
JOINING IN CAR BODY ENGINEERING CONFERENCE NORTH AMERICA
EVOLVE, INNOVATE, REPEAT
From its current global shift towards vehicle electrification to its increasingly ambitious digitalization and sustainability goals, the automotive industry keeps evolving. And joining technologies are the glue that holds everything together – often quite literally. The rising number of cast parts, the growing variety of battery housings, they all require new joining solutions. But not only are the applications for joining technologies increasing – they often play an essential role in the success of each of these developments.
About the conference
In 2024 , the Automotive Circle again brought together its leading network of international engineering experts in Rochester, Michigan, USA to share and discuss their latest technical progress reports and application-oriented innovations concerning all relevant joining technologies for series production in the body shop which are relevant to the North American market.
In cooperation with:
#ACJoiningUS
Insightful Technical Presentations
Our line up of industry experts shared their knowledge and vision, shedding light on the latest advancements and emerging trends.
Outstanding Networking Opportunities
Automotive engineers, industry pioneers, and decision-makers from leading automotive companies and suppliers worldwide connected.
Accompanying Exhibition
Cutting-edge products and services that are relevant for car body engineering were accessible
Meet the Speakers
Access to renowned speakers and thought leaders was given and unique opportunity were taken to personally engage with them.
Conference Program
9:00 AM | Welcome | Dr. Sibylle Freitag, Automotive Circle, DE |
Innovative welding solutions |
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9:30 AM | Recent advances in multi-material ultra sonic welding | Eric Boettcher, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, US; Jian Chen, Zhili Feng, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, US |
10:00 AM | Enhancements and process optimization for drawn arc stud welding | Dr. Christian Reis, Maximilian Braun, Stanley Engineered Fastening, DE |
10:30 AM |
Coffee Break |
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Joining the electric revolution |
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11:00 AM | Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in combination with various welding tasks | Richard Steinbrecht, Lessmüller Lasertechnik GmbH, DE |
11:30 AM | Achieving cost and weight savings for battery structures through laser welding without filler | Sebastian Moser, Matthias Werner, Precitec, US |
12:00 PM | Leak tight resistance spot welding of steel battery trays | Maurice Kohls, Johannes Kaptain, Ford Motor Company, DE |
12:30 PM |
Lunch Break |
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1:30 PM | Switchable multifunctional thermal management materials | Dr. P. Takunda Chazovachii, PPG Industries, US |
Pre-processes |
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2:00 PM | Seamless inspection of surface cleanliness using highspeed laser scanners | Dr. Alexander Blaettermann, Fraunhofer IPM, DE |
2:30 PM | Future trends in dispensing technology to increase sustainability | Sebastian Gries, Jim Tochet, Dürr Systems, DE/US |
3:00 PM |
Coffee Break |
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Adhesive bonding |
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3:30 PM | Rheology of body shop adhesives in dispensing | Dr. Nick Kamar, Ford Motor Company, US |
4:00 PM | New advanced curing structural adhesives enable significant energy savings in body shop for electric vehicles and legacy ICE vehicles | Dr. Yusheng Chen, DuPont, US |
4:30 PM | Adhesive bonding works – even with few joining points | Peter Eckley, BMW Manufacturing, US |
5:00 PM |
Meet the speakers & get together |
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6:00 PM |
Networking dinner |
Multi material and multi part joining |
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8:30 AM | Resistance spot riveting of Thick Castings for Next Gen Body Structures |
Donald Spinella, Howmet Fastening Systems, US |
9:00 AM | Validation & application of a new multi-material joining solution | Michele Tedesco, Stellantis, IT; Régis Alain, Gaming Engineering, FR |
9:30 AM | Laser welding process innovation for hot stamped multi part integration concepts | Nachiket Gokhale, ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks Americas, US |
OEM reports |
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10:00 AM | Laser joining of zinc-coated steels with hermetic seal quality | Junjie Ma, General Motors Company, US |
10:30 AM |
Coffee Break |
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11:00 AM | Efficient manufacturing of aluminum doors | Dr. Thomas Franz, Ewgeni Agibalow, Volkswagen AG, DE |
11:30 AM | AHSS/UHSS alternative joining fatigue performance | Bryan Macek, Stellantis, US |
12:00 PM | Joining technologies in EX90 | Dr. Stephanie Robertson, Volvo Cars, SE |
12:30 PM |
Lunch Break |
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Mechanical Joining |
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1:30 PM | Versatile mechanical joining processes | Prof. Marion Merklein, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, DE |
2:00 PM | Innovations in single joint testing and sealing performance of flow drill fasteners | Dr. Brandt Ruszkiewicz, Semblex, US |
2:30 PM | Closing remarks | OEM Advisory Board |
2:45 PM | Farewell | Dr. Sibylle Freitag, Automotive Circle, DE |
3:00 PM | End of conference |
Program is subject to change: Status February 5, 2024
Participants
International OEM Advisory board
The Automotive Circle and OEM Advisory Board of the Joining in Car Body Engineering North America, consisting of experts from the following brands and companies:
Christian Borowetz
Volkswagen AG
Dr. Blair Carlson
General Motors Company
Anthony Leanza
Honda Development and Manufacturing of America
Bryan Macek
Stellantis, US
Todd Mueller
Ford Motor Company
Dr. Stephanie M. Robertson
Volvo Car Corporation
Holger Schubert
Mercedes-Benz
Carsten Sieverling
BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
WeiJie Zhang
Rivian, US