Friction Welding Spindle Alignment Using a Switching Guide Bushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tools face challenges in suppressing misalignment between members during friction welding.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool with two spindles and a guide member that guides one spindle during the pressing process to align members, using a movement controller to control spindle movements and ensure precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If friction welding is performed by a conventional machine tool, then welding can be achieved, but misalignment between the first member and the second member occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the two spindles to guide the first and second members during friction welding. The guide member has a guide hole through which the members pass, ensuring their axes align with the guide hole's axis. This intermediary structure directly addresses the misalignment problem without requiring complex control systems or modifications to the spindles themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is positioned and configured before the friction welding process begins, establishing the alignment path in advance. The first and second members are guided through the guide hole during the welding process, ensuring proper alignment is maintained from the start of pressing through the completion of welding, preventing misalignment rather than correcting it afterward.
2Manufacturing precision
If the guide member guides one member throughout the entire pressing process, then alignment is maintained, but the other member cannot be properly guided during pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding function is dynamically assigned to different members at different stages of the pressing process. The movement controller switches which member is guided by the guide member - first guiding one member, then guiding the other member. This dynamic adjustment allows both members to be properly guided at appropriate times, solving the contradiction between maintaining alignment and enabling proper guiding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding action is performed in periodic stages: first the guide member guides one member during the initial pressing phase, then the controller switches to guide the other member during the subsequent pressing phase. This periodic switching of guiding targets ensures both members receive appropriate guidance without conflict, maintaining alignment precision throughout the entire welding process.
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
The machine tool effectively suppresses misalignment between members, allowing for accurate friction welding and reducing the need for additional burr removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first member and a second member are brought into contact with each other while being relatively rotated to generate frictional heat
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine tool (1) includes a front spindle (11) capable of gripping a first member (W1), a rear spindle (12) capable of gripping a second member (W2), and a guide bushing device (13) arranged between the front spindle (11) and the rear spindle (12), and frictionally welds the first member (W1) gripped by the front spindle (11) and the second member (W2) gripped by the rear spindle (12) with frictional heat generated at respective joint surfaces (CS) of the first member (W1) and the second member (W2) by relatively rotating the first member (W1) and the second member (W2) and bringing them into contact. The guide bushing device (13) is configured to guide the outer peripheral surface (OS1) of the first member (W1) without guiding the outer peripheral surface (OS2) of the second member (W2) when the first member (W1) and the second member (W2) that are relatively rotated start to contact each other, and to guide the outer peripheral surface (OS2) of the second member (W2) when the first member (W1) and the second member (W2) are pressed against each other.