While scholars can trace welding back to prehistoric times, when bits of metal were lap-jointed and pressure welded together and when blacksmiths learned to forge weld iron, new technological developments show how comparatively youthful and dynamic it really is.

Over the past 200 years, welding became the go-to process when the metal components of the industrial revolution had to be cut up and/ or repaired and it gained new importance in producing materil for two world wars, and for building infrastructure projects in the latter half of the 20th century.

Now, as it matures, welding is relying on increasing technological developments that are pushing its work envelope, and making it more essential for many industries.

Maybe you have seen the Mercedes-Benz television ad that talks about the new Mercedes that has more than 5,000 welds. That fact is being used to explain the technology that goes into producing that luxury car.

In shipbuilding, bridge building, and construction welding is an indispensable process because it produces the solid structures that are required to transport goods and vehicles, and to support buildings.

That’s just a short a build-up for two processes that we highlight in this issue, hybrid laser welding and friction stir welding that can be applied to ferrous metal alloys.

At a media introduction in April, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products presented its innovative equipment for those processes and ESAB executives talked about the great potential they see for them. You can find the details on the processes.

And, it was impressive to see the new processes in action. If only for these two developments, that company has established itself as a noteworthy innovator and as a formidable competitor.

There is no reason to doubt that the processes won’t deliver all of the benefits the ESAB executives talked about but, even if they produce only half of the potential benefits that the company identified, these processes are going to have a significant impact on the welding industry and will help it to remain energetic.

The, the American Welding Society (AWS) has issued a last call for its search for the heroes of welding.

The entry deadline in the 6th Annual Image of Welding Awards program has been extended to July 31, 2008. This is the industry’s top awards to salute the year’s most outstanding public initiatives and programs that promote the image of welding.

The Awards are issued in seven categories. All individuals, organizations and groups may be nominated for multiple categories. Self nominations are also welcome. Winners will be honored at the Image of Welding Awards Ceremony to be held during the FABTECH International and AWS Welding Show on October 6-8, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Image of Welding Awards Program recognizes outstanding achievement in the following categories:

• Individual (you or other individual)
• Section (AWS local chapter)
• Large Business (200 or more employees)
• Small Business (less than 200 employees)
• Distributor (welding products)
• Educator (Welding teacher at an institution, facility, etc...)
• Educational Facility (Any organization that conducts welding education or training).

Submit a nomination online at http://awssection.org/index.php/forms/iow, or send a written explanation of the nominee’s qualifications and contact information, along with your name, phone number, email and mailing address, to image@aws.org or by postal mail to AWS Image of Welding Awards, 550 NW LeJeune Road, Miami, Florida, 33126. For questions and other requests, please call AWS toll-free at 800-443-9353.

Bruce Vernyi, Editor-in-Chief
E-mail: bvernyi@penton.com