A request for quotation (RFQ) for production quantities of aluminum alloy 6061 T-6 FMRW spot welded structures (thick-thin with a thickness ratio of nearly 9:1 and diamond plate to thin (thickness ratio of 5:1)) has been received from G&W Inc., Fairfield, Ohio for the next many years. Nearly 150 of these structures (3 to 4 feet long by 8 to 10 inches wide by around 4 to 5 inches tall with 30 to 50 FMRW spot welds per structure) had been supplied during the last 9 to 12 months for testing and validation. Receipt of this RFQ appears to indicate good fit/function in addition to all the test results being satisfactory.
The FMRW spot welding is a patented/patent-pending resistance welding technology from Innovative Weld Solutions Ltd., Dayton, Ohio that enhances heat-affected zone hardnesses by nearly 50% and welded structure shear/tensile strengths by 50-100% over conventionally welded aluminum alloy structures. Electrode life is also extraordinarily long for aluminum spot welding. The process is able to spot weld aluminum diamond plates at any random location without regard to the location of the diamond pattern with respect to the spot weld. Outside appearances of the weld are cosmetic and welded structures have passed fatigue tests specified by customers.
