9th World Pultrusion Conference

Papers:
Interested companies and pultrusion industry professionals have been invited to submit papers for this industry event.

ALL ABSTRACTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT BROCHURE.
Click here to download (PDF 670 kB).

A total of 17 presentations will be given during this Conference, including the following two KEY NOTE papers.

KEY NOTE 1:
How to build a Hovercraft with an all pultruded main structure
William Hayden, Vice-President of Engineering, ATLAS Hovercraft, Inc., USA

ATLAS Hovercraft, Inc., is the largest air cushion design and construction company in the world.

One of the key components in the ATLAS AH-100-P is the extensive use of pultruded composite construction. This delivers a strong yet light-weight structure that will not rust or corrode like conventional steel and aluminum vessels. Using no traditional mechanical fastening, the pultruded ATLAS Hovercraft is bonded together using the "chemical welding" process of modern methacrylate adhesives. Mr. Hayden will present the story of designing and building the largest pultrtuded marine vessel and Hovercraft ever constructed and a glimpse into the exciting future of Hovercraft Transportation.

KEY NOTE 2:
The State of the North American Pultrusion Industry and update on the LRFD Design Standard
Mr. Tom Dobbins, Chief Staff Executive, American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), USA
There are several trends in the North American Pultrusion Industry. The industry continues to grow. There is consolidation in the industry as companies try to achieve economies of scale. The growth in the industry is being driven by new applications for pultruded FRP. Growing sectors include transportation, especially in bridge construction; and replacement of wood and other materials in consumer and other applications. These highlight the nearly 2 dozen major markets that are currently being served by the industry. Advances in materials and new processes have enabled manufacturers to create new or improved products to expand the scope of the industry.
The ACMA is working proactively to grow the industry through the development of standards. Lead by the Pultrusion Industry Council, ACMA is conducting a $1.3 million dollar study on the construct properties of pultruded FRP- the Load Resistance Factor Design standards. These will provide critical information for designers to specify FRP as a replacement for traditional construction materials. The focus of this presentation is to provide updates and advancements in the North American Pultrusion Industry.

Opening Speech:
The Conference will be opened by a speech from Prof. Luigi Nicolais. Prof. Nicolais is Minister for the Reform and Innovation in the Public Administration in the Cabinet led by Romano Prodi.

Click here to read the full curriculum of Prof. Nicolais.

Brisk Events is the official appointed organizer of this EPTA Conference. Visit EPTA on their website at: http://www.pultruders.com

For more information please contact:

Jaap H. Ketel
BRISK EVENTS
P.O. Box 18, 3830 AA Leusden,
The Netherlands.
Tel. +31-33-4343500
Fax. +31-33-4343501
Jaap.ketel@briskevents.nl