NIAR, which aims to provide research, transfer technology and education for advancing the aviation industry, will use the VISTAGY FiberSIM® composites engineering software in its Composites and Advanced Materials Laboratory to understand the potential for, and limitations of, composites in the aviation industry.
Researchers and technicians in the NIAR Composites Lab perform layup and bonding operations and conduct research to understand the effects of heat, moisture, contamination and repairs on advanced composite materials. The results will be used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as the institute's clients.
"VISTAGY's role as one of the leading composites engineering firms and its extensive experience in the aerospace industry will add a lot to our research and training efforts," says Dr John Tomblin, executive director of NIAR, a division of Wichita State University. "As aerospace materials continue to change in the future, FiberSIM will enable our research engineers, clients and students to fully understand how best to apply composites in an aerospace environment."
"We're pleased to partner with an organisation that is at the forefront of finding solutions to the world's most challenging aviation problems," comments Steve Peck, director of product and market strategy for aerostructures at VISTAGY of Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. "This relationship will provide a great opportunity for us to advance composites technologies within the institution's participating companies as well as educate engineering students who will be working in the industry in the not-too-distant future."
