APLAIR Manufacturing Solutions Inc., sister company to AMS, announced the launch of a new system for the inspection of resistance spot weld quality for OEM and collision repair. According to APLAIR, weld inspection has traditionally been a time consuming, destructive and expensive undertaking. Developed in conjunction with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the technology in this new system has also been supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. Portable and nondestruction-based, the system has the benefit of both real-time and post-weld capability. The real-time system analyzes a weld in about one second, saving both cost and time. Real-time application utilizes heat from the weld, while the post-weld process uses induction heating to raise the completed weld to 122°F, then analyzes that heat signature for proper weld formation with the same proprietary software. APLAIR plans to expand their database from mild and high-strength steels to aluminum options and other metals. APLAIR CEO Bob Watts is interested in finding a development partner for a parallel effort in the collision repair aftermarket. Those with inquiries should contact Watts at (423) 781-7395. To find out more about their technology, visit www.ams-laser.com or call (423) 781-7163.
