Dry machining technique removes original surfaces to obtain contamination free welding surface. Device straddles edge being prepared and aligns with existing edges and adjacent surfaces of workpiece while sensing device regulates cut depth. Description of prototype is given

Faulkner, G. E.

Saperstein, Z. P.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

.Juk 1)7 I	 Brief 7 1-102 14 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Device Prepares Aluminum Surfaces for Welding 
A practical system for preparing the welding sur-
faces of aluminum components is successful in obtain-
ing the desired surface cleanness. Surface contamina-
Gas	 I
In the new technique, dry machining removes the 
original surface to a depth sufficient to assure a con-
tamination-free welding surface. The prototype is 
tior contributes significantly to weld defects in
	 designed to straddle the edge being prepared, and to 
aluminum structures by causing undesirable porosity
	 align with the existing edge and adjacent surfaces of 
and permitting nonmetallic inclusions within the weld-
	 the workpiece. Depth of cut is regulated by a sensing 
ment. Current practices, such as chemical cleaning
	 device riding on the workpiece surface; therefore, 
followed by wire brushing or scraping, do not always
	 reasonably smooth existing surfaces and a uniform 
produce surfaces with minimum defect potential, i.e.,
	 thickness are necessary requirements. 
maximum cleanness. 	 The prototype, shown in the photograph, is corn-
w'1rn1uTll"'t 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000213 2020-03-17T02:19:18+00:00Z
prised of a drive unit and a cutting unit, joined by a 
clevis that allows the unit to traverse both straight 
and curved aluminum components. An electric switch 
mounted on top of the drive unit activates the travers-
ing drive motor. A gear train drives two polyurethane-
coated rollers held in firm contact with the workpiece 
weld edge. A knurled knob located near the bottom 
of the drive unit is used to adjust the drive rollers, and 
plates ranging in thickness from 0.2 to 2.5 cm (0.1 to 
1.0 in.) can be accommodated. The cutting unit con-
sists of a rigid body containing the air-driyen milling 
motors, depth-of-cut controls, alignment rollers and 
edge-breaking tools. The cutting unit body is a rectan-
gular tube that provides air passages for a vacuum 
system for waste removal. A cylinder welded to its 
rear provides an attachment for a shop-type vacuum 
cleaner. A handle is mechanically fastened to the body 
and can be removed when it is desirable to mount the 
cutting unit in a stationary position and move the 
workpiece. The handle incorporates a gas manifold to
handle the milling motor supply and exhaust. The 
switch on the handle operates a solenoid valve at the 
milling motor air supply outlet. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Code A&TS-TU 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: TSP71-10214 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Z. P. Saperstein and

G. E. Faulkner of

lIT Research Institute

under contract to

Marshall Space Flight Center

(M FS-20750)
. 
Brief 71-10214	 Category 07


Device prepares aluminum surfaces for welding

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