Developing innovative customer solutions is not new to Toray Advanced Composites . Unger said , “ We support Airbus via our European divisions , and Toray is a key global partner for Boeing on the 777 , 787 , and 777x programs .” As a composite manufacturer , they are also involved with the National Institute for Aviation Research ( NIAR ) that maintains a national database about which Unger said , “ NIAR has created publicly available databases to accelerate the use of composites in aviation .”
As with many partnerships in the aerospace industry , Unger said , “ When an application like this qualifies as a material supplier , it ’ s like getting married — it is an expensive and very important decision — that ’ s why working together is so important . If we weren ’ t working toward a common goal , we wouldn ’ t be able to develop the resin technology and have Erickson design and manufacture the blade . Without a strong partnership , it won ’ t work .”
Toray Advanced Composites is involved with some new and unique applications in aerospace / aviation , defense , and urban air mobility .
They say that there are similarities between general aviation , aerospace , urban air mobility , and commercial aircraft applications , “ They are similar systems and processes , and are the building blocks to the next generation of vehicles ,” Wagner said .
Vehicles like the electric vertical take-off and landing ( eVTOL ) otherwise known as urban air mobility vehicles , will use composite fiber from companies like Toray for lightness and strength , especially when carrying people and products .
“ Toray is the world ’ s largest manufacturer of carbon fiber and of composite materials in the U . S .,” said Unger , which is understandable when you hear about other supplier relationships with Lockheed Martin , Northrop Grumman , Raytheon , Collins , and more . According to http :// www . sciencealert . com , Airbus is creating a carbon fiber aircraft , Airbus A350 XWB , with a structural frame that is 50 percent composite materials . They claim it is light enough to greatly reduce fuel costs but will also help reduce jet lag upon arrival .
16 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS