FSW-equipmentfor Reaping the Process Benefits.SOLUTIONS with Effective, Practical Advice
(Sponsored Links) See an introduction to this process in our page on Friction Stir Welding (Opens a new Window). Many avenues had to be explored, concerning materials, equipment, tools, properties, parameters, applications, economy. The early successes with important applications in refrigeration and aerospace spurred explorations in new fields like shipbuilding and transportation. FSW-equipment was originally developed by modifying universal milling machines to make them sturdier and capable of sustaining the remarkable forces involved in the process, while clamping securely the workpieces. Development began with aluminum as the base metal to be welded, a promising choice for applications of the new process. Then research continued with other materials like magnesium and copper. Steel, Stainless, Titanium and heat resisting materials followed, starting generally with moderate thickness and exploring the limits achievable. Limited success was obtained but for certain hard to weld materials active research is still performed. An interesting paper reviews the history of development of FSW-equipment from the viewpoint of the patents applied for. See FSW Patents - a Stirring Story Much thought had to be applied to generate the best tooling shape. Different shapes were tested and modified according to the results of their application. Promising tooling materials were tested and developed to obtain adequate endurance at reasonable price. New approaches were tried like skewing the axis of revolution of the tool relative to the perpendicular to the plane of welding, or making the tool retractable. TWI remains probably the repository of most of the cumulated experience gained. Whoever needs to be informed rapidly of all the details for studying a new application and for choosing suitable FSW-equipment should consider participating in a special course held at TWI. See: An Introduction to Friction Stir Welding Many companies around the world entered in licensing agreements with TWI to build FSW-equipment specially suited to new application requirements. Now machines of all sizes are available, including portable and robot mounted. A current list of licensees is available from TWI: Friction Stir Welding Equipment Manufacturers A nice application of FSW-equipment for pipe welding can be watched at: Any questions or comments or feedback? Write them down and send them to us by e-mail.Click on the Contact Us button in the NavBar at top left of every page.
To reach a Guide to the collection of the most important Articles from Past Issues of Practical Welding Letter, click on Welding Topics. Important Announcementa rich collection of valuable information on Materials, Volume 1, and Metals Welding, Volume 2, from expert Internet Sources, see our New Page on Metals Knowledge
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