The article presents a number of recent solutions developed at the E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute including technologies and equipment for welding performed using highly-concentrated power sources such as plasma, laser and the electron beam. The above-named technologies were developed in order to weld pipes, thick titanium, aluminium–lithium alloys and high-strength steels. The solutions presented in the article also include vapour-phase technologies used in the production of nanostructured materials enabling the joining of composite materials and intermetallics. The article also discusses newly developed technologies and equipment used in underwater welding and cutting as well as a new electron beam tool for welding in outer space. In addition, the article suggests the application of postweld treatment based on high-density electric impulses and high-frequency mechanical peening in order to increase the service life and reliability of welds. In addition, the article presents the use of digital equipment based on high-sensitive solid-body converters used in non-destructive tests of welded joints as well as the application of industrial robots provided with a technical vision system in relation to products characterised by complex geometry. The article also presents a new method enabling the growing of single crystals of refractory metals and new equipment enabling the welding of live tissues.

doi: 10.17729/ebis.2019.1/1