Lattice and composite structures have been used widely in aerospace applications for more than a decade, and are becoming more common in many other industries and manufacturing segments. A complete and reliable assembly, of course, relies on compatibility of all its components. If you are looking for washers, fasteners, gaskets, or other components made of fibre or hard-to-find materials, contact us. We can help by suggesting different materials, or perhaps a small run of a custom item for new assemblies or prototypes.
Indeed 2017 has been an interesting one in terms of innovative plastics (and hybrid materials) showing up in more manufacturing niches. While we agree with that famous movie line, "The future is in plastics," we know metal will be around for a long, long time. The key is working with new materials that are compatible with and offer additional productivity/longevity when paired with legacy materials.