Friction Welding

ecoTECH, part of Clean Sky2's Airframe ITD, focuses on eco-design to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft production globally. Innovations in materials, processes, and recycling aim for green manufacturing, maintenance, and end-of-life benefits. Four demonstrators (thermoplastic, thermoset, metallic, and biomaterial) will validate novel materials and technologies, aiming to lower CO2 and NOx emissions and reduce waste throughout the non-operational aspects of aircraft production and life-cycle management.

The LightBEE project addresses a vital challenge: optimizing battery carrier design for manufacturability. Integrating key manufacturing technologies, it aims to create an advanced battery carrier with lightweight construction, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendly manufacturing, and enhanced crashworthiness. The goal is to overcome barriers in designing high added-value components, achieving a lighter, safer, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly carrier through the use of lightweight materials, multi-material solutions, and advanced joining techniques. This approach marks a significant step towards sustainable and efficient electric vehicles.

The project addresses the need to implement high-speed FSW (Friction Stir Welding) in the automotive sector, especially in the context of electric mobility (e-mobility). The growing demand for electric vehicles requires more efficient and faster manufacturing processes without compromising quality. FSW welding presents an advanced solution for joining lightweight materials like aluminum, which is crucial for reducing weight and improving the energy efficiency of vehicles.

Renault España lidera este innovador proyecto para la creación de un ecosistema industrial centrado en la fabricación de vehículos eléctricos y conectados aglutinando 31 iniciativas entorno a la descarbonización, la conectividad y la movilidad como servicio.

Develop and implement new systems for advanced control of the rotary friction welding process. To achieve this, a new process control system will be developed as well as critical sub-systems capable of providing the performance characteristics demanded by highly demanding applications from the control point of view in the manufacture of components by rotary friction welding.

The project addresses the need to lighten structures through the welding of aluminum and steel components. The solution involves designing and manufacturing structures using bimetallic materials with explosion welding, arc welding, and Friction Stir Welding (FSW). LORTEK contributes by developing the FSW process, including tools and specific parameters, in collaboration with CAF R&D.