Overview of the mean of production used for FSW

The Friction Stir welding process is now introduced in production plants. More and more applications are developed and the most part of the work is now centered on the mean of production to be used. Institut de Soudure and Arts et Métiers ParisTech are working on this subject since mid of 2005. The results of this work is a recognize knowledge on the methodology for qualifying a Friction Stir Welding Equipment [1]. In the same time, and based on this work, Institut de Soudure has bought a new kind of Friction Stir Welding machine based on a KUKA Robot

Experimental investigation of the influence of the FSW plunge processing parameters on the maximum generated force and torque

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation, done on the friction stir welding (FSW) plunging stage. Previous research works showed that the axial force and torque generated during this stage were characteristic for a static qualification of a FSW machine. Therefore, the investigation objectives are to better understand the relation between the processing parameters and the forces and torque generated. One of the goals is to find a way to reduce the maximum axial force and torque occurring at the end of the plunging stage in order to allow the use of a flexible FSW machine. Thus, the influence of the main plunge processing parameters on the maximum axial force and torque are analysed. In fact, forces and torque responses can be influenced by the processing parameter. At the end, a diagram presenting the maximum axial force and torque according to the processing parameters is presented. It is an interesting way to present the experimental results. This kind of representation can be useful for the processing parameters choice. They can be chosen according to the force and torque responses and consequently to the FSW machine capacities

Methodology for qualifying a Friction Stir Welding equipment

The objective of this research work is the industrialization of the friction stir welding process in order to provide tools to industrials to select and qualify a machine for their FSW applications. This paper presents a methodology to determine the Friction Stir Welding equipment adequate to an application. The adequate equipment can be every machine that can perform friction stir welds. This paper presents a short review, based on literature survey, of the existing friction stir welding equipments. Then, the methodology developed is presented. It is based on the studying of the interactions between the tool and the workpiece

Determining the ability of a high payload robot to perform FSW applications

This paper presents an experimental methodology to determine a Friction Stir Welding (FSW) means of production based on the experimental study of the tool / material mechanical interactions generated during the welding operation. These two stages have been identified as being characteristic for the qualification of a FSW equipment. This paper presents the experimental results of the parametric study done on the plunging and welding phases. Ranges of forces and torques diagrams were established according to the processing parameters, in order to qualify a means of production and to select the processing parameters allowing the operation on the available FSW equipment

Qualification of a robotized Friction Stir Welding System

This paper presents an experimental methodology to determine a Friction Stir Welding (FSW) means of production based on the experimental study of the tool / material mechanical interactions generated during the welding operation. These two stages have been identified as being characteristic for the qualification of a FSW equipment. This paper presents the experimental results of the parametric study done on the plunging and welding phases. Ranges of forces and torques diagrams were established according to the processing parameters, in order to qualify a means of production and select the process parameters allowing the operation on the available FSW equipment

Click grafting of seaweed polysaccharides onto PVC surfaces using an ionic liquid as solvent and catalyst

International audienceSeaweed antibacterial polysaccharides were grafted onto poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) surfaces using an original click chemistry pathway. PVC isothiocyanate surfaces (PVC-NCS) were first prepared by nucleophilic substitution of the chloride groups by isothiocyanate groups in DMSO/water medium. Then, unmodified Ulvan, Fucan, Laminarin or Zosterin was directly grafted onto the PVC-NCS surface using 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium phosphate, an ionic liquid, as solvent and catalyst. To attest the grafting effectiveness, the new PVC surfaces were well characterized by AFM, XPS and contact angle measurement

Robotized FSW – Evolution of forces and torque with nonlinear welds

The main purpose of the article is to study the evolution of the welding forces and torque with non-straight welding path. The main studies performed on forces and torque are usually done on plane straight welding path when the processing parameter are developed. As industrializing robotized FSW, the robot structure deformation under FSW load depends on the forces generated on the tool. Thus, in order to compensate the robot deformation automatically through the control, statistical model giving the welding forces and torque as function of the process parameters is established. This article deals with the study of the forces and torque generated as welding circular and semi-circular welds. The effect of the welding direction (i.e. position of advancing and retreating side) is also analyzed. The objective is to determine if the statistical model giving the welding forces and torque as function of the process parameters developed on straight line can be applied for welding different weld path geometries

Experimental investigation of the influence of the FSW plunge processing parameters on the maximum generated force and torque

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation, done on the friction stir welding (FSW) plunging stage. Previous research works showed that the axial force and torque generated during this stage were characteristic for a static qualification of a FSW machine. Therefore, the investigation objectives are to better understand the relation between the processing parameters and the forces and torque generated. One of the goals is to find a way to reduce the maximum axial force and torque occurring at the end of the plunging stage in order to allow the use of a flexible FSW machine. Thus, the influence of the main plunge processing parameters on the maximum axial force and torque are analysed. In fact, forces and torque responses can be influenced by the processing parameter. At the end, a diagram presenting the maximum axial force and torque according to the processing parameters is presented. It is an interesting way to present the experimental results. This kind of representation can be useful for the processing parameters choice. They can be chosen according to the force and torque responses and consequently to the FSW machine capacities

Overview of the mean of production used for FSW

The Friction Stir welding process is now introduced in production plants. More and more applications are developed and the most part of the work is now centered on the mean of production to be used. Institut de Soudure and Arts et Métiers ParisTech are working on this subject since mid of 2005. The results of this work is a recognize knowledge on the methodology for qualifying a Friction Stir Welding Equipment [1]. In the same time, and based on this work, Institut de Soudure has bought a new kind of Friction Stir Welding machine based on a KUKA Robot

Statistical model of the tool/workpiece mechanical interactions in FSW

The robotization of the FSW process is facing two challenges which are to support the amplitude of the tool / workpiece mechanical interaction generated by welding and to apply the process parameters and in particular the axial force. To design the control laws of the robot it is necessary to model the mechanical interaction between the tool and the workpiece as function of the fsw process parameters