Building the Future of Rail Welding
On Track: Project Progress
With support from the Federal Railroad Administration, MTI and the University of Notre Dame are developing innovative Low Force friction welding technology for long rail applications. Follow the milestones below to track project progress as we move from research and development through testing, validation, and industry implementation.
September 2024
Steel Dynamics Joins the Team
As the project was under consideration for FRA funding, Steel Dynamics, Inc. joined the team as an industry partner to provide rail industry expertise and materials to support technology validation and future commercialization.
October 2024
Selected for the FRA CRISI Program
Notre Dame and MTI chosen to develop a full-scale Low Force Friction Welding machine for continuous welded rail.
CRISI project grant selections announced: The University of Notre Dame & Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) selected by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the development and testing of a full-scale Low Force Friction Welding machine for continuous welded rail. This project aims to develop and design a new rail-welding process capable of welding full sections of 136lb rail to reduce costs for continuous welded rail.
FY 2023-2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program: Project Summaries
March 2026
CRISI Funding Formally Obligated
The project team is cleared to move into implementation
Federal funding for the CRISI project was formally obligated, enabling the project team to move forward with implementation.
Daniel C. Adams

President & Chief Executive Officer,
Manufacturing Technology, Inc.
Robert Landers

Advanced Manufacturing Collegiate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
Simon Jones

Director of Aerospace Development & Low Force, Manufacturing Technology, Inc.
April 2026
Pandrol Joins as an Industry Partner
Rail infrastructure expertise and end-user insight for technology validation
As the project gained momentum, Pandrol joined as an industry partner, providing specialized knowledge in thermite rail welding and rail infrastructure. Their participation supports comparative testing and helps ensure the new technology is evaluated against established industry practices.
May 2026
Low Force Advances Presented at TWI
Simon Jones at TWI’s International Friction Welding Conference
Simon Jones, Director of Aerospace & Low Force Business Development, presented at TWI’s International Friction Welding Conference on recent advancements in MTI’s Low Force Friction Welding technology — including the work connected to the FRA rail program in collaboration with Industry Labs at the University of Notre Dame.
