compositesmanufacturing

This week I welcome Dan Cohen, CEO of FLITE on the show to talk about some of their surface engineering technology that uses laser and plasma energy to make permanent changes to surfaces reducing the need for chemicals.

The company was created in 2018 to develop the emerging science of surface functionalization into commercial use at industrial scale. 

The FLITE team believes that the time has come to take these techniques out of the lab and into industries looking for a better, cleaner, and safer way to protect their products. 

Their methods have been demonstrated on glass, plastic, metal, ceramics, semiconductors, and composites.

You can learn more by visiting them at https://www.flite.tech. 

Additive manufacturing is creating new opportunities for fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials. This has implications for the promise of AM and implications for the composites industry. In this episode, Peter Zelinski of Additive Manufacturing Media is joined by Jeff Sloan of sister brand CompositesWorld. They talk about composites replacing metal, large-format 3D printing for tooling, and other aspects of the overlap between these two worlds. Also, what does the acceptance and adoption of composites into part production, and the way this played out in previous decades, signal about the way ahead for an even newer disruptive technology, additive manufacturing?

This episode is brought to you by the Additive Manufacturing Conference at IMTS.

Mentioned in this episode:

• CompositesWorld
• 3D printing changing composites manufacturing: a Q&A with Jeff Sloan
• Composites replacing metal: an example
• Aerospace applications for 3D printed composites on a previous episode of AM Radio
• Large-format composites 3D printing for tooling: Articles involving Cincinnati Inc., Thermwood and a provider focused on this work.
• Additive Engineering Solutions’ move from 3D printed tooling into production parts
• 3D printed composite tooling making precast concrete forms
• Podcast for the composites industry: CW Talks with Jeff Sloan

This week I welcome Casey Welch to the show. Casey is the co-founder and president of Tallo, a company that connects the next generation of talent with opportunities in the workplace. 

On this episode, we'll be discussing the worker shortage for so many industries including manufacturing and trucking.

Casey will be sharing some interesting data from their survey of over 29,000 Gen Z high school and college students on their choice of careers and the industries they are most interested in. 

Casey will also share some important strategies for attracting this next generation of talent. 

You can learn more about their company by visiting https://tallo.com. 

This week Meredith Glasgow of Current joins me on the show to discuss their company.

On this episode, I share a recent interview I did with Andrew Pokelwaldt, of the ACMA, and Brannon Pittman of HK Research discussing Gelcoat issues. Gel coating is typically a common problem area when working with composites, especially in the colder months, and can be a struggle for even experienced fabricators.

On this episode, Andrew and Brannon will be walking us through application steps and procedures for avoiding many problems that can arise during the gel coating process.

This week, I welcome William Hoff CEO of Geopolymer International, a firm that creates and distributes ecologically friendly building materials. William has been in
the construction industry for over 40 years, with experience in massive projects and is an expert in concrete and concrete alternatives.

William focuses on sustainable materials, and commits to bringing new technologies compliant with standard certifications, and permitting requirements needed to make them a reality. Currently, he's working with Geopolymer, 3-D concrete printing, and modular housing to achieve his goals.

You can learn more about them by visiting https://geopolymerinternational.com. 

This week Tato Bigio, cofounder of UBQ joins me on the show to discuss how their company helping to reduce landfills all over the world by converting everyday household waste into their patented UBQ™ Material.

UBQ™ is a thermoplastic and climate positive material, that can be used to make everyday durable end-products, more sustainable and with a reduced carbon footprint.

It can substitute plastics, minerals, and wood in thousands of different applications. 

UBQ Materials was founded in 2012 by Tato Bigio and Rabbi Yehuda Pearl. The name UBQ stands for ubiquitous. The problem of waste is ubiquitous and the solutions, therefore, need to be as well. On this episode, Tato will be sharing the background of the UBQ™, and discuss their process, as well as some of the projects they've been involved with. 

On this episode, I welcome two guests from the transportation industry to discuss the two biggest drivers of increasing rates in the US - COVID-19, and supply chain disruptions. 

Jim Grundy, a transportation expert, and CEO of Sisu energy joins me for the first part of the discussion, and John Barnett of Steamboat Transportation Group joins me for the 2nd part. 

On this episode, we’ll be discussing the ongoing resin supply issues with Steve Wetzel of Interplastic, and Dirk De Vuyst of IMI. 

Steve will be discussing the cause of resin supply shortages. As many know, the February freeze in Texas triggered mass blackouts and led to chemical plant shutdowns that are disrupting supply chains, causing a shortage of raw materials.

Dirk will be sharing some proactive strategies manufacturing members can implement during these challenging times. These include the 4 P’s – Protecting current customers, Pricing based on new costing, Procuring materials ahead of time, and Producing efficiently.

On this episode, John Schweitzer joins me to discuss the latest news on pending updates from OSHA on workplace exposure to styrene.

John is the senior adviser to the president of the American Composites Manufacturers Association. For questions, he can be reached at jschweitzer@acmanet.org. 

This week, I welcome Eric van Uden of Solico on the show to discuss a recent news event where a runaway train was saved by a composite "whale's tail" sculpture designed by Solico Engineering. 

This week, Alex Sassenberg joins me on the podcast to share the story of Reckless Motorcycles, a company driven by a passion for Motorcycling & Powersports. With more than 60 combined years of experience in the fiberglass & motorcycle industry, they provide their customers with the best line of quality parts in the industry. 

Over 90 percent of their parts are manufactured with closed molding technology, eliminating VOC's and ensuring a safe & green workplace environment. All of their products are manufactured in-house from start to finish. 

They also provide tooling for boat manufacturers as well.

https://www.recklessmotorcycles.com. 

On this episode, we’ll address the topic of the ever-increasing manufacturing skills gap in the US and what is being done to engage and inspire more young Americans of all backgrounds to build great careers in the manufacturing trades. 

This is a two-part episode, featuring interviews with two guests. 

My first guest is Sarah Boisvert. She is the author of The New Collar Workforce: An Insider’s Guide to Making Impactful Changes to Manufacturing and Training. It’s a culmination of research with 200 manufacturers in the US on the skills needed mostly for operators and technicians on the factory floor.  

My 2nd guest is Chris Brenchley, the co-founder, and CEO of Surehand. Surehand is a self-service hiring platform that instantly matches industrial employers with skilled tradespeople.

Workers can create their free Surehand profile here: https://surehand.com

Employers can learn more and create their Surehand Recruiter preview account here: https://surehand.com/employers. 

This week, I welcome Bob Yancey of Hexcel on the show. Hexcel is a leading producer of carbon fiber reinforcements and resin systems and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry. 

Bob is the business development director for Hexcel and his work includes developing new and emerging business opportunities for advanced composites & new manufacturing technologies like powder bed fusion with reinforcement, automated fiber placement, and automated tape laying. 

This week, I welcome Paul Hassett, the Market Development Manager at Covestro, North America. He joins me on the show to discuss the benefits of Covestro's Maezio® thermoplastic composites.

These composites combine high mechanical strength with premium aesthetics and ultra-lightweight performance. They also boast versatile processing options for production at scale thanks to compatibility with several production technologies including thermal compression molding, automated tape laying (ATL), automated fiber placement (AFP), and functional integration by injection molding.

These composite materials are characterized by their unique, metal-like surface immediately after production, which is also compatible with a wide range of coating and embellishment options.

Also, unique textures, logos, and other details are possible, making structural parts more aesthetically appealing.

We'll be discussing some of the product applications these materials are now being used in. 

You can learn more by visiting composites.covestro.com. 

On this episode, Jeff Austad of Ventilation Solutions joins me on the show to discuss some of the custom engineering services they offer to the composites industry. 

Ventilation Solutions brings 30 plus years of experience in providing engineered solutions for customers needing industrial air moving equipment, emission control, dust control, air handling, and HVAC systems in composite fabrication facilities as well as industrial manufacturing and warehousing industries.

They have extensive experience in the development of ventilation systems specifically for composite/fiberglass materials, gelcoat, lamination, closed molding, grinding, sanding, and dust collection.

Jeff will be discussing the unique value Ventilation Solutions offers to our industry; one being they’re a single-source contractor that makes sure that their customer’s facilities are code compliant, safe, and contaminant-free with a total customized solution that is specific to their operation. 

You can learn more about their company by visiting them at https://ventilationsolutions.com or if you have questions, you can reach Jeff at jaustad@sbsmechanical.com.

This week, I welcome Bill Rice of Magnum Venus Products on the show to discuss the latest in gelcoat spray technology and also maintenance best practices for spray gun operators to help plants save money on equipment parts, seals, and gaskets. 

Bill has been in the FRP industry almost his whole life.  His father owned a commercial boat building business back in the 70’s.  He started working with him in his early teens until his father sold the business in the mid 80’s. Bill started with Magnum Venus Products back in 2000 and has served as a sales technician with them for the last 20 years.

On this episode, Bill will also be sharing some details on MVP’s multi-color systems for FRP manufacturers who want to spray multiple colors without paying for three individual spray units. 

To learn more about MVP”s technology, visit their website at https://www.mvpind.com.

This week, I welcome Amaël Cohades, Ph.D., CEO of CompPair Technologies on the show to discuss how they are bringing healable and sustainable composite material solutions to extend the lifetime of composite parts, contributing to a circular economy in the industry.

CompPair Technologies Ltd. is the result of 12 years of thorough research in self-healing composites in the Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Amaël is joined by a highly complementary team, with a strong network in the composites industry and a wealth of experienced advisors. Their pre-impregnated textiles allow composite parts to fully recover their initial properties in minutes while suppressing the usual repair waste.

Overall, CompPair has the potential to reduce composite resources needs by half. We'll be discussing this technology and the applications,  as well as the research that has gone into its development. 

On this episode, I am pleased to have Andrew Pokelwaldt join me. Andrew is the Director of Certification for the American Composites Manufacturers Association. 

Andrew has 28 years of experience in leadership, training, and operations. In his current role at ACMA he develops, delivers and directs the composites technical fabrication training and certifications industry-wide. 

His composites experience includes manufacturing management, training, process, and personnel training roles in various composite industry areas over the past 10 years. Andrew worked as a dual career military reservist for 24 years including service in Operation Iraqi Freedom leading foreign military training and operations.

On today’s show, we’ll be discussing some safety practices in your plant as it relates to composites and cast polymer manufacturing.  We’ll talk about daily implementation and safety improvements that will improve your bottom line, reduce waste, and benefit your workers. 

Andrew will also be talking about the ACMA’s Certified Composites Technician (CCT) program. It supports professional development and facilitates uniform training and technical skills for composite manufacturers.

This week, I welcome Matt Villarreal (CEO) of Infinite Composites Technologies on to discuss a new technology they've developed - the first ever, spherical all-composite carbon-fiber pressure vessel for storing cryogenic propellants for launch vehicles and spacecraft such as a lunar lander. 

By providing the lowest mass and most cost-effective option to store fuel, ICT’s CryoSphere would affect the in-space capabilities of future missions, reduce the cost of launch vehicles to transport cargo to space, and increase the amount of payload to planetary surfaces.