Hinrichs and Susie Weber. He died after a long struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on 5 June 2012, at the age of 78. Patents U.S. Patent Number: 3,535,489: Electron Beam Welding Apparatus. U.S. Patent Number: 3,038,059: Welding nozzle. U.S. Patent Number 6,619,533: Link arms for use in suspension systems are produced through an extrusion and friction stir welding process. U.S. Patent Number 5,865,362: A method of welding together a motor vehicle structural assembly isavailable. The vehicle structural assembly includes a boxed member including an outboard wall U.S. Patent Number 5,782,401: The invention provides an automated system for welding a first metal part to a second metal part. The system includes a trainable articulated arm. U.S. Patent Number 5,322,208: A method for assembling a motor vehicle frame including a rail having agenerally planar outer surface and upper and lower ends, and a bracket. External links Friction stir welding fuses engineering research and Wisconsin industry References 1936 births 2012 deaths Businesspeople from Wisconsin Marquette University alumni University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering alumni American mechanical engineers American metallurgists Friction stir welding experts 20th-century American businesspeople