Continuous fiber reinforcement, many ways: Which manufacturing process fits which application? Introduction Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFR TP) are considered one of the most promising material classes for structural lightweight applications – in aerospace, automotive engineerin... Process Jul 7, 2026
Winding vs. Placement: Why the Same Machine Produces Fundamentally Different Results the theory At first glance, Laser-Assisted Tape Winding (LATW) and Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) for surface structures look almost identical. The end effector – laser, compaction roller, tape feed ... Fundamentals Process Jun 30, 2026
Why temperature is everything in the LATW process — and why process control is not a marketing promise Introduction: The invisible control variable Anyone processing thermoplastic composite materials knows the rule of thumb: The temperature at the nip point — the point where incoming tape and substrate... Fundamentals Process Jun 29, 2026
Configuring Thermoplastic Composite Tubes: How the Alformet Tube Designer Works Introduction Anyone looking to specify or procure a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pipe for the first time faces an unfamiliar task: What winding angle do I need? What tape width is sensible? What doe... Fundamentals Process Jun 14, 2026
Laser-Assisted Tape Winding: Why LATW Is the Additive Manufacturing Process Composites Engineers Should Know Additive manufacturing for high-performance composite materials: The case for laser-assisted tape winding Additive manufacturing has fundamentally changed the way engineers think about production. Ins... Fundamentals Process Jun 11, 2026
Winding Angles in CFR TP Tubes Explained: How Fibre Orientation Drives Structural Performance Introduction In composite engineering, few design decisions carry as much weight as fibre orientation. The angle at which fibres are wound into a thermoplastic composite tube is not a cosmetic choice ... Fundamentals Process Jun 11, 2026
UD-Tapes: The material behind high-performance thermoplastic composite pipes Introduction Anyone developing high-performance lightweight structures will inevitably encounter one material: the unidirectional fibre-reinforced composite tape, or UD tape. It is the raw material fo... Fundamentals Materials Process Jun 5, 2026