Abstract: An ESD protection device that has low capacitance, excellent discharge characteristics, and improved heat resistance and weather resistance is provided. A functional layer 31, which is a composite having a conductive inorganic material 33 discretely dispersed in a matrix of an insulating inorganic material 32, is disposed between electrodes 21 and 22 disposed on an insulating substrate 11 and facing but spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of excess solder or contaminant, which are encountered on the surfaces of injection mold prior to the transfer of a solder on a silicon wafer. More particularly, there is provided an apparatus for the removal of excess solder, which may be present on a mold surface, without removing any solder, which is located in cavities formed in the mold, and wherein the solder is applied through an injection molded soldering process.

Abstract: A high speed ball shear machine is adapted for removing a metal bump fixed on a substrate. The high speed ball shear machine includes a fixing base, a shear tool, and a metal bump catcher. The substrate is fixed on the top surface of the fixing base. The shear tool is disposed above the top surface. The fixing base is adapted for being translated along a translation path relative to the shear tool, wherein the translation path is a straight path. When the fixing base translates along the path, the metal bump is driven to strike the shear tool so as to separate itself from the substrate. The metal bump catcher, which is adapted for catching the drop bump after the striking, is disposed on the side wall of the fixing base. The bump catcher has a fillister with a configuration depicted in the figures of this invention.

Abstract: A high speed ball shear machine is adapted for removing a metal bump fixed on a substrate. The high speed ball shear machine includes a fixing base, a shear tool, and a metal bump catcher. The substrate is fixed on the top surface of the fixing base. The shear tool is disposed above the top surface. The fixing base is adapted for being translated along a translation path relative to the shear tool, wherein the translation path is a straight path. When the fixing base translates along the path, the metal bump is driven to strike the shear tool so as to separate itself from the substrate. The metal bump catcher, which is adapted for catching the drop bump after the striking, is disposed on the side wall of the fixing base. The bump catcher has a fillister with a configuration depicted in the figures of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotational flash guard and method of use of a rotational flash guard. In general, the flash guard is attached to a support frame by an arm, a linkage mechanism pivotally interconnects the arm and the support frame, and an extensible power member connects the support frame to the linkage mechanism. Due to the unique configuration of the rotational flash guard it is adapted for movement about a work piece positioner to allow for use of a robotic tool while providing protection to the operator and other workers.

Abstract: A friction agitation joining tool (10A, 10B) includes a rotor (11) having an end portion to be pressed onto at least one of surfaces of joining members (11a, 1b) and a probe (13) to be inserted into a joining portion (3) of the joining-members (1a, 1b), wherein the probe (13) has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rotor (11). An end face (12) of the end portion of the rotor (11) is formed into a concave surface dented from a periphery of the end face (12) toward a rotational center of the end face (12). The probe (13) is protruded from the rotational center of the end face (12). The end face (12) is provided with a spiral groove (15) or an annular groove (16) surrounding the probe (13). By performing the joining operation with the joining tool (10A, 10B), a joined member with a good joint can be obtained.

Abstract: A solder paste stenciling apparatus for minimizing residue of solder paste has a stencil disposed above a substrate in a proper distance. Multiple stencil opens are defined through the stencil and distributed in a predetermined formation. A squeegee for applying solder paste onto the stencil has a hollow body for receiving the solder paste. A piston is used to apply pressure to the solder paste in the body so that the solder paste is urged to flow through an outlet defined in a bottom surface of the body. Two blowers are mounted on opposite sides of the body and a vent is defined in each blower. In operation, the solder paste flows out of the body via the outlet and into the stencil opens to be further deposited onto the substrate. Then, air coming out of the blowers assists the solder paste to be fully evacuated from the stencil opens.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one molten or solid structure from a surface including: placing the surface with the at least one molten or solid structure in a fixture; disposing said wiper assembly acted on by a bias proximate the at least one molten or solid structure; retaining the wiper assembly in a first position with a device having a first temperature point level equivalent to or higher than a second melting point level of the at least one molten or solid structure; and raising the temperature of the fixture to the first temperature point level; wherein the at least one molten or solid structure is wiped from the surface when the device reaches the first temperature point level.

Abstract: A system comprising a scavenging blade, a printed wiring board receiving portion, and a movement mechanism adapted to move the scavenging blade and printed wiring board receiving portion relative to each other, and to a method of removing excess fill material comprising providing a printed wiring board having filled holes and at least some excess fill material on a surface of the printed wiring board, providing a system comprising a scavenging blade, positioning the printed wiring board in the system, and causing the scavenging blade to traverse at least a portion of the printed wiring board in a manner that causes the scavenging blade to remove at least a portion of the excess fill material from the printed wiring board.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an electronic device to and removing an electronic device from a substrate. An electronic device pick-up and vacuum head applies a vacuum source to the electronic device for engaging, picking up and retaining the electronic device. The heat is transmitted by conduction through the structure of the device pick-up and vacuum head to the electronic device and solder for securing the electronic device on the substrate to heat the solder to its reflow temperature. The pick-up and vacuum head includes an electronic device engaging portion, a vacuum port, and a heat source engaging portion.

Abstract: In a jet soldering method, a substrate is held by an actuator and pre-heated by a pre-heater. The pre-heater has a shield member or the substrate is swung to equalize temperature distribution in the substrate. The substrate is then transferred over a primary jet soldering bath while dipping a treatment surface of the substrate in a primary solder jet, so that solder stick to the treatment surface of the substrate. Then, the substrate is transferred over a secondary jet soldering bath while dipping the treatment surface in a secondary solder jet, so that the solder sticking to the substrate is shaped. The transfer conditions of the substrate are differentiated between transfers over the primary jet soldering bath and the secondary jet soldering bath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for reworking a printed circuit board having plugged vias and plated through holes. The printed circuit board, supported by a movable local support, is heated from only the bottom side by a heating device near the area on the PCB that contains the plated through hole or holes to be reworked. The heating device is removed when the solder in the plugged PTH is completely melted. At that time, blast air is turned on to remove and blow off the excess solder in the PTH. The compressed air is more effective in displacing the molten solder than is vacuuming, and has less chance of damaging the PCB than do conventional reworking methods, due to the non-contact nature of the invention.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling the path of movement of an orbital motion welding system are provided. The locus path of a voltage space vector of a frequency converter feeding the electromechanical system is adjusted by an oscillation amplitude controller with respect to amplitude by using a path controller working in a rotating coordinate system, and a voltage generator. The adjustment is done with respect to the spectro-composition (relative amplitude and phase of the harmonic oscillations) so that the resulting path of movement equals the desired path of movement. The paths of movement obtainable with the invention include all kinds of ellipses including circular and linear paths of movement along one axis as extremes.

Abstract: A wave solder pallet having a first side that is adapted to receive a printed circuit board and a plurality of through holes or apertures that will allow solder to be transmitted through to selected regions on the printed circuit board. The surface of the base plate that is positioned adjacent the solder wave has channels formed therein, the channels being tapered inwardly so that the overall volume of the channel is greatest at the periphery of the pallet. The increased volume of the channel reduces the pressure effect of the solder wave as it contacts the pallet at the periphery thereby reducing the amount of solder that is splashed over the pallet. The tapering of the channel uniformly increases the pressure so that the pressure effect of the solder wave is increased when it travels through the apertures.

Abstract: A molded selective solder pallet and a method for fabricating a molded selective solder pallet for use in a wave soldering process to selectively affix solder to an area of a circuit board having an electronic component thereon. The selective solder pallet according to the present invention includes a mold base configured having an aperture formed through its cross-section. A high temperature casting material is molded within the mold base and configured to have at least one recess and at least one solder flow opening. A high temperature silicone casting material may be employed as the high temperature casting material.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool is provided generally comprising three parts: a rotatable welding tool body (22) that has an outer threaded surface (32) and a probe (24) extending from a distal end of the body, a shoulder (26), which has a threaded inner surface (40) and a bore (36) at a distal end of the shoulder, and a jam nut (28), which has a threaded inner surface (42). The shoulder is threaded onto the tool body such that the probe extends from the shoulder through the bore by a preferred length. The jam nut is then threaded onto the tool body to secure the shoulder. The tool is operatively connected to a drive motor for rotating the tool body. The shoulder may include a knife edge projecting from the distal end (38) thereof adjacent the bore. The knife edge inhibits the weld material from migrating along the probe to intrude inside the shoulder, where it may prevent separation of the tool body and the shoulder when readjustment of the tool is necessary.

Abstract: The invention provides a reflow furnace for an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly comprises a printed circuit board and a device on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has solder at a first area near the device and a metallic surface at second area distant from the device. The furnace comprises a frame, a support, a heater, and a shield. The support is secured to the frame and is capable of holding the printed circuit board. The heater is secured to the frame and is capable of heating the printed circuit board while being held by the support. The shield is secured to the frame and is positioned to prevent solder from migrating from the first area to the metallic surface at the second area while the printed circuit board is being heated.

Abstract: The reciprocally movable parts of a friction welding apparatus for performing a linear bonding process are connected to a rocking member arrangement including a torsion bar arrangement the elastic properties of which are used to store and return energy alternately to the reciprocating system in succeeding half cycles of the linear reciprocal movement. The total work input required from the oscillator driving the welding apparatus, once the system is set in motion, is thus reduced to the work needed to produce the friction bond and to overcome the internal friction of the machine. In a preferred arrangement the reciprocating parts, including the welding tooling, are dynamically balanced by two counterbalance weights spaced symmetrically about a centreline of the apparatus, and each counterweight is coupled through a respective torsion bar mounted rocking member to the reciprocating parts.

Abstract: A rotating probe 12 is disposed adjacent to a supporting roller 20. Metallic joining members 1, 2, which are butted or stacked to have a joining portion 3, are disposed between the supporting roller 20 and the probe 12 with one surface of the joining members 1, 2 supported by a circumferential peripheral surface of the supporting roller 12, and the rotating probe 12 is inserted into the joining portion 3 of the joining members 12. Then, the joining members 1, 2 are advanced along the joining portion 3 so that a portion of the joining members 1, 2 where the probe 12 contacts is softened by the friction heat generated due to the rotation of the probe 12 and agitated by the probe 12 to thereby join the joining materials 1, 2.

Abstract: A stir weld tool of the present invention is used to weld two pieces of metal together through frictional heating, plasticizing, mixing, and forging of the plasticized metal into a uniform weldment. The stir weld is accomplished by rotating the stir weld tool with a pin having at least one boss on its surface to create the mechanical friction in the metal in contact with the rapidly rotating pin. As the rotating pin travels along the weld joint, the plasticized metal of the work pieces is extruded to the back face of the pin while undergoing a mechanical stirring and forging from action imparted by the at least one boss on the surface of the pin, and while confined from above by the pressure exerted on the metal by a shoulder on the stir weld tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction stir welding device for optimizing the depth of a friction stir welding tool in a workpiece. The welding device includes a spindle and a welding tool in rotatable communication with the spindle. The welding device also includes an inner housing defining an aperture through which the welding tool at least partially extends. Preferably, the inner housing has a plurality of cam followers. The device also includes an outer housing defining an aperture for at least partially receiving the inner housing. The outer housing has a base member and a riser that is rotatably mounted to the base member and that defines a plurality of inclined surfaces upon which the plurality of cam followers ride. The welding device includes a sensor in electrical communication with a controller for measuring the magnitude of force exerted by the welding tool upon the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in a joining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip end first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel joint designs and methods for holding together and drawing together interface edges of workpieces during friction stir welding. The method includes providing an interface edge (30A) on a first workpiece (20A), and an interface edge (30B) on a second workpiece (20B) that is complementary with the interface edge of the first workpiece. The interface edges cooperate with consumable pins (38) to hold the first and second workpieces together. In a preferred embodiment, the interface edges cooperate to draw the first and second workpieces together when a load in a direction normal to the interfaces is applied along the mated interfaces.

Abstract: A friction-stir welding probe tip is disclosed which has right-handed threads on one portion of the probe and left-handed threads on another portion of the probe such that weld material is drawn to the middle of the weld as the friction-stir welding probe is rotated and passed along the joint region of the pieces to be joined. This probe tip is also fitted with a shoulder region for gripping by a rotation means.

Abstract: Process and device for the friction welding of workpieces that consist of different materials or possess different material properties, especially different hardnesses and/or melting points. The workpieces are rotated over a limited angle of rotation of less than 1,080.degree., preferably 290.degree. to 430.degree., relative to one another during the friction process. The angle of rotation is controlled via the friction time and the switching off of the rotating drive. The more resistant workpiece is preferably rotated and is leveled off on its face before the friction welding.

Abstract: A linear friction welding oscillator consists of a plurality of individual linear oscillators which are ganged together so as to operate in unison. The total force exerted by the composite oscillator is thus the sum of the output forces of the individual oscillators. The individual oscillators produce variable amplitude, linear reciprocation of an output ram by converting rotary motion into linear motion using conversion/coupling means such as a swash plate connected by a bending elements to drive a crank. Each of the individual oscillator cranks is rotatably engaged with the output ram so as to transmit to it axial, reciprocal movement due to the angular alignment of the swash plate axis with the ram. All of the individual oscillators are mounted in a common frame in which they can be swung in unison so as to vary and control their individual movements in synchronism.

Abstract: Stir friction welding is accomplished by applying force to plunge a nonconsumable, rotating welding post into the region to be welded. The rotation creates friction which at least partially melts the material to be welded, as the welding post penetrates. The force is continued, causing the post to continue to penetrate. A set of rollers associated with the welding head eventually reaches the surface of the workpiece when the welding post reaches the proper depth, and prevents further penetration of the welding post. In one embodiment of the invention, the rollers have crowned surfaces, and the force is applied by a hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for ultrasonically welding at their edges a strip of their copper foil to a second strip of supporting metal, preferably aluminum or stainless steel having a thickness greater than the copper foil. The welded strips are subsequently sheared into panels for use in making printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An auto-adjusting pin tool for friction stir welding is presented wherein the pin tool automatically adjusts for welding materials of varying thicknesses, and the pin can be incrementally withdrawn from the workpieces thus eliminating any crater or keyhole in the weld. The inventive apparatus is comprised of a welding head housing a motor connected to a controller instrument package and an arbor supported by bearings. The arbor forms an interior cylinder and is encircled by a stationary slip ring though which are ported hydraulic passageways into the interior cylinder of the arbor such that a piston housed therein may be moved axially. Coupled to the piston is a pin tool which is treaded on its lower end and which is moveably seated in, and extending through, a shoulder housing having concave lower face. When welding, the rotating treaded end of the pin enters and stirs the workpieces while the lower face of the shoulder housing compacts the workpieces.

Abstract: Variable amplitude, linear reciprocation of an output ram is produced by converting rotary motion into linear motion using a swash plate connected by a bending element to drive a crank. The rotary prime mover and swash plate are mounted on a pivotable frame so as the axial throw of the swash plate is determined by the angular offset of the rotational axes of the swash plate and crank. When the axes are coincident the throw, and therefore the ram stroke, is zero but progressive angular displacement produces a progressively increased stroke. Thus, the frequency of reciprocation is determined by the angular speed of the prime mover, and the stroke is controllably variable between maximum and zero.

Abstract: The frictional loads involved in a friction welding operation, for joining metal parts, may be several tons and the mass of the welding apparatus is correspondingly large. Thus, in addition to the energy which is converted into heat at the weld interface a substantial amount of work has to be done simply to overcome the inertial loads of the apparatus. An inertial load cancelling system is proposed in which a double acting gas spring arrangement is coupled to the welding oscillator output so that the work done in overcoming the inertia of the apparatus is returned to the system when the oscillator motion is reversed at the ends of each stroke. Thus, after the initial system input the oscillator has only to supply work to overcome internal frictional and that converted to frictional heat at the weld joint interface.

Abstract: A method for welding together two workpieces includes the steps of abutting workpieces together along respective edges of each of the workpieces, and locating one end of a rotatable tool astride the edges and against the workpieces. The tool is provided with a relatively narrow pin extending from the working end of the tool to engage the workpiece edges. The tool and pin are rotated to heat the workpiece edges, and the tool and workpieces are relatively moved. Electric current is supplied between the workpiece edges and the pin, with electrical resistance occurring between the workpiece edges and pin to provide heat in addition to the heat generated by friction occurring between the pin and workpieces to weld the workpieces together.

Abstract: A device exists for translational friction welding of a first component and a second component. The device includes a holder to hold the first component within an open ended frame having an open space within for receiving the first component. The frame includes a base and transversely spaced apart first and second members which longitudinally extend from the base to an open end of the frame at which is located a clamping feature used to clamp the first component in the holder with a clamping force having force components oriented along three orthogonal axis and has opposing tapering pressure surfaces which open outwardly in a first direction and taper inwardly in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A sacrificial block on the second component has block ends with surfaces that conforms to the surfaces of one of the clamping features. In a preferred embodiment the clamping feature is a compound wedge shaped notch and the block ends have corresponding compound wedge shapes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of friction welding for joining of members and more particularly to so-called friction stir welding based on a relative rubbing movement between a probe of harder material and members to be joined. The present invention also is directed to an improved tool to be applied in the friction welding process.

Abstract: An improvement to a friction stir welding tool having a rotating member, the improvement including an attachable cutting tool (30) having one or more radial cutting edges (32). A first embodiment of a cutting tool including one or more cutting inserts (42), each cutting insert having a lower end cutting edge; a like number of insert-engaging grooves (44); a collar (46) sized to closely engage around the rotating member with engaged inserts; a collar attachment arrangement for securing the collar (46) to the rotating member (38); and a number of set screws (48) for anchoring the cutting inserts (42) to the member (38).

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool for welding workpieces of variable thickness. The tool is characterized in that the displacement between a shoulder that presses down on an upper surface of the weld, and a tip of a rotating pin that penetrates and softens the workpiece to form the weld, is variable. In one embodiment, when the tool is used in conjunction with an apparatus that allows the shoulder of the tool to ride on and track the workpiece surface, the shoulder is stationary relative to the tool body, and the pin reciprocates relative to the shoulder to maintain contact with the backing plate, thereby providing a weld throughout the workpiece. In another embodiment, when the tool is used on an apparatus that holds the tool in fixed relationship to a backing plate on which the workpiece is held, the shoulder is able to reciprocate relative to the tool, following the upper surface contours of the workpiece, while the pin is able to penetrate through to the rear side of the workpiece to produce a uniform weld.

Abstract: A stir friction welding tool with a variable length pin relative to the shank of the tool is disclosed. The pin is moveable from a totally retracted position relative to the shank such that the shank may engage a workpiece without the pin engaging the workpiece. The pin then may be slowly extended into the work piece. The stir friction welding tool may also have a variable diameter shank to provide a variable volume cavity. Then as the pin is extended further into the workpiece the variable width shank can expand to increase the circumference of the shoulder and the volume of the cavity in the shank such that the pin length to cavity volume are within a range to insure a good surface material flow and a high weld quality using the stir friction welding process.

Abstract: Friction welding tooling includes a cassette (2,4) for holding a component (6) which is to be welded with great accuracy to a clamped workpiece. The cassette is carried on the distal end of an oscillator arm (8) and urged against the workpiece surface so the cassette has to transmit the frictional heating and weld forming forces to the component. The component (6) must be clamped accurately and securely by the cassette for accurate welding. The cassette comprises a base portion (2) and a floating cap (4). The base portion carried by the oscillator arm (8) has locating features (15,16) to position the component (6) accurately. The floating cap (4) has similar locating features (13,16) but locates entirely on the component (6). The cap (4) is then securely clamped to the base portion (2) with a force transmitting wedge (22) inserted by opposing faces (24,25) in a load path.

Abstract: In a friction bonding operation the friction generating and weld forming forces are usually applied perpendicular to the joint faces. Thus, whenever the joint angle changes to component cassette part of the welding machine must be reset to a new angular orientation. This situation arises in the manufacture of a compressor BLUM (Bladed drUM) for a gas turbine engine, where the blades in successive stages are set at different HADE angles. The invention provides an improved component cassette in which the HADE angle is ignored. The cassette is interlocked with the workplace holder to provide a closed force loop to contain out-of-plane forces while retaining sufficient degrees of freedom to allow the friction generating and welding movements to proceed unimpeded.

Abstract: A method for ensuring complete penetration of a friction stir weld using a rotating pin friction stir welding tool comprising chamfering the bottom of the plates to be welded along the faying edges. Placing the plates on a back up plate. Inserting the pin friction stir welding tool into the plates to the depth of the chamfer and translating it along the faying surface to plasticize the material in the plates. The plasticized material will flow into the volume defined by of the chamfer at the bottom of the plates and the back up plate. A visual inspection will show if the weld penetrated fully through the plates if the chamfered volume is filled with material which flowed in while plasticized.

Abstract: Device for causing epicycloid vibration, characterized in that it comprises at least one shaft secured by one of its ends to a bed connected by elastic means to the frame of the machine and furthermore supporting a thermoplastic component, the said shaft being provided at this end with a magnetic outgrowth, which when made to rotate inside a plurality of magnetic fields brought about by switching on a plurality of electromagnets located about the said shaft, generates an epicycloid-type movement of the bed, the other free end of the shaft being, on the one hand, guided in rotation within the frame of the machine and, on the other hand, driven in rotation by a motor.

Abstract: A friction welding apparatus and a method for its use is disclosed where the apparatus includes a plurality of interchangeable components including a drive system, an actuator assembly, a support system and a control system, the combination operable to friction weld a workpiece to a valve body.

Abstract: A method involving galling for securing against lateral motion two bodies held in face-to-face asperity contact, thereby to make a join between the two bodies, in which in the preferred form of the method there is inserted into the interface of the surfaces of the two bodies a material that on minimal initial lateral relative motion of the two surfaces promotes rapid but controllable "galling" between the two surfaces, the galling binding the surfaces against further such motion, and the use in such method of electric current during formation of the join to heat and soften the touching asperities, thus enabling them to deform and flatten more rapidly to bring other smaller asperities nearby into contact and thus increase the number of gall sites, and/or use of electric current after formation of the join to effect stimulation and/or acceleration of the formation of diffusion bonds across the opposed faces of the join.

Abstract: A new method of friction welding, particularly suitable for manufacturing BLISKS and BLUMS for gas turbine engine rotors, in which the disc or drum rotor is angularly reciprocated while the airfoil blades are pressed radially against the rotor circumference. A machine for carrying out the method has a workpiece holder and a counterbalancing member mounted for angular reciprocation and coupled together by torque transfer means to constitute a resonant system. In operation the machine is driven at or near its natural frequency of oscillation. The natural frequency can be tuned by adjusting the stiffness of the torque transfer means. The machine also includes a drive mechanism.

Abstract: Holding means for a component in a friction welding operation consists of a hollow cassette which is open at one end. The component is inserted into the cassette through an aperture at the open end that is shaped to frictionally engage a thickened portion of the component with a force greater than forces transmitted to the component during a friction welding operation. The component is pressed into the cassette to a predetermined depth so that a portion of it protrudes and forms the weld interface. Material upset during the welding operation may be sheared by increasing the weld generating force to overcome the frictional holding force so the end face passes over the weld region.

Abstract: A component holder for a friction welding apparatus has upper and lower clamp members which can be urged towards each other in order to clamp between them a component to which second or further components are to be friction welded. The first component is held in the component holder substantially entirely by friction clamping forces. The component holder is particularly suited to use with friction welding apparatus in which the component holder is carried by an angularly reciprocable workpiece mounting member.

Abstract: A workpiece holder for angularly reciprocatory friction welding apparatus includes clamp members for clamping the workpiece to a mounting table. The height and circumferential position of a drum is adjustable to facilitate blade attachment in manufacture of a blum. Means are also described for reinforcing the drum during blade attachment in order to absorb welding forces which might otherwise distort the drum surface.

Abstract: Friction welding is preformed by linear or non-rotating orbital motion in which both parts to be joined by friction welding are moved in identical paths, out of phase to produce friction until welding temperature is attained, and then in phase, with the parts registered in alignment, during the bonding phase. Because the registered, in phase control of the mechanism is attainable with great certainty and rapidity, friction welding with a far higher precision and accuracy of alignment is attained. The high precision and accuracy of the technique permits application of friction welding to fabrication of parts, such as turbine engines, not usually made by such techniques. A preferred apparatus for practice of the invention involves an opposed pair of orbital tables (110 and 120), on which parts to be joined are mounted and fixed in place by mounts 113 and 123).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for injecting sealant into a packing assembly chamber surrounding a valve stem 11 of a valve 2 without venting the pressure within the valve 2. A cylindrical body 60 is frictionally welded to the exterior of the valve 2 adjacent the packing assembly chamber. A drill bit is passed into the body 60 and through a set of packing seals 87. An opening is completed into the packing chamber. As the drill bit is withdrawn from the body 60, a second valve 70 is manually "closed" to isolate the packing chamber from the drill bit and prevent the escape of pressurized fluid when the drill bit is removed from the seals 87. Thereafter, a device for injecting sealant is attached to the body 60 and the valve 70 is "opened" to allow the sealant to flow into the packing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention consists in the apparatus for use in welding a first component and a second component together by friction welding, comprising drive means operative to generate reciprocatory movement, a component holder operative to hold said first component, linking means operative to transmit reciprocatory movement from the drive means to the component holder so that in operation said first component performs reciprocatory heat-generating movement, pressure means operative to exert pressure on the component holder so that in operation said first component also performs welding movement, the linking means being such as to accommodate that welding movement during friction welding, and the pressure means being such as to accommodate that heat-generating movement during friction welding.