We paste two pieces of paper together with glue, but how do people “stick” steel parts together in the manufacturing industry where glue and tape are apparently too “primitive” to be used?

Hengli Hydraulic Co in Changzhou adopts an innovative method that is called “frication welding”, a method of welding two steel parts together via a spinning gear. The rapid movement of the gear generates a high temperature that is able to melt the metal and realize a seamless weld. This technique saves large amounts of raw materials and makes the product more enduring.

Seamless cylinders produced in Hengli’s factory. [Photo by Miao Jiayu/chinadaily.com.cn]

Hengli is a national leader of hydraulic pressure products, which are widely used in areas such as heavy vehicles, wind power supply and water conservancy projects.

The company attaches great importance to environmental protection and material recycling. There are many classified refuse bins in the factory for the collection of different kinds of residual materials, such as oil and steel. A company spokesman explained that by employing these methods factory cleanliness is maintained and the pollution of groundwater is prevented, as the company is situated quite near to the Taihu Lake.

Classified garbage cans in Hengli’s factory. [Photo by Miao Jiayu/chinadaily.com.cn]

Edited by Zack

Changzhou’s Hengli welds innovation and conservation