EJOT expands EJOweld support for automotive manufacturing

Jake Robinson has joined EJOT UK specifically to provide specialist technical support for the friction weld process EJOweld, pioneered by EJOT’s automotive fastening specialists in Germany and continuously developed over the past decade.

“Audi were the first manufacturer to utilise this unique and highly advanced system, which joins light weight yet extremely strong boron steel to thin sheet alloys, enabling vehicle manufacturers to build lighter and build stronger in the pursuit of carbon-neutral goals,” states EJOT. 

Bringing more than seven years’ automotive industry experience to the role, Robinson’s previous work for multiple OEMs where he specialised in joining will be particularly valuable to EJOT customers, it is pointed out. “From coupon testing in the lab to becoming the lead joining engineer on multiple projects within a major automotive business, Jake is already experienced in working with EJOweld, as well as a variety of joining technologies, including self-piercing riveting (SPR), spot clinching (SCL), resistance spot welding (RSW), auto bolting and adhesive application.”

Unique joining technology

Commenting on his appointment, Robinson says: “EJOweld is a unique joining technology which has clearly demonstrated the important role it can play in helping automotive manufacturers deliver lighter, stronger vehicles. That’s why I am looking forward to working with senior automotive engineers to manage newly installed EJOweld systems here in the UK, as well as exploring potentialities and developing the market across both industrial and volumetric construction sectors.”

The expansion of EJOT UK’s industrial fastening team has been supported by EJOT Group, whose specialist technicians in Germany have worked closely with Robinson to ensure he and his customers can benefit from their wealth of joining expertise. He will work closely alongside Steve Wynn, EJOT UK’s Industrial Fasteners sales manager, who has been instrumental in introducing EJOweld technology to the UK automotive industry and will continue to be the first point of contact for new enquiries.

Wynn adds: “Following the successful introduction of the EJOT EJOweld system into the UK, it is fantastic to welcome Jake as our new EJOweld application engineer. Jake’s initial responsibility will be to continue with the smooth implementation of EJOweld technology into the automotive sector in the UK, before developing opportunities for the EJOweld technology in other industry sectors – of which we believe there are many.”

Full application support package

EJOweld is described as an innovative solution to join different materials and semi-finished parts, and comes with a full application support package. It provides the scope to join multi-material-designs, especially lightweight materials such as aluminium and advanced high-strength steel, with a friction element setting tool, which is suitable for robots.

“Using specially designed EJOT components, a thermomechanical process makes use of energy generated through the rotary function between the joining element and the base plate to create an incredibly strong weld in a four stage assembly process that takes less than a second,” adds EJOT.