Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090039139 | FRICTION STIR WELDING LOAD CONFIRMATION SYSTEM - A portable multi-axis load confirmation tool having a rotating ball on the end thereof follows a three-dimensional weld program path therewith. The ball reacts to an internal load cell for verifying weld program path dynamics before an actual program is run with friction stir welding tools. The load cell is connected to instrumentation electronics converting a load cell signal to a digital readout and comparing the load cell signal to weld program load requirements. The tool integrates into a tool holder loaded on a friction stir welding spindle for simulating an actual friction stir welding tool. | 02-12-2009 |
20090193910 | Method For Measuring Loads On A Friction Stir Welding Tool - An apparatus and method are provided for measuring loads on a rotating friction stir welding tool of a friction stir welding machine. The apparatus includes a frame that can be connected to the friction stir welding machine, and rollers rotatably connected to the frame are structured to contact and rotate with the friction stir welding tool. Each roller is adapted to adjust in a respective direction and communicate with a respective load cell so that the load cells detect a positional characteristic of the rollers and measure loads applied to the rotating friction stir welding tool during operation. The rollers can contact the rotating tool directly during operation of the machine, such as while the rotating tools is being moved through a workpiece to form a friction stir weld joint, to measure the loads on the tool in the direction of movement of the tool and a direction normal to the movement, i.e., the path and path normal directions. | 08-06-2009 |
20100252172 | Independent Axis Clamping Apparatus and Method - A method for performing operations on a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of: contacting the workpiece with a tool; moving the tool along any of multiple axes; moving a clamp along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool; and, clamping the workpiece using the clamp. Contacting the workpiece with the tool may comprise plunging a friction stir welding pin tool into the workpiece while the workpiece is being clamped. The tool may be moved by moving a spindle housing over the workpiece, and the clamp may be moved by rotating the clamp around the first axis as the spindle housing moves over the workpiece. The method may further comprise the step of coordinating the movement of the clamp with the movement of the tool. | 10-07-2010 |
20110308700 | Apparatus for Friction Stir Welding Using Spindle-in-Spindle - A spindle head for performing friction stir welding includes concentric spindle shafts driven by stacked, coaxial motors contained within a spindle housing. The coaxial arrangement of the motors results in a more compact package. Each of the motors is concentrically arranged around one of the spindles by directly connecting a rotor of the motor to a spindle shaft. The stators of the motors are mounted on the housing and are concentrically arranged around the concentric spindle shafts. | 12-22-2011 |
20130186937 | Apparatus for Friction Stir Welding Using Spindle-in-Spindle - A spindle head for performing friction stir welding includes concentric spindle shafts driven by stacked, coaxial motors contained within a spindle housing. The coaxial arrangement of the motors results in a more compact package. Each of the motors is concentrically arranged around one of the spindles by directly connecting a rotor of the motor to a spindle shaft. The stators of the motors are mounted on the housing and are concentrically arranged around the concentric spindle shafts. | 07-25-2013 |
20130255884 | INDEPENDENT AXIS ANCILLARY DEVICE - A manufacturing apparatus is presented. The manufacturing apparatus comprises a tool support movable along multiple axes; a tool mounted on the tool support for performing a manufacturing operation on a workpiece; and an ancillary device releasably mounted on the tool support and used in conjunction with the tool, the ancillary device moveable along at least a first axis independent of the movement of the tool. | 10-03-2013 |
20130292891 | RECONFIGURABLE CLAMPING SYSTEM - A reconfigurable clamping system is disclosed. An example clamping system for securing a workpiece comprises a retention assembly and an inflatable bladder. The retention assembly comprises a plurality of links, each pair of adjacent links having a pivotal connection to enable the retention assembly to be configured to the general shape of a workpiece, and each pair of adjacent links having a locking mechanism to selectively lock an angular relationship between the pair. The inflatable bladder is coupled between the retention assembly and the workpiece and is to apply a clamping force to the workpiece. | 11-07-2013 |