Machine Talk Blog

Friction Welding has become the premier choice for companies looking to join dissimilar metals.  Because Friction Welding is a solid-state joining process that does not require melting, it allows for the bonding of two metals, such as Copper and Aluminum, that may be impossible to join with more traditional welding techniques.

With fusion welding processes like MIG and TIG welding, it can be challenging to join dissimilar metals because they often differ substantially in composition and physical, mechanical and metallurgical properties.

Tom Budd, MTI Friction Welding Solutions Manager, poses in the MTI booth at the Pacific Design & Manufacturing Show in Anaheim, California

More companies than ever now understand the benefits of Friction Welding, thanks to MTI's recent appearance at the Pacific Design & Manufacturing Show.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The friction welding experts at Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) are helping welcome the next generation of American space travel and preparing to launch NASA astronauts on missions to deep space through the world’s only exploration-class space systems: NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft and the Exploration Ground Systems that launch these vehicles.   

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Continuing its longtime dedication to excellence, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) has renewed its AS9100 certification, a key quality indicator for companies working in the aerospace and defense industries.

As the global leader in Friction Welding, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) is always looking forward, searching for ways to help put the future of innovative manufacturing into customers’ hands.

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 9, 2018: Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) has shipped North America’s first linear friction welder capable of full sized part development to the LIFT - Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow facility in Detroit where it will contribute to cutting edge lightweighting research in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Jamie Clews (MTI Global Controls Technical Lead), Brian Roberts (MTI Manufacturing Operations Lead), Scott Knoll (Amerisure Senior Risk Management Consultant), Daniel C. Adams (MTI President & CEO), Mark Wobbe (Gibson Principal, Risk Advisor), MariClare Osborn (MTI Director of Human Resources), and Jeff Lovin (MTI Director of Technical Operations).  

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 28, 2018:  Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) today was awarded for outstanding safety performance by Amerisure Insurance Company. MTI was presented the award at its world headquarters in South Bend, IN after maintaining 365 days without a recordable incident. The last time the company achieved this was in 2005.  Additionally, MTI has sustained an impressive 419 days without a loss time incident during the period beginning on July 2017 through September 2018.

Global joining solutions provider MTI has collaborated with technology company HMK, the Siemens motion partner, to pioneer the development of a double axle friction welding machine worth in excess of $2.4 million for one of the world’s leading trailer manufacturers.

South Bend, IN - October 6, 2017:  Manufacturing Technology, Inc (MTI) opened its doors to area high schoolers in celebration of Manufacturing Day. The nation-wide event introduces the next generation of workers to high-skilled careers in modern manufacturing.

Students from Riley, Washington, and Adams High School attended the event, which was held at MTI’s world headquarters. 

SOUTH BEND, IN -- Former astronaut Brian Duffy along with representatives from NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Orbital ATK acknowledged Manufacturing Technology, Inc (MTI) for its contributions to the NASA Space Launch System (SLS).

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Jim Hoffman (Chief Metallurgist and Quality Assurance), Sherri Lotter (Inside Sales Coordinator), Zach Danko (Process Engineer), Jordan Walser (Process Engineer), Jacob Smith (Production Manager), Gabe Hostetter (Process Engineer).

SOUTH BEND, IN - To demonstrate a continued commitment to quality, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) announces that they have been successful in achieving Nadcap accreditation for welding at their Sheridan Street location. 

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Bob Besse (MTI VP Sales & Marketing), Jeanette Lapehn (MTI Spare Parts Manager), Mike Laiman (MTI Manufacturing Services Business Unit Manager), Dan Adams (MTI President & CEO), Brian Roberts (MTI Manufacturing Operations Lead), Mohamed Elnaggar (AR Specialist Engineer), David Sherman (AR Manufacturing Engineer), Heath Cheung (AR Project Engineer), Kent Majewski (AR Associate Engineer), James Bartlett (AR Sr. Specialist Engineer).

SOUTH BEND, IN - Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD), has recognized Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) for its work on the RS-25 rocket engine, a key element of NASA’s space exploration program.  MTI was instrumental in the refurbishment of the inertia welder and production inertia welding for the RS-25 Main Injector. 

SOUTH BEND, IN - Ball Aerospace has recognized Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) for outstanding technical performance on the TIRS-02 Program, a NASA initiative which uses thermal infrared sensors to measure the Earth’s temperature.  MTI played an integral role by joining together titanium and copper for the TIRS-02 Cryocooler, which is used on the Landsat Data Continuity satellite.

“We were thrilled to work with Ball Aerospace and work together to find a joining solution that met their needs” said Mike Laiman, MTI’s Manufacturing Services Business Unit Manager.  “Collaboration was key to our success.”

SOUTH BEND, IN - Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) today announced changes to the company’s leadership team, as well as the addition of three outside Board of Director members.  The changes are part of the company’s focus on new product development, operations, and sales.

Dan Adams, who is currently MTI’s President and one of the company’s fourth generation owners, is assuming the role of CEO.  He will continue overseeing the company’s recently launched new product development efforts. 

SOUTH BEND, IN – Manufacturing Technology Inc., (MTI) announced it will develop North America’s largest Linear Friction Welder, in terms of force capacity and tooling envelope, and deliver it to LIFT – Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow – for use in lightweight metals research and development projects, based in Detroit.

SOUTH BEND, IN-  As part of an ongoing strategy of investing in and adapting to the best market opportunities, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) is proactively realigning its US machine build and corporate operations.  This allows the company to be more cost competitive, and will result in 24 positions being eliminated or reassigned. MTI’s UK operation is not affected.

MTI’s US business is built around large complex friction welding machines, a successful niche, but only a small portion of the global market.  The global friction welding machine market is dominated by smaller automated machines.  This is a segment where the US operation has become much less cost competitive over time.

SOUTH BEND, IN - September 16, 2016: Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) reconnected with leadership guru and award-winning author David Marquet.

During an Executive Forums Leadership Summit attended by MTI and other organizations, Marquet demonstrated the importance of leading with intent. Marquet believes the ideal workplace is one where everyone participates and contributes their full intellectual capacity.

Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) announced that the company has finalized the purchase of ProSpot, a resistance welding company located in Tamworth, United Kingdom.  The acquisition doubles the size of MTI’s UK subsidiary and serves as a springboard into further European expansion.

Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) today announced that the company has finalized the purchase of a 127,000 square foot building located on Sheridan Street in South Bend. The new facility will more than double the size of the company’s growing Manufacturing Services division, which designs, develops and produces friction-welded parts for the aerospace, automotive and medical device industries. The building was formerly owned by the Mohawk Door division of Masonite International Corporation.