GM resistance spot welding process joins aluminum to aluminum
24 September 2012
General Motors Research & Development developed an aluminum-to-aluminum welding technology expected to enable more use of the lightweight metal on future vehicles, which can help improve fuel economy and driving performance.
GM’s resistance spot welding process uses a patented multi-ring domed electrode that does what smooth electrodes are unreliable at doing—welding aluminum to aluminum. By using this process GM expects to eliminate nearly two pounds of rivets from aluminum body parts such as hoods, liftgates and doors.
GM already uses this patented process on the hood of the Cadillac CTS-V and the liftgate of the hybrid versions of Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. GM plans to use this technology more extensively starting in 2013.
The ability to weld aluminum body structures and closures in such a robust fashion will give GM a unique manufacturing advantage. This new technology solves the long-standing problem of spot welding aluminum, which is how all manufacturers have welded steel parts together for decades. It is an important step forward that will grow in importance as we increase the use of aluminum in our cars, trucks and crossovers over the next several years.
—Jon Lauckner, GM chief technology officer and vice president of Global R&D
Spot welding uses two opposing electrode pincers to compress and fuse pieces of metal together, using an electrical current to create intense heat to form a weld. The process is inexpensive, fast and reliable, but until now, not robust for use on aluminum in today’s manufacturing environment. GM’s new welding technique works on sheet, extruded and cast aluminum because GM’s proprietary multi-ring domed electrode head disrupts the oxide on aluminum’s surface to enable a stronger weld.
Historically, automakers have used self-piercing rivets to join aluminum body parts, because of variability in production with conventional resistance spot welding. However, rivets add cost and riveting guns have a limited range of joint configurations. In addition, end-of-life recycling of aluminum parts containing rivets is more complex.
No other automaker is spot-welding aluminum body structures to the extent we are planning to, and this technology will allow us to do so at low cost. We also intend to consider licensing the technology for non-GM production in automotive, heavy truck, rail and aerospace applications.
—Blair Carlson, GM manufacturing systems research lab group manager
According to Ducker Worldwide, a Michigan-based market research firm, aluminum use in vehicles is expected to double by 2025. The material offers many advantages over steel. One kilogram of aluminum can replace two kilograms of steel. It is corrosion-resistant and offers an excellent blend of strength and low mass that can help improve fuel economy and performance.
According to AluminumTransportation.org, a 5–7% fuel savings can be realized for every 10% weight reduction, and substituting lightweight aluminum for a heavier material is one way to do it. Cars made lighter with aluminum also can accelerate faster and brake quicker than their heavier counterparts.
This is a nice piece of technological progress. In addition to the weight savings there rae productivity increases and capital savings as well. It should be possible to manufacture an aluminum, or partially aluminum, car on the same line as a steel one, with only electrode hand changes to the robots.
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Posted by: D | 24 September 2012 at 11:49 AM
Do you ever wonder which is the most important post on a given page ?
This could be it for this page!
Posted by: mahonj | 24 September 2012 at 02:30 PM
Yes, this could make aluminum car bodies more competitive. Electrified vehicles would benefit most. Welding robots could be equipped with multiple electrodes to spot weld different materials without human contribution.
Posted by: HarveyD | 24 September 2012 at 03:44 PM