GB1439277A - Inertial friction welding - Google Patents

Abstract

1439277 Welding by pressure PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY Inc 4 Sept 1973 [5 Sept 1972] 41579/73 Heading B3R In inertial friction welding, the relative axial movement between the workpieces after initial engagement is continuously monitored to determine the upset, the actual upset is continuously compared with an upset range known to provide an effective weld, the relative speed of rotation between the workpieces and the axial pressure under which they are engaged are similarly continuously monitored and compared with ranges known to provide an effective weld and if the upset, speed or pressure fall outside their ranges the welding process is interrupted. An inertial welding machine 11 has a rotatable spindle 13 in a frame 12 and a non-rotatable spindle in a movable tailstock 14. The spindle 13 carries a replaceable flywheel 18 and is rotated by an hydraulic motor 19 supplied from an hydraulic power source 21 and the tailstock is driven by an hydraulic ram 22. The hydraulic source 21 and the ram 22 are regulated by an automatic control assembly at 28 with an electrical power source 29 including manually operated switches to initiate and terminate welding operations. Transducers 31, 32 and 33 monitor axial upset, relative rotating speed of the workpiece and axial pressure between the workpieces and signals therefrom are conditioned by analog to digital converters 34, 36, 37 and a computer input logic interface 38 for transmission to a digital computer 39. A signal corresponding to each of the monitored conditions is instantaneously displayed on an oscilloscope 41 and a permanent record is provided by digital tape recorder, typewriter or digital recorder and a computer output logic interface 43 operates lamps 44, 46 and 57 to provide instantaneous indication of quality. The computer 39 can interrupt operation of the machine when operating parameters indicate an unsatisfactory weld. Information including time of commencement of welding, time at which upset pressure is developed and time at which weld is completed is delivered to the computer 39 and may be used to reset or adjust the machine control for a new operation. The shield 61 of the oscilloscope has dashed lines 62, 63, 64 which indicate an acceptable range for signals corresponding to speed, upset and pressure.