3 . Rocket Boosters
Rockets that launch spacecraft into space also rely on carbon fiber . The boosters , which provide the initial thrust to escape Earth ’ s gravity , are often reinforced with this incredible material to help them withstand the intense forces and temperatures during launch .
Carbon fiber is like a secret ingredient that helps aerospace engineers build stronger , lighter , and more efficient aircraft and spacecraft . There is a company that is transforming the way carbon fiber parts are designed and manufactured . Continuous Composites , a company located in Coeur d ’ Alene , Idaho , has developed a robotic system that prints individual strands of carbon fiber in complex three-dimensional shapes . This allows engineers to design parts that place the strength and stiffness of carbon fiber only where it is needed , reducing the need for extra material , and reducing the weight of the part . It also allows engineers to combine several individual parts that need to be fastened together into one part that requires no assembly . Thanks to great innovations in how aerospace parts are designed and manufactured , like Continuous Composites ’ CF3D Enterprise robot , the possibilities for future aerospace engineers like you are endless and exciting !
WINTER 2024 — ISSUE NO . 05 25