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Friction stir welding tool cleaning method and apparatus

  • US 20070284419A1
  • Filed: 06/13/2006
  • Published: 12/13/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for cleaning a friction stir welding tool having a weld process residue material on a surface of the tool, the apparatus comprising:

  • a heating component for heating the friction stir welding tool to an effective temperature, such that the weld process residue material is heated and transformed from a solid process residue material to a plasticized process residue material;

    a temperature indicator component for indicating the effective temperature of the friction stir welding tool;

    a tool cleaner component adapted for removing the plasticized process residue material from the friction stir welding tool, wherein when the effective temperature is reached, the tool cleaner contacts and removes the plasticized process residue material from the tool; and

    ,a controller component for distributing power to the heating component, to the temperature indicator component, and to the tool cleaner component.

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