If it rolls, floats or flies, lightweighting is one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today. The push for new materials is forcing engineers in a variety of industries to explore cost-effective alternatives and develop new assembly processes.

Friction stir spot welding has many advantages compared with riveting or resistance spot welding.

ROCKY HILL, CT—Novelis, a manufacturer of automotive aluminum sheet, and Henkel Adhesive Technologies have agreed to collaborate on the development of advanced bonding technologies for aluminum in high-volume vehicles.

Rivets, screws and other joining processes play a key role behind the new F-150.