Self-sensing is the ability of a material to sense its own condition which means you don’t need an implanted or attached sensor system reducing costs while increasing durability and sensor coverage.

Polymer-matrix composites, containing continuous carbon fibre, are known materials that have self-sensing capabilities based on measurable changes in electrical resistance of the continuous fibres. For example, a self-sensing composite was used for damage detection in a cylinder made by filament winding. The practical importance of such products can potentially be found in structural health monitoring in aeroplanes or critical parts of constructions like bridges.

Brightlands Materials Center is combining the self-sensing properties of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastics with fabrication by additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing with continuous fibres enables very precise positioning and orientation of carbon fibres. The carbon fibres are placed at chosen locations inside the product that forms an integral part of the structure. That means that the carbon fibre “sensors” are located where they are needed, and multiple fibres could form a range of sensors throughout the part.

The concept was proven by Brightlands Materials Center by monitoring deformation in a simple bending beam and in a scale model of a pedestrian composite bridge. Both were printed with an Anisoprint A4 Composer which allows full freedom of the carbon fibre layout and material choice. This is specifically important for sensing because carbon fibre has to stick out of the part to be able to make connections to the monitoring electronic hardware.

Damage detection by self-sensing in 3D printed bike frame lugs is part of the “100% Limburg Bike” project in which the centre collaborates with amongst others Eurocarbon, CeraCarbon, Brightlands Chemelot Campus and Belgian Cycling Factory – known from racing bike brands like Ridley and Eddy Merkcx – and which is supported by the European Fund for Regional Development and the Province of Limburg in the OPZuid framework.

Self-sensing can also play a role in the design and prototype phase of new products or in replacing spare parts that are not available anymore. 3D printed self-sensing fibre reinforced thermoplastics can help to gather information about the real use circumstances. During a testing period, the self-sensing 3D printed part registers the real dynamics and forces that a product needs to withstand. This gives designers and engineers a clearer understanding of what requirements the 3D printed parts will have to meet. As a diagnosis tool, 3D printed self-sensing orthoses or protheses might guide patients and provide valuable information to doctors, regarding stress distribution and movement patterns.

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The company is investing heavily in thermoplastic composites technology development and has joined the research centre based in the Netherlands as a tier 1 member, which grants Solvay access to the centre’s research and the ability to steer on fundamental development activities, which are complementary to Solvay’s internal research such as forming and over-moulding, cost-effective manufacture of large structures, material performance and sustainability.

The ThermoPlastic composites Research Center (TPRC) is a consortium of industrial and academic members active in the thermoplastic composites industry. We believe in thermoplastic composites as the material for lightweight manufacturing in large volumes. Our primary aim is to enable more widespread use of thermoplastic composites by eliminating technological barriers.

Solvay’s research and innovation experts will work hand in hand with the TPRC on selected projects where we see joint benefits. Solvay and the TPRC are both committed to increasing the adoption of TPC by the aerospace and automotive industries and our membership will strengthen our ability to contribute to industry developments Dr Jim Pratte, Senior Research Fellow for Solvay Composite Materials Global Business Unit

Solvay recently opened a Product Development Center in Alpharetta USA and Customer Engagement Center in Brussels which will work closely with the TPRC as we start engaging in joint collaboration projects.

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After the first step of capacity increase through debottlenecking, Teijin Aramid now moves to the major part of the investment. As a key enabler for innovation in a variety of markets, ranging from air cargo containers to heat-resistant clothing, Teijin Aramid aims to reinforce its position as a market leader and finalize the capacity increase by 2022.

Our end goal is to have a sustainable and circular aramid supply chain. On the one hand, this takes shape by us being more energy-efficient, being part of the energy transition movement and using increasingly green raw materials. On the other hand, we continue to provide our customers with sustainable solutions by offering Twaron. Gert Frederiks, CEO and President of Teijin Aramid

The capacity increase will take place in the two factories in the Netherlands, Delfzijl and Emmen. Delfzijl is the production site for monomer and polymer and the plant in Emmen is used for spinning. The increase is expected to result in a couple of dozen new jobs in the region.

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The project was to create a biodegradable product that can be used as a matrix for composite materials. The uniqueness of this material is in the nettle filler which reduces the cost of the polymer while maintaining its strength characteristics and increasing its elasticity and heat resistance.

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By using nettle fibre together with recycled polymers, it can reduce the polymer content by 50% leaving the possibility to further process this composite and use it as secondary raw material. It’s hoped that products like bio-packaging for household chemicals and food products, environmentally friendly children’s toys, jewellery, dishes, office supplies, and even bodies for electronic devices can be created with the materials.

Plans and funding of 60,0000 euro are in place to further develop and scale up the project with Chemelot Chemicals.

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The acquisition of Fokker further enhances GKN’s position as a leading global supplier to the aerospace industry. The combination brings together two leading technology companies with broad product portfolios and established positions on major aircraft platforms.

Fokker is a specialist Tier 1 supplier to the commercial, military and business jet markets. With almost 5,000 employees Fokker is headquartered in the Netherlands and has operations in Europe, North America and Asia. In the year ended 31 December 2014, Fokker generated revenue of €758 million. The company specialises in the design, development and production of lightweight composite aero structures, electrical wiring interconnection systems and landing gear.

Once the deal is completed, Fokker will become a new operating unit within GKN Aerospace. Fokker’s headquarters will remain in the Netherlands and its brand will continue. The company will also continue with its R&D and manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands as well as with its partnerships with the Dutch government and knowledge institutes.

The deal is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2015 following completion of the information and consultation procedures with the Fokker Works Council and trade unions, ITAR and CFIUS regulatory clearances and anti-trust clearance in the EU and the US.

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Royal Ten Cate N.V. and Tennessee Acquisition B.V., a company controlled by a consortium of investors led by Gilde Buy Out Partners and also including Parcom Capital and ABN Amro Participaties. Tencate said in a statement that stockholders will receive €24.60 a share in cash, 27% above Fridays closing price.

The company reported its first loss since 2001 as an expected increase in defence revenue failed to appear. The company took an impairment charge on the armour business, Ten Cate said in February, as buyers postponed deliveries of vehicle armour.

Loek de Vries, President and Chief Executive Officer of TenCate, said:

This offer represents positive news for all stakeholders involved in our company. There is a clear commitment to support our strategy, which means we can invest in our product-market-technology combinations, thereby further strengthening our leading market positions. In addition, we can continue our buy and build approach and we will benefit from the capabilities, experience and financial support of our new shareholders.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg the bid values Ten Cate at about 11.3 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation over the past year, above the median of 9.8 times for similar deals.

Speaking with Bloomberg Joost van Beek, an analyst for Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers said;

The price is reasonable, but not fully knock-out, the buyers may not have been willing to pay more because they will need to keep investing in the company, where profitability has been disappointing for a while.

TenCate will seek to obtain all necessary governmental approvals and competition clearances as soon as practicable with the offer expected to commence in September or October 2015.

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The new facility will manufacture composite landing gear components while also developing new manufacturing techniques for high performance composites. Other companies that develop composites can also use the facility for testing their materials and automating production processes.

Fokker say that the Automated Composite Manufacturing Pilot Plant is a key step in developing expert knowledge of composites in the Netherlands. Composites are increasing replacing steel or aluminium parts in the aviation industry and are often stronger, more sustainable, less expensive, and capable of being applied in a wide variety of areas.

The ACM Pilot Plant will start with the further automation of the production of composite landing gear components. In a wider context, the plant will focus on producing composites reinforced with industrial resins, for which the plant is outfitted with ultra-modern equipment, including one of the largest robotic composite fibre braiding machines in Europe.

This new facility comes from a Public-Private Partnership between Fokker Landing Gear and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the province of Flevoland and the Noordoostpolder municipality. The ACM Pilot Plant is part of Smart Industry Fieldlab Flexible Manufacturing’, for which plans for further development are currently being devised.

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Among loads of other specially created products and designs appearing for the first time at Pinned Up is one of Marcel’s newest creations, the ultra-lightweight Carbon Balloon Chair. Appearing for the first time in Europe and made using carbon and epoxy resin, it was conceived by Marcel as a challenge to all designers to create the world’s lightest chair.

Weighing in at around 800 grams, Carbon Balloon Chair is hand-made using balloons first filled with compressed air, which are later hardened with epoxy resin into the chair’s final shape. Working with carbon is favoured by Marcel for its weight minimization possibilities. The chair requires fewer materials, generates less waste and is highly durable.

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The new facility is just 20 kilometres from its current location in Amsterdam, and is a large, modern, free-standing production hall, including an office, built out of high-quality materials. The hall provides enough space for all the necessary production procedures and it has two overhead cranes and a separate grinding bay that can also be used for painting.

The facility features large overhead doors making it possible to move projects easily and is connected to the waterway system located at a distance of 500 metres. “These aspects have been important to us in choosing this building since components for the superyacht industry are usually of a greater size and preferably transported over water,” explains Operational & Finance Director Ad Broos.

Rhebergen Composites is a specialist in custom-made solutions in marine composites, especially in the superyacht industry. The new facility offers the right kind of high level options to match this industry and the company focus: turnkey delivery from development, design and engineering to construction, painting, transport and mounting.

In December of this year there will be a phased move to the new location in order to be operating at the new address as of January 2014. The official opening of Rhebergen Composites in Wormerveer will follow in March.

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The goal of the cooperation is to more efficiently develop methods for the design, development and production of light-weight structures for the aerospace and transport sectors, this in order to contribute to the reduction of fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions.

Within the agreement both centres will jointly undertake pre-competitive research projects, execute third-party contracts and allow the use of facilities and general infrastructure around the area of manufacturing techniques for fibre reinforced composites and simulation techniques. Both partners own and operate extensive facilities for the development of composite structures by tape laying or fibre placement and resin infusion.

On of the main areas of focus for the cooperation will be in the areas of automated fibre placement/tape laying techniques, robot assisted manufacturing processes, heating techniques and process monitoring, resin transfer moulding and virtual manufacturing.

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