organization and that means we need your help! If you’re not already a nonprofit organization representing the composites industry worldwide, publishes Composites Manufactur- member of ACMA, join today. ing, circulation 10,000, as a service to its members and other subscribers. The reader should note that opinions or statements of authors and advertisers appearing in Lori Luchak Composites Manufacturing are their own and do not Miles Fiberglass & Composites, ACMA President C necessarily represent the opinions of statements of the [email protected] M ACMA, its Board of Directors or ACMA staff. 2 Composites Manufacturing Composites Manufacturing 3 Industry Auto Segments Gentlemen, Start Your Engines Photo: NASCAR/Getty Images he opening day for the 54th overflow tanks, mirrors and other National Association for Stock non-structural components. Teams TCar Racing (NASCAR) season such as Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is February 26, 2012 at Daytona have even brought composite International Speedway in Daytona, manufacturing in-house to get Fla. Hundreds of thousands of concepts built on the car faster and viewers will pack into the 2.5 mile increase the team’s competitive edge. arena while millions more will tune in at home to watch 42 cars battle, The Joe Gibbs engineering team crash and roar past the black and Opening day at Daytona International On a tour of the JGR headquarters, white checkered flag. Speedway.