Abstract:
Portable friction stir welding apparatus having a crawler which supports a motor for rotating a Friction Stir Welding tool and is coupled to a drive mechanism for urging the crawler along a predefined weld path on work pieces. The crawler can comprise one member or a set of two or three physically separated members each rotatably coupled to the friction stir welding tool. When one member is used to make a weld, it is located on top of the work pieces. When two members are used to make a weld, one member is located on the top of the work pieces and the second member is located on bottom of the work pieces. When three members are used to make two welds simultaneously on an upper work piece and a lower work piece, one member of the crawler is located on the top surface of the upper work piece, a second member is located between the two work pieces, and a third member is located on the bottom surface of the lower work piece. The friction stir welding tool for making the weld is rotatably coupled to each member and restricts axial displacement of the physically separate members relative to each other. The members are adapted to engage rails on the work pieces which provide at least one of guiding, alignment, fixturing, torque compensation for the members as the friction stir welding tool is rotated and the crawler is moved along a joint.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for fastening layers of non-ferrous alloys, like aluminum, magnesium and copper utilizes a steel fastener and a spot welding machine. The fastener and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the fastener to penetrate the aluminum. A weld zone between the fastener and the various layers creates an internal weld. The fastener has a rough shaft that is coated by the molten weld zone and is hard to withdraw on solidification. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastics and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using a fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole and welds to or penetrates a conductive layer. The fastener may have projections that initially reduce contact area with the stack.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a low temperature joining method that is compatible with multiple materials and results in a bond between joined structures without reducing the mechanical properties of the joined structures base materials. The method of the present invention includes the steps of contacting a first structure to a second structure; and directing particles (10) of a metallic bonding material towards an interface (17) between the first structure (15) and second structure (20) at a velocity to cause the particles of the metallic bonding material form a molecular fusion between the first structure and second structure.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a low temperature joining method that is compatible with multiple materials and results in a bond between joined structures without reducing the mechanical properties of the joined structures base materials. The method of the present invention includes the steps of contacting a first structure to a second structure; and directing particles (10) of a metallic bonding material towards an interface (17) between the first structure (15) and second structure (20) at a velocity to cause the particles of the metallic bonding material form a molecular fusion between the first structure and second structure.
Abstract:
Portable friction stir welding apparatus having a crawler (200) which supports a motor (308) for rotating a Friction Stir Welding tool (213) and is coupled to a drive mechanism for urging the crawler along a predefined weld path on work pieces. The crawler can comprise one member (201) or a set of two or three physically separated members (201, 202, 203) each rotatably coupled to the friction stir welding tool. When one member is used to make a weld, it is located on top of the work pieces. When two members are used to make a weld, one member is located on the top of the work pieces and the second member is located on bottom of the work pieces. When three members are used to make two welds simultaneously on an upper work piece and a lower work piece, one member of the crawler is located on the top surface of the upper work piece, a second member is located between the two work pieces, and a third member is located on the bottom surface of the lower work piece. The friction stir welding tool for making the weld is rotatably coupled to each member and restricts axial displacement of the physically separate members relative to each other. The members are adapted to engage rails on the work pieces which provide at least one of guiding, alignment, fixturing, torque compensation for the members as the friction stir welding tool is rotated and the crawler is moved along a joint.