BAUNATAL, Germany—A robot accidentally killed a worker at Volkswagen’s automotive assembly plant here. The robot pressed the worker up against a metal plate, crushing his chest.
Like any technology, welding continues to evolve. This is especially true for a technique known as flash-butt welding, which has been around since the early 20th century.
SOUTH BEND, IN—It’s 20 feet tall, weighs about 400,000 pounds and is now making its way from South Bend to Connecticut: It's the world's largest friction welding machine. Pratt & Whitney will use the machine, made by Manufacturing Technology Inc., to weld large-diameter jet engine components.
ANN ARBOR, MI—A total of 6,895 robots valued at approximately $435.1 million were ordered from North American companies during the first quarter of 2015. That’s an increase of 16 percent in units and 29 percent in dollars compared with the same period in 2014. Both orders and shipments in the opening quarter beat the previous record for the first quarter last set in 2013.
Part of the Bosch Group since 1951, Bosch India Ltd. is India’s largest manufacturer of automotive components, such as fuel injection systems, electronics and aftermarket products.
OAK RIDGE, TN—With an aim toward automotive applications, APLAIR Manufacturing Systems will commercialize a new weld inspection technology developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Established methods—like ultrasonic and resistance welding—increasingly face competition from advancing technologies like laser, friction and micro welding.