Abstract: A continuous feed method for friction stir processing includes continuously feeding a tubular material having a first grain microstructure from a bulk source into a processing chamber, and forcing the tubular material between a die and a textured end portion of a mandrel as the tubular material is advanced through the chamber. The continuous feed method further includes rotating the mandrel within the tubular material while forcing the tubular material across the textured end portion to friction stir process the tubular material and transform a structure of the tubular material from the first grain microstructure to a second grain microstructure. The second grain microstructure is a finer equiaxed grain microstructure than the first grain microstructure. The method further includes converting the tubular material having the second grain microstructure into a stiffened sheet form.

Abstract: A multi-layer circular wooden frame of the type used as a steering wheel or hand rail for a chair is provided using a machine which includes a cylindrical forming shell rotatably mounted to a support, a plurality of pressing rolls disposed around the forming shell and movable toward and away from the shell, first and second feeding rollers and a reed which are also movable toward and away from the cylindrical shell. An elongate feeder is pivotally mounted so that one end is disposed for movement toward and away from the cylindrical shell and for delivering one end of a flat strip of wooden board into a passageway to be provided between the feeding rollers, pressing rolls, reed and the cylindrical shell.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing curvilinear convex wooden frames includes a base frame having a feeding bench mounted thereon over which is fed a continuous wooden strip which is wound up on a revolving pattern to form a rough frame of the desired thickness. The feeding bench is movable relative to the base frame and its movement is coordinated with the revolving pattern under control of a power cylinder to maintain the surface of the feeding bench tangent at all times to the revolving pattern.