MTI delivers linear friction welding machine for full-size development parts to Detroit LIFT facility

Manufacturing Technology Inc. (MTI), South Bend, Ind., has shipped what it says is North America’s first linear friction welding machine capable of full-sized part development to the LIFT – Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow facility in Detroit. The machine will be used for lightweighting research in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Measuring 22 by 14 ft. and weighing 150,000 lbs., the LF35-75 has the largest tooling envelope of any linear friction welding machine in the world, allowing for the production of large full-scale parts.

MTI and LIFT will have shared capacity of the machine. MTI will run and maintain the machine at the LIFT facility, complete customer-directed work on the machine, and support any programs that LIFT has moving forward.