The 2030’s will no doubt be a decade that challenges everything we thought we knew about technology. It’s when NASA plans to send the first human to Mars, and it’s also when many automotive manufacturers are focusing on the electrification of products, balanced against regional demand and regulatory evolution.
As more consumers trade in their combustion-engine vehicles for greener modes of transportation, demand for traditional automotive parts is shifting. With this transition, parts like pistons are taking a back seat to cooling plates and other hybrid-vehicle-specific applications.
So, what is an automotive manufacturer to do? It still needs to join parts for combustion engines, but it also needs more space (both physically and logistically) to re-tool and deliver on its hybrid and electric vehicle demands.
MTI’s contract friction welding team for dedicated small batch manufacturing services.
Discover Our Contract Friction Welding Services for Small-Batch Runs
At our state-of-the-art facilities in South Bend, Indiana, and Kingswinford, United Kingdom, automotive manufacturers can rely on the most experienced team of friction welding experts to handle their small-batch solid-state joining jobs from start to finish.
With dozens of friction welding machines across three locations, a dedicated metallurgical lab, CNC capabilities, and a variety of other pre- and post-weld processes, automotive manufacturers can explore custom friction welding applications. They can free up their floors to support the production of hybrid and electric vehicle components while still meeting the demands of their combustion engine customers.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” says Manufacturing Services General Manager Jacob Smith. “Automakers can now trust that their applications are being friction-welded by a team with decades of experience with combustion engine parts, while still being able to focus on the shifting needs across their shop floors.”
Contract Friction Welding Flexibility for Any Small-Batch Production
MTI’s Manufacturing Services team offers contract manufacturing options. We are equipped to handle one part every few seconds to one part every few months – and everything in between in our small batch contract manufacturing services.
“Small-batch runs can find the perfect home within our contract friction welding buildings,” Smith says. “We can meet the requirements for service orders up to full-line production orders. You can also rest assured knowing any customer communication will be handled with our onsite inside sales coordinator, who will help keep you updated on the progress of your orders as well as answer any questions you may have.”
The South Bend location has 117,000 square feet of production space, allowing our team to receive your parts, join them, pack them, and ship them out to meet your grueling deadlines. The space also allows for the setup of fully automated cells.
Additionally, our FWT facility in Pune offers 14,000 square feet of production space for contract services in rotary friction welding and friction stir welding. The facility also provides value-added pre- and post-weld processing, including cutting, post-weld machining, and heat treatment.
Chris Price, who manages subcontract friction welding in the UK, says now is the perfect time for automakers to switch their combustion-engine components to MTI.
“It just makes sense,” Price explains. “Change is inevitable, and MTI is here to help bridge that gap.”
Across the US, the UK, and India, all three MTI facilities are ISO 9001:2015-certified.
Ready to Partner with MTI’s Friction Welding Process for Small-Batch Part Production?
The electrification of vehicles is just one reason your company may be considering small-batch part runs. Even if you aren’t yet in a position to fully hand over the friction welding of your combustion engine parts to our Manufacturing Services team, we are ready and eager to assist in overflow situations or during machine maintenance. Check out our newest customer story with Rivian Automotive, Inc. to see how MTI’s contract welding team was able to help with their new electric vehicle program!
“Manufacturing Services can be considered an extension of your company as we work together to determine how MTI best aligns with your business needs,” Smith says.
Getting Started
To learn more about MTI’s contract friction welding capabilities, reach out to our knowledgeable sales team!
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