When selecting plastic for medical devices, engineers are faced with more options-and more questions-than ever.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of ASSEMBLY magazine. Since the publication debuted in the late 1950s, we have provided in-depth coverage of key trends, issues and challenges affecting the wide world of welding. Here's a look at how welding technology has changed over the last 5 decades.

Smaller, more precise components require a higher degree of accuracy.

The cold-welding process can join dissimilar materials, such as aluminum to steel, within a short cycle time.

Automated welding can provide large gains in productivity and profitability - in the right applications.

Stud welding is a process by which a metal stud is joined to a metal workpiece by heating both parts with an arc of electricity. Compared with other welding and fastening processes, stud welding offers faster assembly with fewer steps. This article explains how this process can be used for profitable and reliable assembly.