Joining techniques: the hidden intelligence that ensures product integrity
October 3, 2025
Summary
Splicing techniques: are the unsung hero of every industrial product. They are the invisible links that transform a set of separate components into a robust, functional, and reliable system. From the welding that gives structural strength to a frame to the mechanical inserts that enable rapid assembly, choosing the right jointing technique is a critical engineering decision that impacts everything: durability, aesthetics, manufacturing costs, and ease of maintenance. A weak or inadequate joint is not a minor defect, but a potential point of failure that can compromise the entire product.
At MIBA, we do not view joining as a simple operation, but as a fundamental discipline. With more than 45 years of experience and a co-engineering approach, we guide our customers in choosing the optimal solution for each specific application. Our strength lies in integration: by manufacturing the carpentry in-house and managing the assembly, we ensure that every joint is designed and executed to maximize system integrity. This total control allows us to provide modules and equipment whose robustness is not just a feature, but a promise.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Every complex industrial product, be it electromedical equipment or an automation system, is an ecosystem of parts that must work in harmony. What holds this ecosystem together, ensuring its structural stability and functionality over time, are joining techniques. Often hidden from view, they represent the true backbone of the product. Choosing how to join two or more components is never trivial; it is a strategic decision that directly affects the performance, perceived quality, and total cost of ownership (TCO) of the equipment.
A poorly designed joint can lead to vibration, seepage, fatigue failure or assembly difficulties. In contrast, a well-designed joint system creates a product that is monolithic in its performance, easy to assemble and reliable even under the harshest operating conditions. This is why mastery of different joining techniques is a key skill for any top manufacturing partner.
A palette of solutions: choosing the optimal joining technique
There is no "universal joint" that is good for every application. The choice depends on a multitude of factors: the materials to be joined, the mechanical loads to which the joint will be subjected, the aesthetic requirements, the operating environment, and the efficiency required in the assembly process. At MIBA, our experience enables us to navigate this complexity and apply the most suitable solution, drawing on a wide range of technologies.
1. Welding: the permanent bond for maximum strength
La welding creates a continuous metallurgical bond, fusing materials to form a permanent, ultra-high-strength joint. It is the choice of choice for frames, structural supports and components that must withstand high loads. Our expertise includes:
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding: ideal for joints of high aesthetic quality and precision, especially on stainless steel and aluminum. It is the preferred technique in the medical and food industries, where finishes must be flawless and easy to clean.
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding: offers excellent execution speed and great strength, making it perfect for mass production of carbon steel structures.
Robotic Welding: for large batch sizes, automation ensures absolute repeatability, consistent weld bead quality and unbeatable production efficiency by eliminating operator variability.
2. Mechanical Joints: flexibility, speed and intelligent design
These techniques use fasteners to join parts. They offer the great advantage of reversibility (for maintenance or disassembly) and of not inducing thermal stress in materials. In addition to traditional bolting, we specialize in smart solutions that optimize assembly:
Self-Attaching Inserts (PEM): these threaded elements are cold pressed into the sheet metal, becoming an integral part of the component. They eliminate the need for loose or welded nuts, dramatically speeding up assembly time on the customer's final line. It is a classic example of Design for Assembly (DFA) that generates a huge efficiency advantage.
Riveting: offers a permanent and quick fastening solution, ideal for joining thin sheets or different materials where welding is impractical.
Designing the joint, not just executing it: MIBA's consultative approach
Our real strength lies not only in the flawless execution of these techniques, but in our proactive, consultative approach. We don't just receive a drawing; we work with our clients to define the best joining strategy early in the design process.
Thanks to the principles of the Design for Excellence (DFX), our technical team analyzes each project by asking crucial questions, "Is this welding really necessary or can we achieve the same stiffness with a smarter bending design?", "Could the use of self-clamping inserts reduce the customer's assembly time of the 30%?", "What is the optimal trade-off between the strength of a welded joint and the flexibility of a mechanical one for this application?"
This technical dialogue allows us to optimize the product at the root, preventing problems, reducing costs and improving overall reliability. Being direct manufacturers of the carpentry, we have a complete view: we know how a certain joining technique will affect the material behavior and accuracy of the finished component.
From joining to system integrity: our commitment to total quality
Every joint is a potential strength or weakness. Our integrated quality system, ISO 9001 certified, ensures that every joint, whether welded or mechanical, meets rigorous inspection standards. We perform visual, dimensional and, upon request, nondestructive testing (such as liquid penetrant testing) to validate the integrity of each weld.
This obsession with the quality of the individual bond translates into total reliability of the entire system. It is this certainty that allows us to supply assembled modules and subassemblies in "Free Pass" mode. The customer receives a unit whose structural integrity has already been tested and guaranteed, ready to be integrated without further verification.
At MIBA, joining techniques are not a stand-alone operation, but the beating heart of our integrated service. They are how we turn high-quality components into even better performing systems. Relying on us means choosing a partner who doesn't just join metal, but builds the solid foundation on which the success and durability of your product is based. CONTACT US for any information.
