Wiltshire-based Pinweld Ltd (
www.pinweld.com), which has created an innovative new precision joining technology for high-value plastic components (including thin thermoplastic sheet and composites), has become an industrial member of The Welding Institute (
www.twi-global.com), a Cambridgeshire-based research and technology organisation with facilities around the UK (and world-wide).
TWI works across all industry sectors and in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management technologies.
With applications in a range of industry sectors — including automotive, aerospace and medical — Pinweld’s patented welding method could revolutionise how plastic com-ponents are designed, manufactured and repaired.
The technology has already undergone tests that have shown high integrity and a reduction in the preparation and finishing required — both before and after welding — as well as advantages in speed, accuracy, versatility and repeatability when compared to traditional welding techniques.
With interest already attracted from the car body repair market, Pinweld intends to work with TWI to accelerate the development of its new welding process and find more applications for it.
The company will explore other areas, including funding and partnership opportunities.