GB1315676A - Method of and apparatus for friction welding - Google Patents

Abstract

1315676 Welding by pressure JOHN THOMPSON (PIPEWORK & ORDNANCE DIVISION) Ltd 20 Aug 1971 [18 July 1970] 34935/70 Heading B3R Friction welding apparatus comprises a plurality of reciprocatory drive means spaced angularly around the workpiece holder, each being adapted to impart thereto a component of displacement which collectively provide a relative translational movement of the workpiece holders along an orbital path. In the apparatus described a cylinder block 13 has five angularly spaced radially arranged hydraulic cylinders 42 with pistons 44 connected to a workpiece holder 22, the latter having a collet 20 for supporting a workpiece W2. The workpiece holder 22 is mounted in the cylinder block 13 by means of bearings 26 for orbital planar movement whereas the other workpiece holder 2 is mounted for axial movement only to apply frictional and forging pressure at the workpiece interface. A rotary hydraulic distributor valve 15 provides for the supply of hydraulic fluid sequentially through passages 18 to the cylinders 41 the resultant motion of the workpiece holder 22 being a circular orbital motion. One of the connecting rods 45 is anchored non-pivotally to the holder 22 to prevent rotational motion of the holder. A stop piston 56 and cylinder 53 are arranged outwardly of each cylinder 42 and hydraulic fluid may be supplied to all the cylinders 53 simultaneously to force the pistons 56 against the respective pistons 44 to bring the holder 22 into a central predetermined position in which the workpieces W1, W2 are aligned for the actual welding step. Electrical probe means 76, 77 may be provided for measuring the speed and or phase of the workpiece holder 22 and of the rotor 17 of the distributor valve 15. The orbital motion may be other than circular, e.g. elliptical or figure of eight.