Title: Latest advances in joining technologies for automotive body manufacturing

Authors: He Tang

Addresses: Manufacturing Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC, CIMS 482-04-18, 800 Chrysler Drive East, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326-2757, USA

Abstract: This paper reviews the latest developments in joining technologies for automotive body assembly manufacturing. The recent evolution of Resistance Spot Welding (RSW), which has been predominantly used in automotive body assembly for decades, is reviewed first. Laser Beam Welding (LBW) with growing applications is discussed, too. Compared to RSW and LBW, other types of welding, mechanical joining and adhesive bonding techniques are also concisely evaluated. This application-oriented review of joining technologies is concentrated on their capability and issues, such as quality, throughput and cost-effectiveness, for automotive body assembly operations. Accordingly, comments are provided on the current and future applications of the joining technologies.

Keywords: automotive body-in-white; BIW; sheet metal; automotive assembly; automotive manufacturing; joining; resistance welding; LBW; mechanical joining; automobile industry; vehicle body assembly; resistance spot welding; RSW; laser beam welding; adhesive bonding; quality; throughput; cost-effectiveness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2010.034867

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2010 Vol.54 No.1, pp.1 - 25

Received: 25 May 2006
Accepted: 09 Jan 2007
Published online: 26 Aug 2010 *

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