TPT May 2008

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L ike other specialities at the nexus of basic and
applied science, tube welding is in a constant state
of being made to yield more: greater integrity of the
joint, fuller automation of the process, higher and yet
higher productivity.
The composition, structure, and properties of welds
are under study and development at all times; as
are the methods – butt welding, spot welding, arc
welding, MIG, TIG, stick, orbital – on which rest the
serviceability of the product and the reputation of the
manufacturer.
But runningparallel to thesedevelopments is theadvance
of welding itself, the state-of-the-art manufacturing
process. As customer-specific fabricating becomes
more prevalent, we can expect just-in-time production
strategies to power a trend toward mass customization. Integration of
welding processes into the direct fabrication methods will likely follow.
The evolution toward real-time distribution of parts will influence the
selection of joining processes for many applications. This will demand
sensor and control technology based on sophisticated programming,
for ensuring the integrity of welded products in the new environment.
And so on.
The precise, reliable, cost-effective technique of welding is always in
progress. Asserting that industry must be alert to demographics and other
social conditions – and be able to respond quickly to the needs of the population – the American Welding Society
even discerns a humanitarian component to it.
In its ‘Vision for the welding industry’ , which
examines the issues and opportunities that the
welding industry will face in 2020, AWS cites this
example: “A market is emerging to serve the
needs of ageing baby boomers. Industry will
develop products to support this generation’s
medical requirements, creating new joining
opportunities in technologies such as
biocompatible implants.”
How many other industrial processes
can claim such synchrony with the
concerns of the great world beyond
the factory doors?
Tube & Pipe Welding:
Trends & Progress
M ay 2008 86 ›
The evolution
toward real-time
distribution of
parts will influence
the selection of
joining processes
for many
applications
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