Over five decades ago, EBTEC Corporation pioneered the development of non-contact, high energy beam technologies with the Apollo Space Program. Today, our services have expanded to address customers’ challenges in the Power Generation, Medical, Aerospace, Defense, and the Industrial market segments. Innovative research and customer-focused solutions have been central to our commitment of further developing the science of high energy beam welding, machining, and contract manufacturing, including the use of Electron Beam Welding, Laser Welding, Laser Cutting, Laser Drilling, EDM, Vacuum Heat Treating, and Abrasive Waterjet Cutting.
EBTEC was founded in 1963 when two engineers, fresh out of school, recognized the potential of a brand-new technology called Electron Beam Welding. They started out by educating the engineering community about EB Welding’s possible applications, especially in the expanding space program.
By creating prototypes and sample welds with new space-age alloys and dissimilar metals, they convinced engineers working on the Apollo project that EB welding could meet many of the new demands that space travel would place on engineered products. Soon, this technology became an important part of the Apollo Program’s goal of landing a Man on the moon.
From there EBTEC grew, and the company looked ahead for new applications of EB technology, as well as for the new laser technologies they had started to develop. As technology advanced and component fabrication required more precision, EBTEC found its services in increasing demand.
By 1983, the production of aircraft, spacecraft, and missile systems had grown significantly, due in large part to the new applications high energy beam technology allowed for. During this time, EBTEC provided a wide range of services for most major contractors, including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Hamilton Standard, and General Dynamics.
Currently, EBTEC Corporation continues with its growth and expansion strategy. Our technologies have helped in the development of advanced medical devices, more efficient power plants, and alternative power sources for marine, commercial, and defense vehicles. We have expanded our facility to increase the manufacturing opportunities for our valued customers. EBTEC has also introduced another technology to its array of high energy beam and conventional machining processes—Surfi-Sculpt™ (a patented process of TWI). With greater emphasis on turnaround times, our 35,000-square-foot Agawam facility and 16,000-square-foot Westfield facility are fully equipped to handle the entire contract manufacturing process from design to shipment, including development pieces, low- to high-volume production, and complete product manufacturing.
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These early days were spent creating prototypes and samples to teach customers how the process worked. Sample welds in new space-age alloys and dissimilar metals helped convince the engineers working on the Apollo project that EB Welding could meet many of the demands space travel would place on engineered products.
EBTEC’s EB Welding allowed for advantages such as weight savings, structural integrity, strength, and reliability. It also permitted the use of materials that could not be welded conventionally. It took some time, but soon EB Welding became an important part of the Apollo Program’s goal of landing a Man on the moon.
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During the 1970s, EBTEC also started developing laser technology, another high energy beam source. Lasers offered advantages in welding similar to EB, along with unique capabilities in cutting and drilling.
For example, the low heat input of Laser Welding allowed for the encasement of highly sensitive micro-electrics. As electronics became even smaller and heat sensitivity became more critical, EBTEC found its services in increasing demand.
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EBTEC provided a wide range of services for most major contractors during this time, including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, Hamilton Standard (now UTAS), and General Dynamics.
Additionally, while EB Welding continued to be central to EBTEC’s business, laser systems came into their own as a machining tool, drilling and cutting both metals and nonmetals, especially materials where direct-contact machining was ineffective or impossible.
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Power plant efficiencies have risen as a result of some of our engineering, technical processes, and expertise. Aircraft, which are flying at twice the speed of sound and taking off vertically, are utilizing our laser and electron beam subcontract services. Marine and commercial vehicles are running on alternate power and at greater efficiencies as a result of our manufacturing involvement. The commercial trucking industry is experiencing a decline in scheduled maintenance as a result of our advanced welding processes.
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Additionally, EBTEC has invested in CNC milling machines to assist our Aerospace, Medical, and Semiconductor customers with some of their exacting machining needs. We have put in line a complete medical welding cell with seven lasers to support the needs of our expanding and critical medical customers.
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In addition our Power Generation capabilities are increasingly capable of handling larger, more complex Diaphragms, Nozzle Rings, etc… We provide beginning to end fabrication services to many of the leading Power Generation customers.
Today, EBTEC Corporation continues with its growth and expansion strategy. With our full array of high energy beam processes, including Electron Beam Welding, Laser Welding, Laser Cutting and Laser Drilling, along with some EDM, Vacuum Heat Treating, and Abrasive Waterjet Cutting, as well as our conventional machining processes, EBTEC is fully equipped to handle your entire fabrication process, from design to shipment.
EBTEC Corporation is committed to continuing our tradition of serving our most important assets—our customers. From high energy beam service subcontracting to full-service manufacturing, EBTEC will find solutions for your fabrication challenges.