Overview

Friction Stir Link, Inc. (FSL) is a welding technology and production supplier offering friction stir welding (FSW), friction stir spot welding, (FSSW), friction stir linear welding, and friction stir processing (FSP) along with the equipment to perform these tasks. Friction Stir Link, Inc. offers the expertise to create unique welding solutions with the world's most advanced equipment and experience.

Our personnel have the expertise to create unique solutions plus the world's most advanced friction stir welding technology. We offer:

• FSW Manufacturing and Production Services
• FSW Prototyping Services
• FSW Process Development and Research and Development Services
• FSW & FSSW Equipment and System Integration Services

Quality Control System and Certifications

Friction Stir Link, Inc. (FSL) has developed a quality control system that is implemented on all production applications. Welding quality is ensured by visual inspection by American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI) and through in-house destructive testing that includes tensile testing, bend testing, and cross-sectioning. FSL develops Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and does Welding Procedure Qualification (PQR) testing and maintains Procedure Qualification records in conformance with ANSI/AWS D1.2-2003 Structural Welding Code - Aluminum. FSL also has FSW process qualification procedures for all machine operators. FSL can also provide non-destructive testing as required.

Friction Stir Link, Inc. is American Bureau of Ships (ABS) and ISO 9001:2008 certified

To be competitive is to be ready to take advantage of change. Friction Stir Link, Inc. offers you the opportunity to reap the benefits of this dynamic technology. Friction stir welding provides quality-enhancing, cost-saving advantages for the following industries; automotive, military, aircraft, marine, railroad, construction, commercial, and off-highway vehicles.


Our History and Milestones
• 2010, Qtr. 1
FSL consolidates facilities in brookfield, WI adding an additional 15,000 sq. ft.

• 2008, Qtr. 4
FSL attains ISO 9001:2008 certification

• 2008, Qtr. 2
FSL adds second panel welding machine and 25,000 sq. ft.

• 2007, Qtr. 4
FSL presented Wisconsin Small Business Innovation
Award.

• 2007, Qtr. 4
John Hinrichs, founder, awarded honorary Welding
Engineering Degree from The Ohio State University.

• 2007, Qtr. 2
FSL installs a 10 ton overhead crane to add capacity to
our facility.

• 2006, Qtr. 4
FSL completes USS Freedom LCS #1 work. FSL friction stir
welds 20 miles of panels.





• 2006, Qtr. 2
The FSL facility expands to 15,000 sq. ft.

• 2006, Qtr. 1
FSL adds machining and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) capability.

• 2005, Qtr. 2
FSL obtains American Bureau of Ships (ABS) certification
for marine panel welding applications

• 2005, Qtr. 1
The FSL facility expands to 10,000 sq. ft.

• 2004, Qtr. 4
FSL designs and fabricates a 48' friction stir welding (FSW)
panel machine.

• 2004, Qtr. 1
FSL implements first production robotic FSW application.

• 2003, Qtr. 3
FSL developed robotic friction stir welding process
for 1" thick Weld AA6061.

• 2003, Qtr. 1
FSL team develops 3D robot friction stir welding (FSW), friction
stir spot welding (FSSW), and friction stir processing (FSP).

• 2002, Qtr. 4
FSL develops production capable robotic friction stir
welding system 

• 2001, Apr. 19th
Friction Stir Link, Inc. (FSL) is founded.