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

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

Study of the forces generated during nonlinear friction stir welding: circular trajectory

Friction stir welding is known for his capability to achieve a linear weld. However, more investigation on a curved friction stir weld trajectory is still required to industrialize this promising process. In the same perspective, this study is aimed at analyzing the influence of nonlinear tool trajectory in friction stir welding. The study considers a variety of circular trajectories on the plane plate and uses them for experimentation while considering different welding parameters of rotation speed feed speed, axial force and tilt angle. In FSW, the tool is generally needed to be tilted with a constant angle in the travel direction during welding process. Therefore, for circular trajectory, an adequate roll and pitch angle are assigned to the spindle in all tool positions. The paper presents the effect of circular trajectory on longitudinal and transversal forces generated during circular welding. The results are then compared with the experimental results which are obtained using linear FSW. Furthermore, the experimental investigation includes relationship between tool trajectory and weld quality

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

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

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

Influence of the tool geometry on the robustness of the robotized FSW process

En soudage par friction malaxage (Friction Stir Welding, FSW), l’outil est l’acteur principal de l’opération. Dans sa configuration conventionnelle, l’outil FSW n’est pas considéré comme un consommable lors du soudage des alliages d’aluminium. Sa partie active constituée d’un épaulement et d’un pion permet l’échauffement et le malaxage de la matière. Dans cette étude, on s’intéresse tout d’abord à analyser l’influence de la géométrie de l’outil sur la qualité du cordon. En effet, pour plusieurs géométries d’outil de soudage, les domaines de soudabilités opératoires sont définis et comparés. À partir de ces résultats, la robustesse des différentes géométries d’outil vis-à-vis de la qualité du malaxage lors d’une variation des paramètres de soudage est évaluée. D’autre part, pendant le soudage l’interaction outil/matière évolue suivant la géométrie des surfaces actives de l’outil FSW. Aussi, l’outil FSW a une influence sur les efforts engendrés au cours du soudage. Ces derniers sont donc également analysés afin de définir l’influence de la géométrie sur leurs variations. Dans un objectif de robotisation du procédé, cette étude est une première étape dans l’optimisation de l’outil en trouvant le bon compromis entre qualité du joint soudé et amplitude des efforts.In FSW the welding tool is a process major player. In its conventional configuration the FSW tool is not consumable. Its active part is composed by a shoulder and a pin and these elements allow two fundamental phenomena for FSW process: material warm up and material stirring. In this study the influence of the FSW tool geometry is analyzed and put in relation with the weld quality. Indeed for several FSW tool geometries the process window is established and compared. From these results the FSW tool geometries robustness is evaluated with regard to the weld quality when the welding parameters are evolving. On the other hand during the welding operation material/tool interaction evolves depending on the active welding tool surfaces. Therefore FSW tool influences forces values created during welding operation. These forces are analyzed in order to define the influence of the FSW tool geometries on their evolution. This study is a first step in the FSW tool optimization in finding a compromise between weld quality and welding forces in the aim to develop robotized FSW.Agence Nationale de la Recherche, projet COROUSS