FSW tool with a stationary shoulder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10953489-B2
Application number	US-201716319204-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 19, 2017
Priority date	Jul 19, 2016
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

A set of fittings for an FSW tool (friction-stir-welding tool) includes an adapter that can be inserted into a tool-receiving element and is designed to receive a welding rod, and a shoulder cap that includes a through-opening for the welding rod and the adapter. The shoulder cap includes a welding shoulder region adjacent to the through-opening on the outer surface. The adapter can be rotated in relation to the shoulder cap, about a longitudinal axis extending concentrically to the through-opening. The inner contour of the through-opening and a radial outer contour of the adapter have a conical shape at least on the end facing the welding point. In this way, a conical annular gap is created between the adapter and the shoulder cap, the width of which is adjustable by positioning the adapter along the longitudinal axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A set of fittings for a friction stir welding (FSW) tool, comprising:
an adapter insertable in a tool holder that is configured to accommodate a welding rod; and
a shoulder cap having a through-opening at a distal end thereof such that the welding rod and the adapter extend through the through-opening;
wherein the shoulder cap includes a welding shoulder region adjacent to the through-opening;
wherein the adapter is rotatable relative to the shoulder cap about a longitudinal axis extending concentrically with the through-opening; and
wherein an inner contour of the through-opening and a radial outer contour of the adapter are conically shaped at least at an end facing a welding point.

2. The set of fittings of claim 1 , wherein the adapter and the tool holder are configured such that a position of the adapter is adjustable relative to the welding shoulder region in directions parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. The set of fittings of claim 1 , wherein the adapter is configured such that a position of the welding rod is adjustable along the longitudinal axis.

4. The set of fittings of claim 1 , further comprising an annular gap between the shoulder cap and the adapter, at least in the region of the through-opening.

5. The set of fittings of claim 4 , further comprising:
a first guide structure situated on at least one of the conical radial outer contour of the adapter or the inner contour of the through-opening;
wherein the first guide structure is configured to generate a conveying force in the direction of the longitudinal axis on a material located in the annular gap during a relative rotation between the adapter and the shoulder cap.

6. The set of fittings of claim 5 , further comprising:
a second, inner guide structure situated on at least one of the conical radial outer contour of the adapter or the inner contour of the through-opening;
the second guide structure located closer to the inside of the FSW tool in the longitudinal direction;
wherein:
the first guide structure is configured to generate a conveying force in a direction toward an outside of the FSW tool during the relative rotation, and
the second guide structure is configured to generate a conveying force in a direction toward an inside of the FSW tool during the relative rotation.

7. The set of fittings of claim 4 , further comprising a chamber disposed at an inner end of the annular gap in an assembled state of the set of fittings, the chamber configured to receive welding material passing through the annular gap.

8. The set of fittings of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one adjustment means disposed on at least one of the tool holder or the adapter;
the at least one adjustment means configured to set the axial position of at least one of the adapter or the welding rod.

9. A friction stir welding (FSW) tool, comprising:
a set of fittings according to claim 1 ;
a dome that encloses the tool holder; and
a tool carrier on which at least one of the tool holder or the dome are supported;
wherein the tool holder is rotatably mounted relative to the dome and is supported on the tool carrier in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and
the shoulder cap is non-rotatably connected to the tool carrier and is supported in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

10. The FSW tool of claim 9 , wherein the tool carrier is configured to be fastened to a multiaxial industrial robot.

11. The FSW tool of claim 9 , wherein the shoulder cap is connected to the dome by a separate fastener.

12. The FSW tool of claim 9 , further comprising:
at least one opening through the dome and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis;
the at least one opening configured to receive at least one adjustment means for setting at least one of the axial position of the adapter or the axial position of the welding rod.

13. The FSW tool of claim 9 , wherein:
the shoulder cap and the dome enclose the tool holder in a pressure-tight manner; and
the FSW tool further includes a pressure source operable to generate pressure within the FSW tool such that a material located in the annular gap is impacted by one of an outwardly directed or an inwardly directed conveying force.

14. A method for adapting a set of fittings or an FSW tool for a welding operation, the method comprising:
obtaining a set of fittings, comprising:
an adapter insertable in a tool holder that is configured to accommodate a welding rod, and
a shoulder cap having a through-opening at a distal end thereof such that the welding rod and the adapter extend through the through-opening,
wherein the shoulder cap includes a welding shoulder region adjacent to the through-opening,
wherein the adapter is rotatable relative to the shoulder cap about a longitudinal axis extending concentrically to the through-opening, and
wherein an inner contour of the through-opening and a radial outer contour of the adapter are conically shaped at least at an end facing a welding point; and

setting a position of the adapter in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis relative to the position of the shoulder cap to thereby adjust an internal width of an annular gap between the shoulder cap and the adapter.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
shortening at least one of the adapter or the shoulder cap in the area of the welding shoulder region to thereby adjust a difference in vertical position between an end face of the adapter and the welding shoulder region to a desired degree.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the end face of the adapter and the welding shoulder region are shortened in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis such that at least one of:
a uniform height of the welding shoulder region and the end face of the adapter is produced in the direction of the longitudinal axis; or
surface dimensions of at least one of the welding shoulder region or the end face are adjusted to a desired degree.

17. A method of operating an FSW tool, the method comprising:
obtaining an FSW tool according to claim 13 ;
positioning the FSW tool on at least one workpiece such that the welding rod contacts a surface of the workpiece;
executing a dipping movement along the longitudinal axis of the welding rod until at least one of an auxiliary shoulder on the adapter or the welding shoulder region of the shoulder cap contacts the workpiece surface, whereby a portion of the material of the workpiece is plasticized; and
actuating the pressure source of the FSW tool during or after the welding operation to generate a pressure within the FSW tool and to impact any plasticized material located in the annular gap with a conveying force.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
guiding the FSW tool during a welding operation in a substantially translational movement along a designated welding path.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising shaping the plasticized material with at least one of the auxiliary shoulder or the welding shoulder region during the guided movement.

20. A set of fittings for a friction stir welding (FSW) tool, comprising:
an adapter insertable in a tool holder that is configured to accommodate a welding rod; and
a shoulder cap having a through-opening for the welding rod and the adapter;
wherein the shoulder cap includes a welding shoulder region adjacent to the through-opening;
wherein the adapter is rotatable relative to the shoulder cap about a longitudinal axis extending concentrically with the through-ope

Assignees

• Kuka Deutschland Gmbh

Inventors

• Fröhlke Stefan
• Habersetzer Stefan
• Richter Bernd

Classifications

• B23K20/122 Primary

  using a non-consumable tool, e.g. friction stir welding · CPC title

• B23K37/08

  for flash removal · CPC title

• B23K20/1245 Primary

  characterised by the apparatus · CPC title