Abstract: The present invention provides a friction stir welder that includes a stage on which at least two material pieces to be welded are mounted and stacked, a pressing member that covers and presses end faces of the material pieces to be welded that are mounted and stacked on the stage, and a rotary tool that is inserted into the stacked material pieces to be welded while rotating, so that a plastic flow is generated at an interfacing portion as well as in the vicinity thereof between the rotary tool and the material pieces to be welded, thereby to joint the material pieces to be welded to each other.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus and a method of operating the friction stir welding apparatus are disclosed. The friction stir welding apparatus includes a rotary tool whose extremity constitutes a probe, a retaining arm which supports the rotary tool, and a roller provided at a position of the retaining arm opposite the rotary tool. The method includes adjusting the retaining arm so as to position workpieces between the rotary tool and the roller while adjusting the roller to turn in a direction where a joint line of the workpieces extends, rotating the rotary tool and lowering the probe until the probe presses the workpieces, gradually inserting the probe into the joint line, and moving the probe along the joint line.

Abstract: A thin and large high toughness die-cast product is provided that is formed from an Al—Mg casting alloy having the composition 3.5 wt %?Mg?4.5 wt %, 0.8 wt %?Mn?1.5 wt %, Si<0.5 wt %, Fe<0.5 wt %, a sum (Ti+Zr) of amounts of Ti and Zr added of equal to or greater than 0.3 wt %, and a ratio (Ti/Zr) of the amounts of Ti and Zr added of at least 0.3 but not more than 2, with the balance being Al.

Abstract: A front subframe 42 is formed of an aluminum alloy into a frame that is formed substantially into a shape of parallel crosses or into a rectangular shape and is made up of left and right front joint portions 64, 64 and left and right rear joint portions 71, 71 which are disposed at corners of the frame that is formed substantially into the shape of parallel crosses or the rectangular shape, and left and right longitudinal members 61, 61, and front and rear cross members 62, 67 which connect the joint portions 64, 64, 71, 71 together. The left and right front joint portions 64, 64 and the left and right rear joint portions 71, 71 are formed of an aluminum alloy die-cast product, whereas the left and right longitudinal members 61, 61 are formed of an aluminum alloy wrought product. In addition, connecting locations 76 . . . of a camber angle adjusting mechanism 157 are formed of an aluminum alloy die-cast product. Additionally, a rear cross member compound 63 is formed of an aluminum alloy die-cast product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a friction stir welding process for joining two members having different shearing strengths, and a friction stir welded structure fabricated by the process. The friction stir welding process includes the step of positioning a first welded member and a second welded member such that both members overlap each other, thereby defining an overlapped region, and the step of inserting a rotating pin into the overlapped region from a surface of the second welded member, so that the first and second welded members are joined together. In this process, the first welded member has a lower shearing strength than that of the second welded member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction stir welder that includes a stage on which at least two material pieces to be welded are mounted and stacked, a pressing member that covers and presses end faces of the material pieces to be welded that are mounted and stacked on the stage, and a rotary tool that is inserted into the stacked material pieces to be welded while rotating, so that a plastic flow is generated at an interfacing portion as well as in the vicinity thereof between the rotary tool and the material pieces to be welded, thereby to joint the material pieces to be welded to each other.

Abstract: A friction stir welding apparatus and a method of operating the friction stir welding apparatus are disclosed. The friction stir welding apparatus includes a rotary tool whose extremity constitutes a probe, a retaining arm which supports the rotary tool, and a roller provided at a position of the retaining arm opposite the rotary tool. The method includes adjusting the retaining arm so as to position workpieces between the rotary tool and the roller while adjusting the roller to turn in a direction where a joint line of the workpieces extends, rotating the rotary tool and lowering the probe until the probe presses the workpieces, gradually inserting the probe into the joint line, and moving the probe along the joint line.

Abstract: A front subframe 42 is formed of an aluminum alloy into a frame that is formed substantially into a shape of parallel crosses or into a rectangular shape and is made up of left and right front joint portions 64, 64 and left and right rear joint portions 71, 71 which are disposed at corners of the frame that is formed substantially into the shape of parallel crosses or the rectangular shape, and left and right longitudinal members 61, 61, and front and rear cross members 62, 67 which connect the joint portions 64, 64, 71, 71 together. The left and right front joint portions 64, 64 and the left and right rear joint portions 71, 71 are formed of an aluminum alloy die-cast product, whereas the left and right longitudinal members 61, 61 are formed of an aluminum alloy wrought product. In addition, connecting locations 76 . . . of a camber angle adjusting mechanism 157 are formed of an aluminum alloy die-cast product. Additionally, a rear cross member compound 63 is formed of an aluminum alloy die-cast product.

Abstract: A thin and large high toughness die-cast product is provided that is formed from an Al—Mg casting alloy having the composition 3.5 wt %?Mg?4.5 wt %, 0.8 wt %?Mn?1.5 wt %, Si?0.5 wt %, Fe?0.5 wt %, a sum (Ti+Zr) of amounts of Ti and Zr added of equal to or greater than 0.3 wt %, and a ratio (Ti/Zr) of the amounts of Ti and Zr added of at least 0.3 but not more than 2, with the balance being Al.

Abstract: A pound or number sign shaped (#-shaped) die cast sub-frame includes first and second horizontal members and first and second vertical members. The sub-frame has four arm mounting portions provided at four corners thereof, respectively. The arm mounting portion is a die cast part obtained near a communication portion of a runner formed in a die casting machine. Generally triangular bulged portions are formed at junction portions where the first horizontal member meets the first and second vertical members. Each junction portion has increased width. The junction portion is a die cast obtained within a cavity of increased width of the die casting machine. The bulged portion is pierced to provide a hole. The bulged portion having the hole formed therein is to be mounted to a small vehicle component.

Abstract: The plurality of built-in parts 6, 7, 8, 9 are disposed in such a manner that the center of gravity G2 of these built-in parts is situated on the opposite side of the door hinge 5 with respect to the position of the total center of gravity G1 of the door main body itself and the completely-closed windowpane 10. Especially, the drive motor 63 of the window regulator 6 is disposed spaced from the center of gravity G1 on the opposite side of the door hinge 5.

Abstract: An Al—Si based alloy and an alloy member made of the alloy, in which when alloys produced by diecasting under high vacuum conditions are welded, weldability can be improved without increasing plate thickness of welded portions and reducing gas content in diecasting.

Abstract: The plurality of built-in parts 6, 7, 8, 9 are disposed in such a manner that the center of gravity G2 of these built-in parts is situated on the opposite side of the door hinge 5 with respect to the position of the total center of gravity G1 of the door main body itself and the completely-closed windowpane 10. Especially, the drive motor 63 of the window regulator 6 is disposed spaced from the center of gravity G1 on the opposite side of the door hinge 5.

Abstract: A ribbed die cast product includes a plate-shaped main body and at least one rib provided on a back surface of the main body. The die cast product is made of an Al—Mg alloy. A first imaginary straight line runs along a lengthwise direction of the rib and intersects a plurality of second imaginary straight lines that run along the flow of molten metal in the main body.

Abstract: A suspension structure includes a subframe and a suspension arm. The suspension structure has strength lower than that of the subframe. When an excessive external force acts from a road surface on a wheel, the suspension arm is deformed before the subframe is, thereby preventing the excessive external force from directly acting on the subframe.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy for die-casting capable of being used in high pressure die-casting method, and capable of providing a product having a sufficiently high strength and elongation without T6 treatment after casting and endurable under a corrosive atmosphere. Such aluminum alloy is used as a material of a subordinate frame for an automobile. The aluminum alloy contains from 8.0 to 9.0 mass % of Si, from 0.35 to 0.45 mass % of Mg, from 0.3 to 0.4 mass % of Mn, from 0.002 to 0.008 mass % of Be, less than 0.20 mass % of Fe, not more than 0.2 mass % of Cu, not more than 0.1 mass % of Zn, not more than 0.1 mass % of Ni, not more than 0.1 mass % of Sn, and remainders of Al and inevitable impurities. High pressure die casting is performed with this alloy by a die-casting machine provided with a seal ring disposed over a plunger tip, liquidized gaskets, a sealing rubber and a pin seal plate those being capable of providing high seal-ability and high vacuum in a mold cavity.

Abstract: A #-shaped die cast sub-frame includes first and second horizontal members and first and second vertical members. The sub-frame has four arm mounting portions provided at four corners thereof, respectively. The arm mounting portion is a die cast part obtained near a communication portion of a runner formed in a die casting machine. Generally triangular bulged portions are formed at junction portions where the first horizontal member meets the first and second vertical members. Each junction portion has increased width. The junction portion is a die cast obtained within a cavity of increased width of the die casting machine. The bulged portion is pierced to provide a hole. The bulged portion having the hole formed therein is to be mounted to a small vehicle component.

Abstract: A suspension structure includes a subframe and a suspension arm. The suspension structure has strength lower than that of the subframe. When an excessive external force acts from a road surface on a wheel, the suspension arm is deformed before the subframe is, thereby preventing the excessive external force from directly acting on the subframe.

Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle bumper, having a base beam preferably made of an extruded aluminum alloy, and an impact beam attached to an outer surface of the base beam with these members joined together by sliding engagement in an axial direction of the base beam. The bumper beam and the impact beam can be made of straight linear members each having a relatively small cross sectional area. In particular, the base beam may have a pair of vertically spaced identical members extending in a mutually parallel relationship which are joined together by the impact beam.