Is friction welding the missing link in UK defence manufacturing?
By Rowan Easter-Robinson
The UK government is betting big on defence – and KUKA Systems UK wants to help industry deliver. With 50 years of heritage as a trusted supply chain partner, KUKA is bringing its friction welding expertise to defence manufacturers tackling complex joining challenges that traditional methods simply can’t solve.
Friction welding offers a highly repeatable, lower-energy process that preserves material integrity, reduces defect rates, and unlocks components that were previously impossible to produce. Anthony McAndrew of KUKA Systems UK breaks down how friction welding – from rotary and linear to friction stir – can optimise defence production lines across aerospace, naval, and beyond.
