Joining Technologies

© Fraunhofer IPA / Rainer Bez

Today’s industry uses modern materials and material combinations (multi-material design). Especially in the field of lightweight engineering, it is essential that joining techniques meet requirements Multi-material design is found in most sectors of industry and poses a major challenge regarding the joining technologies used. Many modern materials and their combinations can only be joined to a certain degree with conventional techniques or even not at all. For this reason, existing joining technologies need to be further developed and research into new joining technologies carried out.

Extensive experience has been gained in joining technologies such welding or soldering, as well as in automating these processes. However, due to the enormous demands placed on the joins, using these joining methods is often no longer an option. The Department of Lightweight Construction Technologies addresses this problem by combining different techniques and optimizing processes, for example by superimposing vibrations. We also actively conduct research on state-of-the-art joining technologies, such as friction sir welding and bonding, to identify and further exploit their potential.

Expertise

We help you find solutions to your joining technology issues

 

Bonding

With adhesives, even materials of different types can be bonded together. This offers significant advantages, for example when it comes to lightweight engineering.

 

Friction Stir Welding

Due to the high quality of the weld seam and the ability to incorporate reinforcing phases of composite materials into the weld seam, this process is of particular interest for lightweight engineering applications.

Services

With our extensive range of machinery and measuring equipment, we can find the solution to your issues.

Reference projects

Here you will find an overview of current and past projects

 

Bonding circular saw blades

In the IGF project #19446 N, techniques for bonding composite circular saw blades for wood, plastics and aluminium were investigated. Duration: 04/2017 – 09/2019

 

HigHKO

In the joint project HigHKo, a prototype of a highly integrative rear end of a battery-powered electric vehicle, consisting mainly of the components battery system, chassis, and body, was constructed.

 

Robotic drilling and riveting

The aim of the RDR (Robotic Drilling and Riveting) project was to develop technologies for high accuracy robot-assisted drilling and riveting processes.