Center Areas of Concentration
Mechanical joining
Mechanical joining involves connecting surfaces with bolts, rivets, geometric projections, adhesives and hybrid methods. Center affiliates have expertise in process selection, best practices, determination of process parameters, mechanical properties, fatigue analysis and structural engineering. Emphasis is directed toward automating the joining process. This broad subject area includes:
- Threaded fasteners
- Clinching, riveting, forming and swaging with geometric projections
- Mechanical joint design and analysis
- Adhesive bonding
- Non-destructive evaluation
Welding, brazing and soldering
Welding includes most forms of fusion welding capable of connecting surfaces. Particular expertise of the center includes process selection, thermal analysis, joint design and metalography. The center conducts research in soldering, brazing and surface mount technology. Specialties in this field include:
- Hot fusion (or arc) welding, resistance welding and friction welding
- Plastic welding
- Soldering and brazing and diffusion bonding
- Surface engineering
Assembly
Assembly technology incorporates various mechanisms for the autonomous transfer and arrangement of components into final products. In addition, assembly includes processes necessary to ensure successful automation, such as deburring and surface finishing technologies. Assembly processes must complement the design, implementation and optimization of joining. The center’s expertise in automated assembly provides opportunities for competitive manufacturing. Components of this area of expertise include:
- Robotics and automation
- Deburring and surface finishing
- Manufacturing assurance, quality control and inspection
- Industrial design and ergonomics
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