Abstract: A friction welding machine for welding first and second tubular workpieces together comprises a workhead assembly having a rotatable chuck for forcefully displacing the first workpiece into frictional engagement with the second workpiece. The workhead includes a shear mechanism having a shear tool mounted for selected displacement along the chuck's rotational axis. A shear cylinder of the shear mechanism positions the shear tool at a selected ready position within the first tubular workpiece preparatory to a welding operation, advances the shear tool upon completion of the welding operation into the second tubular workpiece thereby shearing the freshly formed internal weld flash, and retracts the shear tool to a remote position after shearing.

Abstract: An improved mandrel chuck for the backstop assembly of a friction welding machine holds a first interiorly lobed workpiece as a second rotating workpiece is displaced into forceful engagement therewith. The improved chuck comprises a main body portion, an end portion rigidly fixed to the main body portion, and an intermediate portion mounted between the main body portion and the end portion, all of the chuck portions having similar exterior lobes in a configuration which complements the interior lobes of the first workpiece. A hydraulic actuator rotates the intermediate portion relative to the main body and end portions to interiorly grip the first workpiece wherein one end of the first workpiece projects from and is proximate to the chuck end portion, whereby the chuck will not contribute to any outward bowing or distortion of the workpiece end.

Abstract: A friction welding machine comprising a base including a horizontal way surface, and a plurality of horizontally spaced keyways, an end stop assembly including a housing having roller supports for permitting horizontal displacement of the end stop assembly along the way surface. The device further includes a slide member having keys for matingly engaging with the base keyways and a pair of vertically spaced, horizontally extending, axially spaced end stops. A first member is included for locating the slide member at a lowermost position for locating the upper end stop at a predetermined machining location, a second member is included for locating the slide member at an intermediate position for locating the lower end stop at a predetermined machining location, and a third member is included for locating the slide member at an upper portion whereat the slide keys becomes disengaged from the base keyways whereby the end stop assembly can be horizontally displaced relative to the base.