Abstract: Provided are a friction stir welding apparatus and a friction stir welding method that achieve highly accurate and highly reliable joining while minimizing an effect of bending of a pressing force receiving portion (carrying table) as a result of a press by a joining tool unit. The friction stir welding apparatus joins joining target members by friction stir welding. The friction stir welding apparatus is characterized by including: an apparatus main body; a control device that controls an operation of the friction stir welding apparatus; a C-shaped frame connected to the apparatus main body via a first vertical movement drive mechanism unit; a holder unit connected to one end of the C-shaped frame via a second vertical movement drive mechanism unit; and a joining tool held by the holder unit.

Abstract: Provided are a friction stir welding apparatus and a friction stir welding method capable of highly accurate position control in a Z-axis direction (vertical direction) of a joining tool when a joint target member is subjected to friction stir welding by the friction stir welding apparatus.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus and method maintains a depth of a welded part constant without varying a depth-direction position of a welding tool leading end part relative to welded members. A control device controls an operation of the friction stir welding apparatus, and a holder unit is connected to a swing mechanism unit via a revolving mechanism section, and a welding tool is held to the holder unit. The control device has a first welding mode in which friction stir welding is performed on the basis of a welding condition signal for deciding a welding condition of the welding tool, a swing control signal for controlling the swing mechanism unit, a first hold position decision signal, and a second welding mode in which friction stir welding is performed on the basis of the welding condition signal, the swing control signal, and a second hold position decision signal.

Abstract: Provided are a friction stir welding apparatus and a friction stir welding method capable of highly accurate position control in a Z-axis direction (vertical direction) of a joining tool when a joint target member is subjected to friction stir welding by the friction stir welding apparatus.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus and method maintains a depth of a welded part constant without varying a depth-direction position of a welding tool leading end part relative to welded members. A control device controls an operation of the friction stir welding apparatus, and a holder unit is connected to a swing mechanism unit via a revolving mechanism section, and a welding tool is held to the holder unit. The control device has a first welding mode in which friction stir welding is performed on the basis of a welding condition signal for deciding a welding condition of the welding tool, a swing control signal for controlling the swing mechanism unit, a first hold position decision signal, and a second welding mode in which friction stir welding is performed on the basis of the welding condition signal, the swing control signal, and a second hold position decision signal.

Abstract: Provided are a friction stir welding apparatus and a friction stir welding method that achieve highly accurate and highly reliable joining while minimizing an effect of bending of a pressing force receiving portion (carrying table) as a result of a press by a joining tool unit. The friction stir welding apparatus joins joining target members by friction stir welding. The friction stir welding apparatus is characterized by including: an apparatus main body; a control device that controls an operation of the friction stir welding apparatus; a C-shaped frame connected to the apparatus main body via a first vertical movement drive mechanism unit; a holder unit connected to one end of the C-shaped frame via a second vertical movement drive mechanism unit; and a joining tool held by the holder unit.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus includes a FSW tool that is held by a housing and welds to-be-welded members to each other by friction stir, and a gradual cooling device that gradually cools a weld site of the to-be-welded members welded by the FSW tool. The gradual cooling device is a contactless heat source that heats the weld site without coming into contact with the weld site. The contactless heat source is a high-frequency heat source.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a friction stir welding device which can realize appropriate friction stir welding while preventing a welding tool from being worn out and damaged. Therefore, the friction stir welding device is provided with a welding tool which rotates while abutting on a member to be welded to cause a plastic flow phenomenon in the member to be welded, a tool holder which grasps the welding tool and rotates together with the welding tool, supply paths which are formed in the tool holder and supply a refrigerant to the welding tool.

Abstract: A friction stir welding device includes: a control device which causes a pin part to be inserted into members to be joined while causing a joining tool to rotate and which causes a joining head to move along a joint line via a robot main body; and an image pickup device which detects a junction deviation that is a deviation between the joining head and a direction along the joint line. Also, when a junction deviation is generated, this control device causes the joining head to move in a direction toward the joint line and thus resolves the junction deviation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a friction stir welding device which can realize appropriate friction stir welding while preventing a welding tool from being worn out and damaged. Therefore, the friction stir welding device is provided with a welding tool which rotates while abutting on a member to be welded to cause a plastic flow phenomenon in the member to be welded, a tool holder which grasps the welding tool and rotates together with the welding tool, supply paths which are formed in the tool holder and supply a refrigerant to the welding tool.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus includes a FSW tool that is held by a housing and welds to-be-welded members to each other by friction stir, and a gradual cooling device that gradually cools a weld site of the to-be-welded members welded by the FSW tool. The gradual cooling device is a contactless heat source that heats the weld site without coming into contact with the weld site. The contactless heat source is a high-frequency heat source.

Abstract: A temperature sensor is provided inside the protrusion portion of the welding tool, and when welding is performed, the control device controls a rotation speed, a movement speed, or both rotation speed and movement speed of the welding tool, and thus the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is managed so as to fall within the predetermined management temperature range, and welding quality is equalized.

Abstract: A friction stir welding device includes: a control device which causes a pin part to be inserted into members to be joined while causing a joining tool to rotate and which causes a joining head to move along a joint line via a robot main body; and an image pickup device which detects a junction deviation that is a deviation between the joining head and a direction along the joint line. Also, when a junction deviation is generated, this control device causes the joining head to move in a direction toward the joint line and thus resolves the junction deviation.

Abstract: A problem of FSW spot-welding is that a bonding strength tends to be low, since an area of metallic bonding is limited to the neighborhood of a pin portion of the welding tool. In order to solve the problem, after a tool (1) is inserted into a member (4) to be welded, a rotation shaft of the welding tool is tilted around a predetermined point (13) as a fulcrum, and the tip portion of the welding tool (1) is swung to enlarge a plastic flow area caused by rotation of the tool. As a result, the welding strength can be increased.

Abstract: A problem of FSW spot-welding is that a bonding strength tends to be low, since an area of metallic bonding is limited to the neighborhood of a pin portion of the welding tool. In order to solve the problem, after a tool (1) is inserted into a member (4) to be welded, a rotation shaft of the welding tool is tilted around a predetermined point (13) as a fulcrum, and the tip portion of the welding tool (1) is swung to enlarge a plastic flow area caused by rotation of the tool. As a result, the welding strength can be increased.

Abstract: In a frictional stirring weld apparatus for bonding elements with a rotary tool, a head is movable with respect to the elements to position and orient the rotary tool so that a pin of the rotary tool is aligned along a boundary between first surfaces and a shoulder of the rotary tool faces to second surfaces extending radially outward from the first surfaces, and to generate a relative movement between the rotary tool and the elements along the second surfaces, and a compensating member is capable of holding thereon the rotary tool, at least partially rotatable on the rotational axis with respect to the head to rotate the rotary tool, and supported on the head movably along the rotational axis with respect to the head so that a positional relationship between the rotary tool and a combination of the elements is adjustable in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a friction stir welding apparatus and method and a processing apparatus and method, which are not easily affected by deformations of a work being processed. The friction stir welding apparatus inserts a rotating tool into the work and moves the rotating tool relative to the work to join members of the work. The friction stir welding apparatus and method and the processing apparatus and method of the invention, the latter cutting or grinding the work with a rotating cutter or grindstone, comprises controlling a relative distance between the tool, cutter or grindstone and the work under the joining or processing operation or an insertion depth so that the load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the tool, cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range, and a controller therefor.

Abstract: The invention provides a friction stir welding apparatus and method and a processing apparatus and method, which are not easily affected by deformations of a work being processed. The friction stir welding apparatus inserts a rotating tool into the work and moves the rotating tool relative to the work to join members of the work. The friction stir welding apparatus and method and the processing apparatus and method of the invention, the latter cutting or grinding the work with a rotating cutter or grindstone, comprises controlling a relative distance between the tool, cutter or grindstone and the work under the joining or processing operation or an insertion depth so that the load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the tool, cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range, and a controller therefor.

Abstract: In a frictional stirring weld apparatus for bonding elements with a rotary tool, a head is movable with respect to the elements to position and orient the rotary tool so that a pin of the rotary tool is aligned along a boundary between first surfaces and a shoulder of the rotary tool faces to second surfaces extending radially outward from the first surfaces, and to generate a relative movement between the rotary tool and the elements along the second surfaces, and a compensating member is capable of holding thereon the rotary tool, at least partially rotatable on the rotational axis with respect to the head to rotate the rotary tool, and supported on the head movably along the rotational axis with respect to the head so that a positional relationship between the rotary tool and a combination of the elements is adjustable in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a friction stir welding method and apparatus capable of maintaining a rotating tool and workpieces at a substantially constant geometrical relation for arbitrary curved surfaces having a three-dimensional shape, as well as a welded structure obtained thereby.