How voestalpine welds meter by meter to a mirror finish
New longitudinal welding line
Invited visitors to Plant 1 of voestalpine Automotive Components Linz have recently been able to marvel live at the top performance of a brand-new production star. The 33-meter-long and 16-meter-wide Soulas 3700 linear longitudinal welding line welds steel blanks of various thicknesses and grades with the utmost precision.
Precision in perfection
Powerful robotic arms magnetically lift a wide variety of steel blanks—up to dimensions of 3,700 x 2,500 mm—from the stack, trim them as needed, and place them into the laser welding system, which welds them together quickly and precisely. Upon customer request, an integrated oxide layer removal process ensures immediately shiny weld seams without any technically induced discoloration. In addition, the AI-supported quality inspection system ensures that only perfect steel blanks are passed on to premium customers and that the causes of any irregularities are identified with even greater certainty. Afterward, corresponding robotic arms are on hand to skillfully stack the tailor-welded blanks and prepare everything for the next steps. This lightweight automotive construction enables further weight and material savings.
Meeting Customer Needs
The investment in the “New SA14” was made in response to increased customer inquiries regarding the ability to weld longer seams in a single pass. Depending on the product mix, approximately 1.5 million meters of weld seam can now be produced per fiscal year. This exceptional speed is also made possible by the highly dynamic wire feeding system, which rapidly delivers the necessary welding material to the melting point.
The decisive milestone for the decision to invest in the system was the customer order from a German premium automaker. With this order, the technological framework could be established, the system configuration finalized, and the project launched.
Gerhard G., Technical Director
Thinking and Deciding in Cycles
For the new production system, the existing welding system had to be replaced after 24 years of reliable service in three-shift operation. During its dismantling, it was important to check whether parts could be reused in other units. Items that could not be reused were carefully separated and sent to the recycling cycle.
Located next to the SA13 curved welding line, the new Soulas SA14 welding line at Automotive Components (AC) in Linz once again underscores the welding expertise of voestalpine’s Metal Forming Division.The system was specified in November 2023, negotiated in January 2024, and ordered as early as February 2024. Since mid-February 2026, the system has been running stably in three-shift operation. Everything was implemented perfectly within budget and on schedule.
David P., Project Manager
