Composites professionals are finding those answers in droves, as COMPOSITES provides a spark of revitalization to an industry that has taken its licks from the struggling economy. Aisles were packed soon after the show opened at 10 a.m.—attendance is up from last year—and many vendors said they were pleased at the number of decision makers who discussed specific applications and new markets.

Two of those decision makers—Svetlana Melkova, Ph.D., vice president of Tristar Coatings Ltd., and Drew Turner, the firm’s account manager—came to COMPOSITES hoping to gain insight into entering the wind turbine market. Their Brampton, Ontario-based firm formulates and manufactures specialty coatings for the aerospace, industrial and commercial markets. “We expected the show to be full of energy, and it’s been great for us so far,” Turner said. “We believe wind is an emerging market that can bring new growth to our business, so we’re eager to learn more about it from exhibitors here.”

Like hundreds of other attendees, Melkova and Turner embody this year’s show theme, “Discover the Future of Composites Today.” COMPOSITES 2010 isn’t an event that merely stimulates the eye with decorative demonstrations and product samples. It impacts bottom lines, as vendors help attendees solve specific business issues. Many booths feature subject matter experts available to talk one-on-one about new opportunities.

“This is the place to be if you’re a composites company and you need to discover important trends and technologies in the industry,” said Jeffrey L. Cash, corporate director of sales and marketing at North Kingsville, Ohio-based Premix, a formulator and manufacturer of thermoset compounds that also makes thermoset molded parts. He said he was impressed with the show’s injection molding solutions, sealants and other products.

“We’ve already found several new leads,” said Wally Gutzmer, a salesperson with AKSA, which produces carbon fiber under the brand name AKSACA. “The business potential of this show is outstanding.” He said top-quality trade shows generate business, not just buzz, and that he’s encouraged about new revenue opportunities COMPOSITES can generate for his firm.

One reason the annual show is highly regarded by composites professionals is that vendors talk with attendees, not at them—something first-time attendee Jay Dean noticed. He spent the first few hours seeking advanced resin systems. “I’ve checked out about half the show floor, and I’m quite impressed with the experience and products of the exhibitors,” said Dean, president/owner of Next Level Design Inc., West Bend, Wis. “We usually attend the AWEA show (WINDPOWER, held by the American Wind Energy Association), and decided to come here to see what else is out there.”

Said Gutzmer: “This is a powerful, money-making show for attendees and exhibitors. We’re thrilled to be here.”

Among the companies that form the Closed Mold Alliance is Magnum Venus Plastech (MVP). When the Alliance conducts its demonstrations on the Show floor in Las Vegas, the equipment used in those demos is supplied by MVP.

“I think people know closed molding is the future,” says Andrew Hedger. Nonetheless, manufacturers still have a lot of questions and need a lot of training to make the leap to closed molding. Those who do will see the benefits. “You’re going to have a lot better part, a more precise part, with thicknesses and glass-to-resin ratios,” Hedger says.

MVP representatives will be on hand at the company’s booth to answer questions about the equipment it’s showcasing, including a multi-axis winder, its universal proportioner, its Patriot Gel Coater and more.

MVP will exhibit in Booth #811

In addition to its extensive product line, CCP Inc. also has a robust education program designed to help customers learn best manufacturing practices and improve their technical education. In addition to its formal training programs, CCP also employs a technical staff ready to answer questions at a moment’s notice. “Typically in this market, we’ve seen a decline in the number of people associated with technical service. CCP is still strong in that effort,” says Matt Swenson, director of product management and global accounts. “We have people throughout the country ready and available to help customers.

The technical staff comprises both in-house and regional-based employees, so that customers can call on the telephone and in the field. “[In addition], our sales force is technical in nature,” Swenson says. “Our salesmen that travel throughout the geographic region can help customers with their technical issues. If they’re unable to handle it, we may fly in a member of our technical services group.”

In Las Vegas, the company will highlight its technical expertise and its line gel coats for core markets, including marine, sanitary and transportation. It will also showcase its products’ applications in the infrastructure and power generation markets. The company recently added a a line of Vinyl Ester resin line, available for lay up and infusion processes.

CCP will also highlight its Norsodyne product line, which includes a flame-retardant resin that’s  non-halogenated, meaning that it doesn’t need ATH or fillers to achieve flame retardant properties, says Swenson.

CCP will exhibit in Booth #303

TR Industries doesn’t just sell mold release products. It sells compounds, releases, polishes and other products designed to produce the best finish possible, including surface care products.  “What we try to do as TR Industries is not offer customers just a release,” says Ray Luckich. “We want to offer them a system that they can take from start to finish, from a rough mold to polishing to sealing.”

At its booth in Las Vegas, the company will showcase its line of products, including its TR 210 and TR 216 past and liquid waxes for the cast polymer industry.

Experts will also be on hand to answer questions about mold maintenance and troubleshooting. “If they’ve got a particular application that they’re having difficulty with, we’d like to talk to them about it. We may not have the answer on the floor, but it’s something we would certainly look into,” says Luckich.

TR Industries will exhibit in Booth #928

Production managers and supervisors who specify equipment in composites plants should stop by Myers Engineering’s booth. The company, which specializes in mixing systems, has a lot to say about the evolution of processing, particularly as it relates to mixing advanced composites. “The mixing of nanoparticles has caused the industry to pay more attention to mixing,” says Cathy Strahan, marketing director. “Because you will destroy the nanospheres in these composites.”

Improved processing isn’t just for advance composites, however. Manufacturers in general are mixing more materials and different types of materials into their products. “The materials that they need to mix in have changed. They’re offering more durability, UV protection and light weight,” says Strahan. “Mixing those composite now takes more finesse, or you’ll destroy the products. If you have the wrong mixer, you won’t be profitable, the product won’t be sufficient quality, or you may take too long to make it.”

Myers Engineering will exhibit in Booth #640

The United Soybean Board experienced record traffic at its Composites 2010 booth last year, but getting attendees to stop by wasn’t always easy. “It used to be that a few years ago, people would walk by and mumble underneath their breath, ‘Soybeans, that’s what you eat,’” says Dwight Rust, the USB’s representative. “Last year, we found that people walked by, stopped and talked to us. There’s been a change in attitude about the use of renewable products in composites.”

Rust represents the New Uses Committee of the USB, which funds research that explores the increase of soybeans in industrial products, including coatings, adhesives and thermoset plastics.  “When a farmer sells his soybeans, one half of one percent of his dollar sales goes to the USB,” Rust says. “Half of that goes to about 33 states in proportion to the amount of soybeans they produce. The other half goes to a national board.” That board comprises farmers who determine on what project the money will be spent.

The USB has funded research by resin companies and other material suppliers, private individuals and universities, and end users. “We like to see whether it’s a large use of soybeans or not. We spend on development projects, so we look at whether we believe that it will be commercially viable at some point in time,” says Rust. “If we fund a university, we try to find a commercial partner that’s interested in the project who’s willing to put more money into it to make it a commercial reality.”

The United Soybean Board will exhibit at Booth #649

Manufacturers want to enter new and emerging markets, and they want to know how suppliers will help them, says Bill Luzier, business director, energy, building & construction at Arkema Inc. “Many of our customers are looking for areas that will fuel their growth, especially in the economy downtimes we’ve had in the past two years,” he says. “So we frequently get questions around what we you have that’ new, what kind of things can we provide us that will help them get into those areas.”

Arkema, which will highlight its line of organic peroxides, reactivity controllers and other products at Composites 2010, is focused on alternative energy applications, Luzier says. The BlocBuilder RC-50 reactivity controller, for instance, is helping manufacturers adopt infusion and pultrusion processes that fit wind energy applications. “Those wind blades are very thick parts,” says Luzier. “The infusion process can be used to make those very thick parts, so the RC 50 will enable some of our customers to produce those kinds of parts through an infusion process where they would have struggled before.” Additionally, Luzier says the use or RC 50 results in improved adhesion, toughness and pigment dispersion in the cured product.

Arkema will exhibit at Booth #729

Graco Inc. will exhibit in Booth #762

PPG will showcase two new fiberglass rovings at Composites 2010. Its Hybon 2026 fiberglass roving is a high-performance fiberglass for use in wind energy and other markets that enables manufacturers to make larger wind turbine blades, according to a company press release. The TurRov 4575 fiberglass roving is designed for the automotive industry and other applications requiring a high-performance LFT product.

PPG representatives will also talk with attendees about its Mil-Tough ICB Blast & Ballistic Panels. The precast fiberglass-reinforced Inorganic Composite Binder (ICB) panels enhance blast and ballistic resistance in thinner, lighter forms than traditional steel reinforced concrete systems, according to a company press release.   The panels can be custom manufactured to a variety of sizes and shapes based on the threat level defined by the customer, and can be used in new or existing structures.

PPG Inc. will exhibit at Booth #739

Evaluating a cutting machine comes down to two big questions: What can it cut and how much can it cut? At Composites 2010, Lectra will showcase its Vector Techtex FX, an automated cutting solution that can cut a single ply or up to an inch of stacked compressed material, including fiberglass, pregpreg, woven unidirectional materials, mylar, honeycomb and more.

Choosing the right cutting machine and software can help manufacturers cut cycle time and material consumption, says Melissa Vidakovic, marketing manager. A patented feature of the Techtex FX allows cutting to continue while the material advances. The cutters also leave a small buffer between pieces, so that waste is minimal. “In the composites industry, one thing that manufacturers face is reducing that material waste, because materials can be pretty pricey,” says Vidkovic. “If you’re using an automated machine, you’re using the most fabric you can.

The company will also feature the Design Concept TechTex., a design software solution that allows manufacturers to develop 2D templates from 3D shapes. The software enables users to create virtual models, develop templates, analyze feasibility, and it flattens pattern designs for cutting. “It’s specifically adapted to the production of seat interiors for the automotive, nautical and marine segments, but it has various applications,” says Vidakovic.

Lectra will exhibit at Booth #845