Yamazaki Mazak licenses Airbus friction-stir welding technology for use in its CNC machine tools

The co-operation agreement enables Mazak, under licence, to incorporate the DeltaN FS® friction-stir welding solution - developed by Airbus Group Innovations, the company's research and technology network – into a number of machining centres in the Mazak range. The DeltaN FS® technology is a next-generation solid-state friction-stir welding process that requires lower vertical down forces and further reduces post-welding distortion to efficiently produce high quality welds of exceptional strength. The process can be used to weld a range of material combinations and can be used in multiple applications, including the automotive, thermal solutions, aerospace, rail and shipbuilding sectors. Yamazaki Mazak European group managing director Marcus Burton said: "I am very pleased to announce this co-operation agreement between Airbus Group and Mazak, the world leader in multi-tasking machine tools. The introduction of the DeltaN FS® technology onto Mazak's CNC machine tools offers an exciting opportunity for manufacturers to combine welding with pre- and post-machining operations into a single, more efficient process. It is another important step in our commitment to new technology innovation, combining multiple metalworking operations onto one machine platform." Wulf Hoeflich, who heads the Airbus Group Technology Licensing initiative, added: "The DeltaN FS® technology provides exceptional quality welds, and is ideally suited to working in combination with machining operations, which together provides a cost-effective solution to customers. Our joint technical teams look forward to working closely together in introducing this advanced technology to manufacturers who want to combine operations in a single, more efficient process." DeltaN FS® friction-stir welding technology will be exhibited at the major international exhibitions in 2014 – BIMU in Milan, EuroBLECH in Hannover and JIMTOF in Tokyo. (L-R) Wulf Hoeflich, vice president – Airbus Group Technology Licensing; Marcus Burton, European group managing director for Yamazaki Mazak; and Hiroyuki Yamazaki, deputy European group managing director for Yamazaki Mazak, sign the agreement between Airbus and Mazak to offer a combined machine tool and friction-stir welding solution - image ©Airbus.