Users in the limelight

As part of EuroBlech 2010, a press conference centred on the motto "What matters is the benefit to the user" was held in Hanover on October 26th. User specialists described their experiences of the CMT Advanced, Contec and Virtual Welding innovations launched by Fronius last year.

The focus was on how to make welding processes safer and more efficient, improve their quality and reproducibility, and how to save time, resources and money.

Dr. Gregor Wasle, managing director of Alutech GmbH, a member of the SAG Motion Group, got the ball rolling with Contec. "The contacting system plays an important role in process reliability and competitiveness. This is why we tested Contec and, together with Fronius, optimised it for our applications", explained Dr. Wasle on the motivation behind finding and developing the best welding technologies within the SAG Motion Group. Despite the fact that the service life of Contec exceeds that of conventional contact tubes by a factor of ten, the aim is to increase it even further.

Next up was Werner Karner, head of the Experimental Constructions Fusion Centre at Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co.KG in Graz. Magna is using the SLS body as the basis for the series production of an aluminium "dream car".  Comprehensive tests and experiences led Magna to opt for CMT technology for the welding of these premium passenger cars. With forty manual CMT Pulse and two robot CMT Advanced systems, Magna is the clear technology leader.

The third expert user was Professor Uwe Reisgen, head of the Welding and Joining Institute (ISF) based at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the RWTH University in Aachen. Every year, Professor Reisgen and his staff train between 350 and 400 students in welding techniques. ISF offers practical training exercises with Virtual Welding in small groups of four people. The high level of acceptance among the students helps them learn more effectively. Even students with no previous experience of using a welding torch quickly start to develop a feel for welding. "For them the tasks are fun, there's no fear of messing things up. Their enthusiasm is tangible. Image and reality play an important role in computer-based simulation and modern teaching methods, which is why Virtual Welding is so popular with the students in Aachen. Virtual Welding documents the work results and students' progress. This spurs students on within and between the different groups, leading to higher quality results", is how Professor Reisgen summarises some of the key aspects.