Friction stir welding apparatus and method and processing apparatus and method

• US 6,729,526 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Tomobe, Masaru, Okamoto, Kazutaka, Doi, Masayuki, Hirano, Satoshi, Inagaki, Masahisa, Odakura, Tomio, Okamura, Hisanori
• Primary Examiner(s): EDMONDSON, LYNNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US10/100,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 228/2.1, 228/112.1, 228/114.5, 700/212, 700/147
• US Class Current: 228/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/123 Controlling or monitoring the welding process

Abstract

The invention provides a friction stir welding apparatus and method and a processing apparatus and method, which are not easily affected by deformations of a work being processed. The friction stir welding apparatus inserts a rotating tool into the work and moves the rotating tool relative to the work to join members of the work. The friction stir welding apparatus and method and the processing apparatus and method of the invention, the latter cutting or grinding the work with a rotating cutter or grindstone, comprises controlling a relative distance between the tool, cutter or grindstone and the work under the joining or processing operation or an insertion depth so that the load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the tool, cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range, and a controller therefor.

Claims

1. A friction stir welding apparatus for joining members of a work by inserting a rotating tool rotated by a spindle motor into the work and moving the rotating tool relative to the work, comprising:

revolution speed setting means for setting a revolution speed of the tool;

insertion speed setting means for setting a constant insertion speed at which the tool rotating at a constant revolution speed is inserted into the work;

load factor setting means for setting a load factor of the spindle motor relative to a maximum tool rotation output or an insertion depth setting means for setting an insertion depth into the work;

hold time setting means for setting a hold time during which the tool is held where it is when the load factor or insertion depth reaches the set value;

joining speed setting means for setting a constant joining speed at which the tool is moved in a joining direction to join the members of the work; and

a controller for controlling a relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work or an insertion depth of the tool into the work so that a load factor or electric current of the spindle motor for rotating the tool is within a predetermined range.

2. A friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a laser displacement meter or a contact type displacement meter for detecting the relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work during the joining operation or the insertion depth of the tool into the work, the detected values being reflected on the controller.

3. A friction stir welding method of joining members of a work by inserting a rotating tool into the work and moving the rotating tool relative to the work, comprising the steps of:

inserting the rotating tool into the work at a constant insertion speed;

when a predetermined load factor of a spindle motor relative to a maximum tool rotation output or a predetermined insertion depth of the tool into the work is reached, holding the rotating tool where it is for a predetermined duration;

then moving the rotating tool in a joining direction at a constant joining speed; and

at the same time controlling a relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work during the joining operation or an insertion depth of the tool into the work so that a load factor or electric current of the spindle motor for rotating the tool is within a predetermined range.