Most Recent Features...
12/05/99 -
NASA Publicity
An critical look at NASA's publicity machine and the Mars Polar Lander
program.
12/03/99 -
Best of the Net: Distributors
Find out which materials distributor has the best Web site.
11/11/99 -
Careers in Composites
If you want to work with composites, you have several industries and
job types to choose from.
10/28/99 -
Drilling and Drill Bits
The tools I recommend for drilling graphite composites, plus a few
hints on drilling techniques.
10/13/99 -
Book Review
The Behavior of Sandwich Structures, by Jack R. Vinson,
a worthy successor to his earlier book on composite structures.
09/29/99 -
Software Review: V-Lab
Review of this comprehensive and user-expandable software package for
composite laminate analysis.
09/16/99 -
Incompressible Orthotropic Materials
Deriving the properties of an incompressible orthotropic material
reveals some interesting relationships among the engineering
constants.
09/09/99 -
Best of the Net: Catalogs
There's a new Best catalog this year: read about it and the runner up
sites.
08/25/99 -
Fairing Model: Final Assembly
At last, the structure is done, and all we have to do is assemble the
fairing.
08/19/99 -
Carbon Fiber Prices
An examination of the DoJ antitrust investigation. Voice your opinion
in the online poll.
08/11/99 -
Fairing Model: Second Half
It's time to layup the second half. The only trick is preparing for
the bond joint.
08/04/99 -
Software Review: The Laminator
This shareware program for laminate analysis has a new interface and
is still a great bargain.
07/21/99 -
Fairing Model: Patching
The first half wasn't quite as nice as we hoped, so a bit of rework
was required.
07/14/99 -
Book Review
Mechanical Testing of Composites, edited by C.H. Jenkins,
covers strain measurement techniques.
06/30/99 -
Fairing Model: First Layup
Finally, we lay up the first half of the fairing.
06/16/99 -
Book Review
Rheology of Filled Polymer Systems, by Aroon V. Shenoy.
06/09/99 -
Fairing Model: Tool Finishing
After some additional support, a bit of Bondo, and a few buckets of
joint compound, the tool is ready for layup.
05/31/99 -
SAMPE Review
This year's SAMPE Symposium was the largest in quite a while. Here are
a few things that caught my attention.
05/19/99 -
Engineering Euphemisms
Sometimes in engineering communications, what we say is not what we
mean.
05/11/99 -
Fairing Model: Hot Wire
It's time to move the tool onto the winder and shape the foam.
04/28/99 -
Fairing Model: Tool Bracing
The tool itself is too flexible, so internal bracing is installed to
reduce sagging.
04/21/99 -
Fairing Model: Tool Assembly
The bulkheads and foam are cut, so it's time to start assembling
the tool.
04/15/99 -
Tax Day Contest
Identify scientists and win a sweatshirt.
04/07/99 -
Fairing Model: Tool Materials
The first step in making the tool is to cut the major components: the
bulkheads and the foam.
03/24/99 -
Essential References Update
One of my Essential Reference Books is out of print in
paperback. Here's where to find the hardcover edition.
03/17/99 -
Fairing Model: Tool Design
Once the fairing requirements are defined, it's time to turn them into
an actual design.
03/10/99 -
Fairing Model: Intro
Start of a series on the manufacture of a full-scale fairing model.
02/23/99 -
Puzzler #2: Winner
Find out who won the latest Puzzler contest, and read their solution.
02/17/99 -
X-33 Composite Tank Problems
A review of the X-33 composite tank design and the recent delamination
during autoclave cycling.
01/27/99 -
Puzzler #2: Pressure Vessel
Solve this problem about composite pressure vessels to win a copy of
the 1999 Sourcebook.
01/18/99 -
Book Review
Crashworthiness of Composite Thin-Walled Structural Components,
by Mamalis et. al.
01/04/99 -
Composites FAQ
The start of an FAQ on composite materials.
More Features...