Plastics & Metal Welding Assembly - Articles - Page 13

US Bike Manufacturers Ramp Up Assembly Lines

Business is booming for bicycles, but domestic production lags behind.

July 6, 2021

The bicycle industry has emerged as one of the few beneficiaries of the coronavirus pandemic, as people search for ways to stay active, entertain children and commute to work. By some estimates, bicycle sales nationwide surged by 50 percent last year.

New Materials, New Fasteners

As automakers replace steel with lightweight materials, new fasteners will replace conventional screws.

John Sprovieri

June 11, 2021

Steel has been, is now, and will continue to be the predominant material for vehicle structures and body parts, such as doors, hoods, liftgates and fenders. But, other materials, such as aluminum, magnesium, plastics and composites, are becoming increasingly important.

New Friction Welding Process Requires Less Force

John Sprovieri

May 19, 2021

To join two aluminum parts, you could, in theory, place one atop the other and wait 100 years. The two will eventually form a solid-state bond. Metals naturally want to join with each other.

New Laser Welding Process Attaches Battery Tabs

April 22, 2021

REUTLINGEN, Germany—Manz AG has developed a new laser welding process for use in lithium-ion battery cell production applications. It claims that the technology has numerous advantages over traditional ultrasonic welding, such as fewer steps needed to attach tabs.

Deere Uses AI on Assembly Lines to Discover Defective Welds

April 14, 2021

MOLINE, IL—Deere & Co. is using artificial intelligence and machine vision to detect and fix porosity defects in welds on its tractors.

Optimizing the Spot Welding Process

Spot welding can be improved in many ways, starting with selecting the right machine, maintaining heat balance and using advanced controls.

Jim Camillo

April 13, 2021

Kaizen, or continuous improvement, is a basic tenet of lean manufacturing. It says, in effect, that less-than-optimal is never acceptable. The concept can be applied to every major assembly process, including resistance spot welding.

Emerson Opens $49 Million Global Headquarters for Welding and Assembly Technologies

February 15, 2021

BROOKFIELD, CT—Emerson recently opened its new Branson welding and assembly technologies’ global headquarters here. This opening completes Emerson’s $49 million investment announced in April 2019.

We Fed It: Flex Feeder Handles Plastic Clips

John Sprovieri

February 10, 2021

Plastic clips and fasteners are becoming increasingly popular in the automotive industry. They are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and quick and easy to install.

How Automation Accelerates Reshoring—Part 2

Harry Moser

February 9, 2021

Vibration Welding Adapts to Shifting Demands

Additive manufacturing, electric vehicles and packaging are new applications for vibration welders.

Austin Weber

February 8, 2021

Many automotive engineers have nightmares about noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) issues. Ironically, one of those pests, vibration, is widely used to assemble many types of plastic auto parts.