Friction Stir Welding Head for Multi-Directional Joint Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction stir welding apparatuses require significant time and labor to adjust workpieces when joining along joint lines extending in multiple directions, as they can only move in the direction of the feed rollers, increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A friction stir welding apparatus with a rotary tool and a roller on a retaining arm, allowing the arm to move in arbitrary directions, enabling the tool to follow joint lines in any direction without needing to adjust the workpieces' orientation on the table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the receiving table is fed by feed rollers of the work table, then the receiving table is capable of moving only in the feeding direction of the feed rollers, but it requires much time and labor to change the direction of workpieces whenever the direction of the joint line changes
Solution Approach 1:
The roller on the retaining arm is designed to be rotatable, allowing the retaining arm to dynamically adjust its orientation and move in arbitrary directions. This dynamic capability enables the welding apparatus to follow joint lines in any direction without requiring workpiece reorientation, thereby reducing time and labor losses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the receiving table is fed by feed rollers of the work table, then the receiving table is capable of moving only in the feeding direction of the feed rollers, but the apparatus cannot readily weld workpieces along joint lines extending in two or more directions
Solution Approach 1:
The roller on the retaining arm is designed to be rotatable, allowing the retaining arm to dynamically adjust its orientation and move in arbitrary directions. This dynamic capability enables the welding apparatus to follow joint lines in any direction without requiring workpiece reorientation, thereby reducing time and labor losses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a roller is provided on the retaining arm, then the retaining arm can move in arbitrary directions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller on the retaining arm serves multiple functions: it supports the retaining arm, enables movement in arbitrary directions through rotation, and facilitates welding along joint lines in any orientation. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while minimizing the need for additional separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient welding of workpieces along joint lines extending in multiple directions without the need for frequent reorientation, reducing production costs and allowing for continuous welding on uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a roller provided at a position of the retaining arm opposite the rotary tool
Implementation Method 2
rotating and pressing a rotary tool against the joint region and gradually inserting the same into the joint line, so that the material of the workpieces undergoes plastic deformation under the rotating force of the rotary tool
Data Source
AI summary
A friction stir welding apparatus and a method of operating the friction stir welding apparatus are disclosed. The friction stir welding apparatus includes a rotary tool whose extremity constitutes a probe, a retaining arm which supports the rotary tool, and a roller provided at a position of the retaining arm opposite the rotary tool. The method includes adjusting the retaining arm so as to position workpieces between the rotary tool and the roller while adjusting the roller to turn in a direction where a joint line of the workpieces extends, rotating the rotary tool and lowering the probe until the probe presses the workpieces, gradually inserting the probe into the joint line, and moving the probe along the joint line.