Abstract: A processing operation control method controls a processing operation in which a rotary tool 1 is rotated by a rotative drive unit 51, and presses the rotating rotary tool 1 is pressed by a pressing unit 52 to force the rotating rotary tool 1 into workpieces W1 and W2. Load placed on the rotary tool 1 during the processing operation is measured, an optimum rotating speed at which the rotary tool 1 is to be rotated and/or an optimum pressure to be applied to the rotary tool 1 for processing the workpieces W1 and W2 is determined on the basis of the measured load placed on the rotary tool 1. The rotative drive unit 51 and/or the pressing unit 52 are controlled on the basis of the optimum rotating speed at which the rotary tool 1 is to be rotated and/or the optimum pressure to be applied to the rotary tool 1.

Abstract: An aluminum plate and a steel plate are lapped. A rotating tool is placed on the aluminum plate, and then a pressing force and a rotational force around a pressing axis of the rotating tool are applied to the aluminum plate and the steel plate. A zinc plating layer having oxidation-prevention function is formed on the surface of the steel plate in advance. When joining the both plates, an oxidation film formed on the aluminum plate is destroyed and the zinc plating layer is pushed out outward from a joining portion, by applying the above pressing force and frictional heat and plastic flow due to the rotation of the rotating tool. Thereby, respective new uncovered surfaces of the both plates are directly contacted.

Abstract: In a friction agitation processing for processing a workpiece by penetrating a rotating processing tool into the workpiece keeping rotation, upon an occurrence of an emergency in execution of friction agitation processing, the processing tool is removed from the workpiece after a finishing time of scheduled friction agitation processing and thereafter stopped in rotation, so as thereby to prevent the processing tool from being locked in the workpiece.

Abstract: A weld across a joint is formed between superposed plate workpieces comprising a first plate workpiece made up of one or more plates and a second plate workpiece made up of a single plate having a joint bore formed therein by grasping the superposed plate workpieces between a rotating friction agitation welding tool and a back-up tool, rotating and advancing the friction agitation welding tool toward the back-up tool in an axis of welding to force the friction agitation welding tool to penetrate into the first plate workpiece while urging the friction agitation welding tool and the first plate workpiece together whereby generating frictional heat to plasticize workpiece material around the friction agitation welding tool and cramming a plasticized workpiece material into the joint bore of the second plate workpiece and allowing the plasticized workpiece material to solidify.

Abstract: While at least one of first and second tools 4 and 5 of a junction tool 6 is rotated, a workpiece W made of a plurality of plate materials W1 and W2 superimposed in their thickness directions is nipped between the first and second tools and joined at points. The first tool 4 is provided with a pin 44 protruding from its distal end surface 43 along a junction axis X. The second tool 5 is provided with a depression 51 which is depressed at its distal end surface 53 along the junction axis X. By the first pin 44 of the first tool 4 and the depression 51 of the second tool 5, the superimposed surface W3 of the softened workpiece W is caulked in the direction of the junction axis X. Further, plastic flow is generated within the workpiece W so as to agitate the vicinity of the superimposed surface W3.

Abstract: A friction agitation welding apparatus comprises a threaded shaft (46) fixedly connected to a motor shaft, a slide housing (48) in engagement with the threaded shaft (46) for vertical movement, a first drive shaft (58) supported for rotation by but coupled fixedly in axial movement to the slide housing (48) and equipped with a friction agitation welding tool (4), and a second drive shaft (64) fixedly connected to a motor shaft and telescopically supported by but coupled fixedly in relative rotation to the fit drive shaft (58). When the threaded shaft (46) is rotated, the slide housing (48), and hence the first drive shaft (58), moves to advance the friction agitation welding tool (4) to urge superposed workpieces to be joined. When the second drive shaft (64) is rotated, the first drive shaft (58), and hence the friction agitation welding tool (4), rotates even while the friction agitation welding tool (4) urges the superposed workpieces.

Abstract: A weld across a joint is formed between superposed plate workpieces comprising a first plate workpiece made up of one or more plates and a second plate workpiece made up of a single plate having a joint bore formed therein by grasping the superposed plate workpieces between a rotating friction agitation welding tool and a back-up tool, rotating and advancing the friction agitation welding tool toward the back-up tool in an axis of welding to force the friction agitation welding tool to penetrate into the first plate workpiece while urging the friction agitation welding tool and the first plate workpiece together whereby generating frictional heat to plasticize workpiece material around the friction agitation welding tool and cramming a plasticized workpiece material into the joint bore of the second plate workpiece and allowing the plasticized workpiece material to solidify.

Abstract: A friction agitation welding apparatus comprises a threaded shaft (46) fixedly connected to a motor shaft, a slide housing (48) in engagement with the threaded shaft (46) for vertical movement, a first drive shaft (58) supported for rotation by but coupled fixedly in axial movement to the slide housing (48) and equipped with a friction agitation welding tool (4), and a second drive shaft (64) fixedly connected to a motor shaft and telescopically supported by but coupled fixedly in relative rotation to the first drive shaft (58). When the threaded shaft (46) is rotated, the slide housing (48), and hence the first drive shaft (58), moves to advance the friction agitation welding tool (4) to urge superposed workpieces to be joined. When the second drive shaft (64) is rotated, the first drive shaft (58), and hence the friction agitation welding tool (4), rotates even while the friction agitation welding tool (4) urges the superposed workpieces.

Abstract: A friction agitation welding apparatus comprises a threaded shaft (46) fixedly connected to a motor shaft a slide housing (48) in engagement with the threaded shaft (46) for vertical movement, a first drive shaft (58) supported for rotation by but coupled fixedly in axial movement to the slide housing (48) and equipped with a friction agitation welding tool (4), and a second drive shaft (64) fixedly connected to a motor shaft and telescopically supported by but coupled fixedly in relative rotation to the first drive shaft (58). When the threaded shaft (46) is rotated, tie slide housing (48), and hence the first chive shaft (58), moves to advance the friction agitation welding tool (4) to urge superposed workpieces to be joined. When the second drive shaft (64) is rotated, the first drive shaft (58), and hence the friction agitation welding tool (4), rotates even while the friction agitation welding tool (4) urges the superposed workpieces.

Abstract: An aluminum plate and a steel plate are lapped. A rotating tool is placed on the aluminum plate, and then a pressing force and a rotational force around a pressing axis of the rotating tool are applied to the aluminum plate and the steel plate. A zinc plating layer having oxidation-prevention function is formed on the surface of the steel plate in advance. When joining the both plates, an oxidation film formed on the aluminum plate is destroyed and the zinc plating layer is pushed out outward from a joining portion, by applying the above pressing force and frictional heat and plastic flow due to the rotation of the rotating tool. Thereby, respective new uncovered surfaces of the both plates are directly contacted.

Abstract: A projection 3 is pressed into first and second members W1 and W2 with a predetermined pressure, while rotating a rotary tool 1 at a preset rotational speed, such that the first and second members W1 and W2 are sandwiched by the rotary tool 1 and stationary tool 10. The projection 3 rotates in these members to cut member textures around it, thereby generating heat. Furthermore, the cuttings formed by cutting with the projection 3 are accumulated in the members and agitated by the two tools 1 and 10, to collide against the surrounding member textures and the projection 3, thereby generating heat. Also, a first shoulder 2 is pressed in with a predetermined pressure and rotated to generate heat, thereby fusing the cuttings. While the plastic flow of the surrounding member textures is promoted, the first shoulder 2 is held at the predetermined pressure and rotational speed. The pressure per unit area is thus increased to increase the volume of plastic flow.

Abstract: In a friction agitation processing for processing a workpiece by penetrating a rotating processing tool into the workpiece keeping rotation, upon an occurrence of an emergency in execution of friction agitation processing, the processing tool is removed from the workpiece after a finishing time of scheduled friction agitation processing and thereafter stopped in rotation, so as thereby to prevent the processing tool from being locked in the workpiece.

Abstract: A weld across a joint is formed between superposed plate workpieces comprising a first plate workpiece made up of one or more plates and a second plate workpiece made up of a single plate having a joint bore formed therein by grasping the superposed plate workpieces between a rotating friction agitation welding tool and a back-up tool, rotating and advancing the friction agitation welding tool toward the back-up tool in an axis of welding to force the friction agitation welding tool to penetrate into the first plate workpiece while urging the friction agitation welding tool and the first plate workpiece together whereby generating frictional heat to plasticize workpiece material around the friction agitation welding tool and cramming a plasticized workpiece material into the joint bore of the second plate workpiece and allowing the plasticized workpiece material to solidify.

Abstract: While at least one of first and second tools 4 and 5 of a junction tool 6 is rotated, a workpiece W made of a plurality of plate materials W1 and W2 superimposed in their thickness directions is nipped between the first and second tools and joined at points. The first tool 4 is provided with a pin 44 protruding from its distal end surface 43 along a junction axis X. The second tool 5 is provided with a depression 51 which is depressed at its distal end surface 53 along the junction axis X. By the first pin 44 of the first tool 4 and the depression 51 of the second tool 5, the superimposed surface W3 of the softened workpiece W is caulked in the direction of the junction axis X. Further, plastic flow is generated within the workpiece W so as to agitate the vicinity of the superimposed surface W3.

Abstract: A processing operation control method controls a processing operation in which a rotary tool 1 is rotated by a rotative drive unit 51, and presses the rotating rotary tool 1 is pressed by a pressing unit 52 to force the rotating rotary tool 1 into workpieces W1 and W2. Load placed on the rotary tool 1 during the processing operation is measured, an optimum rotating speed at which the rotary tool 1 is to be rotated and/or an optimum pressure to be applied to the rotary tool 1 for processing the workpieces W1 and W2 is determined on the basis of the measured load placed on the rotary tool 1. The rotative drive unit 51 and/or the pressing unit 52 are controlled on the basis of the optimum rotating speed at which the rotary tool 1 is to be rotated and/or the optimum pressure to be applied to the rotary tool 1.

Abstract: A projection 3 is pressed into first and second members W1 and W2 with a predetermined pressure, while rotating a rotary tool 1 at a preset rotational speed, such that the first and second members W1 and W2 are sandwiched by the rotary tool 1 and stationary tool 10. The projection 3 rotates in these members to cut member textures around it, thereby generating heat. Furthermore, the cuttings formed by cutting with the projection 3 are accumulated in the members and agitated by the two tools 1 and 10, to collide against the surrounding member textures and the projection 3, thereby generating heat. Also, a first shoulder 2 is pressed in with a predetermined pressure and rotated to generate heat, thereby fusing the cuttings. While the plastic flow of the surrounding member textures is promoted, the first shoulder 2 is held at the predetermined pressure and rotational speed. The pressure per unit area is thus increased to increase the volume of plastic flow.