David H. Lammlein

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Vanderbilt University

Papers

Total Citations

585

H-Index

About

David H. Lammlein is a leading figure in the field of friction stir welding (FSW), a solid-state joining process that avoids melting materials to produce exceptionally strong welds. His research centers on process automation, control, and real-time fault detection, with a particular focus on robotic FSW. Lammlein’s most influential work, the 2013 paper "Friction stir welding: Process, automation, and control," has amassed over 500 citations, establishing it as a foundational reference for engineers and researchers developing automated FSW systems. He has made significant contributions to in-process quality assurance, notably developing methods for detecting gap faults and tool misalignment during welding. His 2008 paper on gap detection and a companion study on seam tracking using force feedback and neural networks have advanced the reliability of robotic FSW. Additionally, Lammlein explored innovative sensing techniques, such as hydrogen generation for control in submerged FSW. Through his work, he has helped transform FSW from a laboratory curiosity into a robust, automated manufacturing process, directly impacting industries like aerospace and automotive.