East Granby, Conn. – Joining Technologies, an innovator in laser cladding, electron beam and laser welding applications, is a 2010 winner of Connecticut Quality Improvement Award’s CQIA Innovation Prize for its Infinite Web™, a laser cutting and welding system for splicing iron and nickel-based strip alloys. The company will be honored at an award ceremony at the 23rd Annual Connecticut Quality Improvement Award Conference on Quality and Innovation, to be held at Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, Connecticut on Friday, October 29, 2010.
Infinite Web’s unique all-in-one design incorporates laser welding and cutting with a single head, which allows faster, higher quality splices in thinner material than was previously possible. The first system was placed into production at a leading Connecticut metal strip and wire producer and has resulted in greater than 300 percent efficiency improvement in splicing speed as well as significant quality improvements in spliced joints as compared to the prior welding processes.
Joining Technologies achieved a CQIA platinum level award for the Infinite Web system, the nation’s first state level quality award using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Performance Excellence criteria in a campaign to advance innovative programs that improve quality, performance and marketplace competitiveness. Four platinum, 16 gold and 37 silver awards were awarded to manufacturers, service companies, health care organizations, educational institutions and a state agency.
The program is part of the “Five Steps to the Baldrige Award,” and includes the entry level CQIA Innovation Prize won by Joining Technologies, as well as the midlevel Breakthrough Award and highest-level Leadership Quality Award.