Are we Prepared? Composites Solutions for Blast Mitigation in Aircraft Await in the Wings After the explosion that brought down Pan Am Flight 103 changed air travel, the FFA was asked to investigate designs and technologies that would protect aircraft against explosive devices planted in luggage. Money was invested in composites cargo containers, but the FFA implemented a strategy that focused more on luggage than screening. Are we as prepared as we can be? By Russ Fisher

New Software Design Optimization Capability Allows Engineers to Set Metals Aside for Composites
For companies with little or no experience, introducing new materials like composites can be a daunting and complex technical challenge. NCC's finite element analysis package, Genesis (TM) Design Optimization allows manufacturers to integrate composites into structural designs in a cost effective manner.
By Scott Reeve

Troubleshooting: Techniques for Screening Resins and Resin Formulations for Optimum Pultrusion Performance
Although there are various types of unsaturated polyester pultrusion resins, market demands, a myriad of fillers and pigments, and infinite peroxide combinations, with the proper tools pultrusion resin may be tuned quite nicely, or at the very minimum one can avoid costly mistakes.
By Kevin Spoo

Columns:
ACMA Up Front
CM Publisher and ACMA Executive Director Missy Henriksen believes it's one of an association's foremost responsibilities to honor excellence in lifetime achievement for those pioneers who have molded the composites industry. Nominate your hero for recognition.

Reinforced People
CM Magazine Contributor and Miles Fiberglass and Composites Vice President Lori Luchak analyzes the benefits of health savings accounts.

Pulling Strings
CM Magazine's Roxanne Fraver interviews Sawyer Industrial Plastics President Bill Sawyer.