Not sure if this thread belongs here but here we go.I wanted to know what type of courses/degree does one have to take to get into a career in composites. For people who have been considering the idea of actually doing this for a career. Please post what your major was in school/college and if you can, post what you do on a daily basis.(workwise) The more info the better!:o
what sort of career?
Most people with a high-school diploma can go and get a job as a slave at a composites shop using a chop and/or resin gun.
However, if you want to be a composites engineer the following might suit your needs:
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering/Chemistry (resin and fiber development/manufacturing)
Materials Engineering
These days, there might even be composites degrees available from select universities.
So what your saying is, Start with chem,mech engineering degree then go into composites?
I def do not want to be a slave for some company to whore me out. The fun is in engineering.
Anyone out there work in composites? Title? Company? And most important question. Is it something that you enjoy?
Honestly, be a slave for a little while, the experience gained is invaluable. The only reason I got a job sans degree is because i’ve got a couple years of experience with race car engineering, logistics, etc. etc.
I’m working as a chem. engineer/chemist now, but going to school for a BS in Mech. eng.
I enjoy what I do very much. However, that might not be the case for you, another reason to feel out the career path you think (now at least) suits you.
The reason why I’m asking about what people on the forum do is to get a better insight of what direction to take to achieve a better career.
My current “career” and has been for the past 7 years is a chef.
I’ve worked in all aspects of the food service industry from Ocean city maryland all the way to a little place called Maui, and I have offically decided its not for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook. But the hours suck, I have no life, and what I make at the end of the year does not reflect the effort and commitment I have put into it.
I have 1 year soo far completed of a computer engineering degree and I am second guessing it. I took a part time job in a semiconductor plant to get aquainted with what it was like. And frankly… I dont think it’s for me.
My plan is to jump into mech. engineering courses (computer engineering and mech. run parallel to eachother)
Therefore I will not have to take too many more classes to complete.
I am a “hands on” type of person and enjoy creating.
If there are any members out there that would like to give me some recommendations or insight on what they do I would greatly appreciate it.
Im always looking to hire a good apprentice or experienced person, If you have any interest in working for a race car composite shop in Missouri send me a message.
I too am looking to eventually get into the composites field. right now im attending pittsburgh institute of aeronautics for aeronautical maitenance and electronics… but am undecided which direction i want to stray when i am finished… all i know is it will eventually lead me to composites.
its a tough job, very time consuming and a health hazard. Personally, except the high end stuff with pre pregs and autoclaves, i wouldnt consider it for a career.
aga, What do you do? What experience have you had in the field?
Prepreg is probably much nicer to work with. High end top dollar stuff is made using prepregs.
My business is too poor to afford such luxuries. Some day perhaps.
You say you want a career in composites…i’d say start by taking a composites workshop class at a community college or university if they will allow you to. If it something you like, then dive into the engineering aspect, etc. While you are in school see if you can get an internship or job at a composites shop. Stay away from chopper gun operations.
Interesting hojo we are from Arnold Mo.and also have a house outside of Troy where abouts in Troy are you at would love to see your operation.
Mark44
exactly. but only a health hazard if you don’t watch what you are doing.
I love my job, and will only work in composites from now on, and the only thing I’m scared about is static shock!
Ah, so that is what you want!
I don’t really know of any composite colleges besides Wionia(sp?) in Minnesota, and U of Delaware in…uh…DelaWHERE?
Personally, I love U of D. Great town, great people!
I think you will have to go into a Mechanical major of sorts, along with many other courses, like chemicals, fluids, etc. I also don’t know if you can major IN composites, but as per my PM, we are huge. I’ve heard we are the richest dept in the college! Ties with tons of SBIR companies, along with the military.
So come on over to the dark sid…I mean Delaware side!
ps: tax-free shopping!
Yeah, I love UD. I actually ran food production at Kent dining hall on academy st. last year. I’m originally from West Chester Pa, and lived in newcastle and bear de. Leaving Texas in 2 weeks to go back to class at Del tech to finish off my computer engineering degree.(residency in DE.) Possibly trans my credits to UD to get my ba.
I live in Harford Co., Md, and my other half works in Northeast, MD; got any jobs open?
I don’t know, since people come and go like crazy. Students, grads, researchers, forgieners…I know we are losing one or 2 germans in a few weeks!
Start contacting people. I sent a blind resume here, and got a job!
Oh gezz, then why wait and question! 
ps: my experience is: Running a small motorcycle parts biz, which ran out of steam due to lack of room.
Started working at an antenna company who HAPPENED to make CF parabolic dishes, support structures, and other items. Then I needed out of there, and blindly sent my resume here and poof!
Right now, I do plastics research for bonding purposes. I deal with 99% of thermoplastic composites, from S2/PP, PE and PA6, to carbon and PEI, and PEEK materials. I was hired to lead manufacturing process development for essentially an armored antenna cover.
No, I don’t produce anything really, and defiantly not exciting products if I do, but it’s a great job, and I can play with anything I ever wanted to! Very relaxed environment. Other groups design and build military parts, including replacements for vehicles, etc.
Haha, You and I do similar work! I work probably 75% with thermoplastics + TiO2 (white pigment) at a TiO2 manufacturer’s R&D lab. HDPE, LDPE, PVC, PVA, etc. etc.
It’s a pretty neat gig, I just enjoy doing research work + having a laid back enviroment; not to mention, probably 30% of the employees here have PhDs. So, there’s always tons of great knowledge flying around to pick up on.
Hey riff, Is there any way you could get me into the fab for like a tour or something? It would be nice to see what is done on the fab floor.
Having a fun job is always a good thing! I wish I had some knowledge of plastics BEFORE I came on board though. I was thrown into this head first. But I am chauking it all up to experience. What a awesome place to learn anything! Might get me a higher-paying tech job later in life!
So…do you deal with colouring, or just white pigments? One of our projects will include a LDPE outter layer that will need to be painted, or dyed to MIL SPEC colors. Think you can advise me on this at all?