Welding

Worldwide support in welding and cutting

ESAB is a global supplier of welding and cutting solutions with sales distribution in more than 80 countries, 26 manufacturing plants in 19 countries, more than 6,500 employees and a network of distributors across the world.
Out of strong historical ties with shipbuilding, ESAB developed into a company with a strong presence in practically every industrial area, including the automotive industry. Its product program is as wide as required by the industries they serve, ranging from coated stick electrodes to complex water jet and laser cutting systems.
ESAB's growth and success is very much based on the high level of commitment to customers to assist in their search for ever more efficient welding and cutting technology. Close co-operation and partnership agreements, have resulted in a stream of new developments, better training methods and improved application support for all its customers. This approach is paralleled by a worldwide presence and excellent logistical support, enabling ESAB to supply locally as well as continentally and globally organized industries.

Automotive customers

ESAB is a preferred supplier for subcontractors to the automotive industry, such as Bosal, Tenneco, Faurecia, Benteler, Brink, GKN, John Deere and Magnetto, producing anything from seats to shock absorbers and exhausts. At the local level, ESAB supplies to all major assembly plants, including Renault, Citroën, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen, Vauxhall, Ford, Skoda and Toyota.
They have chosen ESAB not just for technical and quality reasons, but also for the complete aftersales concept, their logistical competence, and welldeveloped e-commerce strategies. ESAB application specialists work closely with customers to improve productivity and process capabilities.

ESAB solutions for the automotive industry

ESAB laser-cutting systems have been widely introduced in the automotive segment for preparing sheet metal offering maximized precision, optimum cut quality and high-cost efficiency. The parts involved can be completely machined in one single operation; they are accurately finished and do not need any reworking. This means a reduced number of working steps, which in turn reduces manufacturing costs. The laser cutting process also reduces pollution at the workplace when compared to other cutting methods, resulting in a reduction in its environmental impact.
Since 1995, ESAB has led the industrial application of the friction stir welding process - developed by TWI in the UK. This highly innovative welding technique joins aluminum without using filler materials, resulting in a joint that matches the mechanical properties of the base material. The first customized systems have been successfully operating within the automotive segment for some time.

MAG-brazing

Another area where ESAB has been innovative is MAG-brazing, using copper wire, shielded with an active gas. This method minimizes spatter when joining very thin galvanized materials.

Cored wire for robot welding

Equally innovative was the development of a specially formulated robot cored wire featuring improved arc stability, easier start and stop characteristics, as well as reduced spatter levels, plus increased productivity. This wire can be used on plate thickness down to 1.0mm.

Solid wires in Marathon Pac™

The most widely used consumables supplied into the automotive segment continue to be solid wires. ESAB's program includes types for steel, copper, stainless and aluminum. They are available in a range of package options, but most popular and efficient are the Marathon and Jumbo Pac, ensuring long periods of uninterrupted production in robotic and other automated welding systems.
More recently ESAB has introduced the 'Endless Pac' concept - whereby successive Marathon Pacs are connected to facilitate continuous welding. Additionally these octagonal drums are easily folded flat for environmentally friendly recycling.
Conscious of the environmental impact of all industrial processes, ESAB has also developed non-copper coated derivatives of the most popular wire grades for steel, generating less welding fumes.

Power sources

ESAB offers all applications and power sources with excellent arc characteristics. They are fully programmable, compatible with all major robotic systems and straightforward to use in manual repair welding.

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