My neice Jazmin (that's her on the right) stopped by and took some nice photos on her way back from summer camp at Chewelah.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Jaz in the Vines
My neice Jazmin (that's her on the right) stopped by and took some nice photos on her way back from summer camp at Chewelah.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Carbon Fiber From Moses Lake Plant Will Equal Current World Output
BMW/SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers has plans to produce as much carbon fiber in its Moses Lake plant as is currently produced in the entire world, according to a July 25 article in the Columbia Basin Herald.
The plant began producing carbon fiber last week. The first two production lines, employing about 80 people, will be fully operational this quarter. Those two lines will produce 3,000 metric tons of carbon fiber per year - nearly 10 percent of total world production - according to plant manager Steve Swanson.
Swanson went on to say that BMW/SGL expects to see "some huge future growth in this market." The company holds an option for 60 acres of additional land next to the existing plant. "We can put another eight carbon lines on that 60 acres, close to 30,000 tons," said Swanson. "Our intent is to match the world market. That's very close to matching the world market [of 35,000 metric tons]. I can tell you, that's our intent, to get to that point."
Where will all that carbon fiber be used? Currently the company has only acknowledged plans to use the material in BMW's future MegaCity Vehicle, the i3, and the BMW i8, "a full hybrid sports car." Both vehicles are scheduled for launch in 2013.
But the company's vision clearly encompasses much more than those two vehicles. Swanson pointed out that the use of carbon fiber in aerospace manufacturing has grown dramatically in the past two decades. "Why would we think the same doesn't happen in automotive?" he asked. "Of course it will. Carbon fiber is very strong, light, corrosion-resistant, does not show fatigue and just outlasts any type of metal."
The company recycles as much as it can and has the technology to recycle its material and put it back into parts.
"No one else has this technology," Swanson said. "BMW developed it and it's definitely a big part of our business."
Read the full article here
The plant began producing carbon fiber last week. The first two production lines, employing about 80 people, will be fully operational this quarter. Those two lines will produce 3,000 metric tons of carbon fiber per year - nearly 10 percent of total world production - according to plant manager Steve Swanson.
Swanson went on to say that BMW/SGL expects to see "some huge future growth in this market." The company holds an option for 60 acres of additional land next to the existing plant. "We can put another eight carbon lines on that 60 acres, close to 30,000 tons," said Swanson. "Our intent is to match the world market. That's very close to matching the world market [of 35,000 metric tons]. I can tell you, that's our intent, to get to that point."
Where will all that carbon fiber be used? Currently the company has only acknowledged plans to use the material in BMW's future MegaCity Vehicle, the i3, and the BMW i8, "a full hybrid sports car." Both vehicles are scheduled for launch in 2013.
But the company's vision clearly encompasses much more than those two vehicles. Swanson pointed out that the use of carbon fiber in aerospace manufacturing has grown dramatically in the past two decades. "Why would we think the same doesn't happen in automotive?" he asked. "Of course it will. Carbon fiber is very strong, light, corrosion-resistant, does not show fatigue and just outlasts any type of metal."
The company recycles as much as it can and has the technology to recycle its material and put it back into parts.
"No one else has this technology," Swanson said. "BMW developed it and it's definitely a big part of our business."
Read the full article here
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
