Abstract:
Device and method for friction stir welding. Therein, a rotating shoulder generates heat on the interface of two workpieces to be joined together, material being supplied to the connecting region thus obtained. The invention proposes supplying this material under elevated temperature, thus allowing the generated amount of frictional heat to be limited. This allows the extent of the heat affected zone by the heating to remain limited and the quality of the connection to be improved. According to a particular variant of the invention, melted material is placed under pressure and extruded outward, through a hollow pin at the centre of the shoulder, into the melting bath.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a friction welding apparatus, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a modular friction welding apparatus suitable for in-situ reparation of blind holes in pipes. The friction welding apparatus includes a frame assembly, a spindle assembly for holding a friction welding consumable; and a drive assembly for driving a spindle of the spindle assembly. The spindle assembly and the drive assembly are releasably securable to the frame assembly so as to form a modular friction welding apparatus, and the frame assembly is furthermore removably securable to an object to be welded.
Abstract:
A friction stir spot welding device capable of connecting to-be-processed objects using friction heat between the overlapped objects and a rotation tool is provided. In the friction stir spot welding device, a driver for driving the rotation tool is not installed on the same shaft as the rotation tool, and a driving force for moving the rotation tool in a vertical direction is transmitted through a feed screw and feed nuts engaged therewith. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the load of the friction stir spot welding device and accurately control the height of the rotation tool.
Abstract:
An industrial robot (1) comprising a robot arm having a wrist (7) comprising a wrist housing which is movably mounted on the robot arm (6), whereby the wrist housing comprises holding means (9) for pivotable connection in one degree of freedom of a rotary robot tool thereto.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of friction stir welding in which use is made of a rotating friction stir welding tool, said tool having a probe, the method comprises, (a) temperature control of the tool during welding of a workpiece of hard to weld materials by passing a temperature controlling coolant through one or more channels in the tool in order to control the temperature of the probe, thereby removing excessive heat from the tool and from the area of the workpiece being welded, (b) said coolant having a predetermined first temperature upon entering the tool, (c) measuring a second predetermined temperature indicative of the tool probe temperature, and (d) controlling the welding process such that the tool probe is kept essentially at a predetermined tool probe temperature. The invention also relates to a combination for performing the method.
Abstract:
A friction stir welding machine (20) includes a table (26) for supporting parts (28, 30) to be welded and a frame (22) extending over the table. A first drive (65) is supported by a first element (44) of the frame and is operatively connected to a spindle (62) having a tool (94). The first drive moves the tool in a first direction, and the first drive disengages from the spindle after the tool contacts the material. A second drive (78) is supported by a second element (46) of the frame and is operatively connected to the spindle for moving the tool into the parts at a joint (32), thereby initiating friction stir welding process. The friction stir welding machine has a pair of rollers (97) mounted in a roller support (100) with an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the tool. The rollers contact a surface of the material in response to the tool penetrating the material to a desired depth. The roller support is pivotally mounted to the spindle and has a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to both an axis of rotation of the rollers and the axis of rotation of the tool. The work supporting table of the friction stir welding machine has a vacuum hold down system (123) for securing the parts to the table.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and to a device (10) for linking at least two adjoining work pieces (11, 12) by friction welding. Said work pieces (11, 12) include a zone of connection (13) between them that comprises a rotation-driven shaft (14) at whose end (15) facing away from the drive a pin-like projection (16) is provided which at least partially plastifies the zone of connection (13) of the work pieces (11, 12) when rotating and contacting said zone of connection (13). Said pin-like projection (16) can be displaced in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to its axis of rotation (17) so that it traverses the plastifying material (30) of at least one first work piece (11) oriented in direction of the pin-like projection (16) and at least partially extends into a last lower plastifying work piece (12). The pin-like projection (16) is then retracted from the work pieces (11, 12) so that the plastifying material (30) of all work pieces (11, 12) is combined.