The listing of sites here does not imply endorsement by TWI, or that they are the best sources of information. The list is updated and links are checked periodically.

Manufacturing industry

Manufacturing - General

  • Best Manufacturing Practices Center of Excellence is a technology transfer programme for American industry which aims to identify best practice in manufacturing and share information about it. Includes many surveys that cover welding applications. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • Recent Advances in Manufacturing (RAM) is a database of bibliographic information for manufacturing and related areas which covers items in over 500 journals and also includes books, videos and conference proceedings. Records from 1990 onwards can be searched. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • Manufacturing Systems Integration Division of the USA National Institute of Standards and Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, give information on their activities, projects and publications. Concentrates on computer integrated manufacturing, virtual manufacturing, concurrent engineering etc. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • Waterjet web reference gives extensive information on the processes of abrasive jet and water jet cutting and machining and their applications. Includes video & picture archive, job shop directory, Buyers Guide, discussion group and tips for engineers. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • Foreign Trade Exchange provides contact details for manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, machinery and other industrial supplies. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • Manufacturing.net provides information and services for manufacturing professionals including industry-specific news. It draws on the content of numerous business journals. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences is a US collaborative research and development consortium devoted to manufacturing processes and practice. The homepage URL requires Flash and Java but there is also a Flash-free, low-bandwidth version of the site. [last looked at on 17 April 2008]

  • EC Enterprise and Industry Industry Sectors pages contain background information on markets and relevant EU publications on a wide range of industry sectors including aerospace, automotive, construction, defence, electrical equipment, maritime industries, medical devices, pressure equipment, rail, space and metals. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

  • Aerotech Motion Control Systems manufactures motion controllers, stages, drives, and positioning systems. The website includes an engineering reference and glossary section. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

  • Knowledge Transfer Networks - UK Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) business support currently covers the following areas: Aerospace and Defence, BioprocessUK, Bioscience for Business, Chemistry Innovation, Cyber Security, Electronics, Environment, Food Processing, Grid Computing Now!, Health Technologies, Industrial Mathematics, Integrated Products Manufacturing, Intelligent Transport Systems, Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies, Materials, Nanotechnology, Modern Built Environment, Photonics, Resource Efficiency, UK Displays & Lighting and Sensors and Instrumentation. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • Lasers

  • Association of Industrial Laser Users gives information on suppliers of products and services, a database of applications, and news from member companies. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • Laser Institute of America is an international society promoting laser applications and safety. The website includes publications, events and training. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • European Laser Institute promotes laser research and innovation in Europe. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • Eurolaser is a forum for the European laser industry. In German. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing magazine gives the current issue, an archive of articles from recent issues and information for subscribers. Also includes event listing, company and products indexes. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • Laser Focus World magazine offers the latest issue plus extra material not included in the printed version, product guide and news of events. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • Lasers and Laser Applications at Liverpool describes the activities at the Lairdside Laser Engineering Centre and the University of Liverpool, and also presents information on lasers and their uses, a directory of companies in the field, industry news, events list and a forum. [last looked at on 17 December 2008]

  • Surface finishing

  • finishing.com, 'the home page of the finishing industry', offers directories of jobshops, suppliers of products & services, consultants & consulting engineers and finishing-specific software. The technical library includes articles on a wide range of topics. Site includes news, links to other websites, calendar of events and a listing of organisations and societies serving the plating and metal finishing industry. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

  • Surface Finishing Abstracts offers an online database of around 130,000 abstracts on electroplating, electroless plating, pickling, etching, conversion coatings, printed circuit board manufacture, painting, hot-dip galvanising, powder coating as well as the analysis and testing of surfaces or solutions used in surface finishing. Subscription or one-off payment is needed to obtain bibliographic details, although titles and abstracts can be seen free of charge. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

Organisations

  • Society of Manufacturing Engineers offers information on membership, certification, publications, expositions, conferences, courses and technical communities. They offer an online search of their database of abstracts of books, journals ( Manufacturing Engineering magazine, Journal of Manufacturing Systems and Journal of Manufacturing Processes) and technical papers (with online ordering of their publications). The database also includes information on video tapes, courses, conferences, expositions and membership information. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

  • SteelConstruction.org is the website of The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd. It describes their activities and publications. There is a restricted-access area for members. Articles and technical documents are available. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

  • The Robotics Institute is hosted by Carnegie Mellon University and provides a broad-based site with information on all aspects of robotics and automation. It gives lists of projects, departments and laboratories and has a comprehensive publications list from 1980 onwards. The list contains many documents which can be downloaded. It also contains an employment and contacts section. [last looked at on 8 May 2008]

  • The Surface Engineering Association combines the MFA (Metal Finishing Association) and the BSTSA (British Surface Treatment Suppliers Association). [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • TechExpo is an online exhibition of technology and engineering. It offers directories of products, services and trade associations, company news releases and newsletters, events listing (conferences, courses, seminars) and a list of relevant magazines. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • Abrasive Engineering Society offers a directory to the US abrasives industry, a list of related technical organisations and their publications, a calendar of educational opportunities related to abrasives, list of textbooks in print, glossary, list of technical papers and other publications related to grinding. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • UKAEA Fusion aims to provide assistance to all elements of the fusion industry. It provides a newsletter and business analysis with opportunities for contacts and tenders. It also offers a consultancy service and access to UKAEA expertise. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • TA-Net is a UK network of co-operating technology centres offering support for the introduction of new engineering and manufacturing technologies [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

Aerospace

  • Aerade is a portal to key aerospace and defence information sources including quality-assessed Internet sites and industry news. Covers aeronautics, aerodynamics, aircraft design, manufacture and maintenance, avionics and more. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Hunt Library offers listings of web links on aerospace and aviation. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • Aerospace Online offers a database of products and suppliers, market research reports, industry news, and discussion forum. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • defense-aerospace.com offers industry news, official reports and press releases. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

Automotive

  • MIRA The Motor Industry Research Association, offer information on its engineering capabilities and research activities. The information databases are for registered users only. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • AISI Steelworks Automotive from the American Iron and Steel Institute Automotive Applications Committee, gives information about US steelmakers, fact sheets, images, news and downloadable publications (Adobe Acrobat or text). [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • The World Auto Steel from the International Iron and Steel Institute covers the UltraLight Steel Auto Body (ULSAB), Ultralight Steel Auto Closures (ULSAC), Ultralight Steel Auto Suspensions (ULSAS) and ULSAB-AVC Advanced Vehicle Concepts programs. Offers many images and documents on manufacturing issues including guidelines on forming and joining (many as PDF files). [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • SAE International, The Society of Automotive Engineers, provide information about membership, publications, events and training. The area of interest includes aerospace. Discussion fora are for members only. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • Auto Industry comes from the UK DTI Automotive Unit. Offers information for the automotive industry covering environment, education, government and technology. Includes industry news, library, events listing, industry statistics, company database and details of educational institutions associated with the UK automotive industry.
    See also the DTI's automotive sector page. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders provides services and support for the UK automotive industry. Offers industry news, statistics, directory, calendar and publications. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • The Automotive Industry Action Group is an industry-wide organisation where members cooperate in developing and promoting solutions to benefit the automotive industry, in particular looking at business processes throughout the supply chain, new technologies and standards. [last looked at on 22 May 2008]

  • The Welsh Automotive Forum Forum provides support for all Welsh companies in the automotive supply chain. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • ae-plus.com is run by the Automotive Engineer magazine and presents information relevant to the sector on technology, business and news. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • Automotives Global provides information on projects and events and a directory of companies classified by products and services. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • RBA Industry Sectors - Automotive lists links to a number of websites offering industry data and includes a news feed. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • EUCAR - The European Council for Automotive R & D fosters strategic cooperation in research and technological development activities amongst Europe's motor vehicle manufacturers. The website describes their activities. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, represents the 13 major European car, truck and bus manufacturers in the EU. The website offers news, overviews and statistics. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • Foresight Vehicle is a UK knowledge transfer network for the automotive industry, offering news and supporting research and technology in the EU. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • Motorsport Industry Association provides news, publications and information on events and projects. Members can also access market and technology transfer information. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • AUTO21 is a Canadian research initiative to promote and develop the automotive sector in Canada. Research activities, news and events are covered. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

Electronics, sensors and microjoining

  • The Electronics Manufacturing Guide from Circuit World Online Services, covers electronics manufacturing, assembly and design. It is supported by member companies who are listed as printed circuit manufacturers, suppliers of products and services, consultants, contract assemblers, designers etc. Uses Frames. Looks out of date. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • The SMART Group is a European trade association for the advancement of surface mount and related technologies who offer industry news headines, events listings and links to other websites related to electronics manufacturing as well as information on their own activities. Includes an area for members. Registered users may download technical articles. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • SMTnet provides a link between providers and users of the products, services, and information related to electronics manufacturing. Includes industry directory, discussion forums, technical articles and events list. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • The EPPIC Faraday Partnership consolidates the packaging and interconnection capabilities of the electronics and photonics sector, providing a UK nucleus for innovation and technology exploitation. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • IPC, Association Connecting Electronics Industries, is a membership organisation which serves OEMs, board manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services companies and their suppliers. The website includes information on legislative, regulatory and environmental issues, standards, events, industry statistics, training and certification. [last looked at on 19 June 2008]

  • International Electrotechnical Commission produces international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • The Electrical and Electronics Engineering Virtual Library links to academia, research institutes, information resources, journals, products, services and standards. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Microscan is a collaboration between EU companies and research organisations, including TWI Ltd, with a view to producing a powerful tool for the total quality control of PCB assemblies. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Sensors is a portal covering sensor technology and applications. Industry-specific sections include process automation, automotive, aerospace, military, medical devices and engineering. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • Sensorland.com includes links to suppliers and publications, product news, events and technical information. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Sensors journal offers full papers as PDF files. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

Maintenance

  • Plant Maintenance Resource Center is an extensive site with links to companies, consultants, associations, publications and institutions concerned with maintenance. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • MT-Online is associated with the paper publication Maintenance Technology and covers plant maintenance and reliability, and asset management. Presents selected articles from the print publication, supplier listings and events calendar. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Business Industrial Network provides free information to industrial maintenance and engineering professionals in manufacturing industry. Partially fails on Netscape 4 and 6. Uses javascript. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Reliabilityweb.com offers resources on maintenance and reliability strategies, techniques and technologies. Includes newsletter, technical articles, forum, events listing, and directory of vendors and service providers. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Maintenance World offers articles, a forum, events listing, a directory of companies, products and services, and a links page. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Asset Management & Maintenance Journal is available in print or electronic format. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

Offshore

  • Offshore Technology calls itself 'the website for the offshore oil and gas industry'. It offers industry news, an index to relevant company information, a contractors and suppliers guide, information of current projects and developments, exhibitions and conference listing, job market and an index to industry associations and organisations. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • The Offshore Engineering Information Service gives information about publications and meetings dealing with oil and gas exploration and production; offshore health, safety and environmental protection; resources of the seabed and renewable energy; and marine technology. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • ISOPE Online , The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers, offers information on the organisation, membership, conferences and publications. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • UKOOA (UK Offshore Operators Association) site for the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, includes information on the association; a variety of industry issues, such as economics, energy policy, the environment and health and safety; and media and events areas. There is also a searchable publications list, and a list of links. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

Oil and gas industry

  • GTI from Gas Technology Institute offers information about the organisation and activities, industry news, and technical and economic information. Parts of the site are for subscribers only. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • OGJ Online contains information news and articles from the Oil & Gas Journal and additional material; registration required for access to some areas. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Oil & Gas International offers extensive worldwide news and information. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • American Petroleum Institute API's site carries information on the oil and natural gas industry sector, policy issues, environment, health and safety, industry statistics, certification, publications, meetings, training and API standards. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • dti: Oil and Gas Directorate offer a variety of information on the oil and gas sector. Full text of legislation, codes of practice and guidance notes and petroleum operations notices are available, along with environmental regulations of all types, upstream and downstream information, and a wide variety of information for all aspects of the industry. Includes the UK Oil Portal. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Energy Information Administration is a US Department of Energy site which gives a variety of information on the oil and gas industry, and other forms of energy production. Recent statistics, annual and monthly, are easily accessible for most forms of energy production both for the USA and Internationally. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

Power generation

  • Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is concerned with power generation and associated environmental issues. The website describes its research activities. Technical reports may be downloaded by qualified users. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Power Engineering This website, associated with a Canadian magazine, provides the latest news for the power generation sector, events listing, archive of magazine articles, and a directory of relevant products and services. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry The website of this Japanese research organisation provides information on their research activities and publications and provides newsletters for download. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • Engineering Communities - IET - Power is provided by The Institution of Engineering and Technology. Offers industry news and an online library of articles in Knowledgebase from IEE publications (coverage includes alternative energy, energy conversion and storage, generating stations and plant and utilisation), and information about the organisation and its activities. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • BERR Energy Offers UK government reports and papers on energy topics, and information on regulation, legislation, sources, reliability and markets. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • World Nuclear Association describes its activities and includes information on all aspects of nuclear energy. [last looked at on 3 July 2008]

  • If not wind, then what?, from the American Wind Energy Association, provides resources and information to promote development of wind energy to registered users. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

Tubes and pipes

  • Tubenet offers information on machinery and suppliers, new products, technical articles on pipe manufacture and use (including welding), and exhibitions. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • Plastic Pipes presents information on the economic and environmental benefits of plastic pipes. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

Construction

  • Constructing Excellence is a cooperative venture between UK government and industry to promote new products and best practice. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • The Construction Industry Computing Association gives information about membership, case studies and events. Some parts of the site are available to members only. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • The Concrete Society is a worldwide membership organisation providing technical advice, technical development, professional & business networking, professional development and information services to the construction industry. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • The Steel Construction Institute is a membership organisation that works to develop and promote the effective use of steel in construction. The website includes information about its technical advice services, projects, publications and training plus news of the institute. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • Construction Weblinks is a US site that brings together links to sites on relevant organisations, standards and other legal issues, safety, events and industry news stories. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

Metalworking

  • Metalworking.com is aimed at hobbyists and small businesses. It carries lists of links to sites including metalworking hobby interests, publications, events and forums. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • Metal Web News is an online newsletter for metalworkers. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

Shipbuilding

  • The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology website is a membership based site for marine engineering professionals. Information on membership is available. Non-members can gain access to a list of publications and events and can search the library catalogue. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • The Royal Institution of Naval Architects is a professional institution. Non-members can access lists of forthcoming events and publications, careers advice and a useful maritime directory giving links to useful organisations. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • American Bureau of Shipping also a regulatory body for the shipbuilding industry.The site has information on the organisation, its classification scheme, which includes the ability to search its list of approved manufacturers and products, regulatory, rules and guides information, news and events. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

  • International Maritime Organisation is the United Nations special agency responsible for improving maritime safety. The site includes information on safety, the marine environment, legal liability, its technical co-operation programme, publications available and a wide range of information resources, such as current awarness bulletins, library acquisition lists and information resources on current topics. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • Lloyd's Register is an independent organisation offering a classification scheme for shipping, though it also offers a service for the energy and rail industries. Information on the Lloyd's register rules and regulations are included. [last looked at on 12 November 2008]

  • Det Norske Veritas a further classifcation authority, provides information on news, events and publications. Details of its ship classification publications are given, and also of the services offered by the organsiation. [last looked at on 10 July 2008]

If these links fail, or you know of one that ought to be included, please inform Sheila Thomas BA MCLIP MWeldI, Principal Information Scientist at TWI (The Welding Institute); sheila.thomas@twi.co.uk.

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