JP2013212540A - Friction stir working device and method for reproducing tool for friction stir working - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the exchange frequency of a tool upon friction stir working, by restoring a shape of the tool even if wear or the like of the tool is generated and by reproducing the shape provided before the wear or the like is generated.SOLUTION: A friction stir working device 1 includes a tool reproduction mechanism 5 to grind, by a grinding wheel 51, a tip part of a tool 20 having wear or the like caused by friction stir working. The grinding wheel 51 is formed in a circular shape, and at a circumferential part of the grinding wheel 51 for grinding the tool 20, a recessed groove 51a of a cross-sectional recessed shape, which substantially equal to a cross-sectional projecting shape at the tip part of the tool 20, is continuously formed on the entire circumference thereof. Then, while rotating the tool 20, the tool reproduction mechanism 5 rotates the grinding wheel 51 to grind the tip part of the tool 20. Thereby, it is possible to restore a shape of the tool 20 to reproduce the shape provided before the wear and deformation or the like are caused by the friction stir working, and the same tool 20 can be used for the friction stir working once more.

Description

  The present invention relates to a friction stir processing apparatus including a friction stir processing tool regeneration mechanism and a method for regenerating the friction stir processing tool.

  As a metal material joining method, friction stirring is performed by rotating a tool made of die steel such as SKD steel, cemented carbide or ceramics at high speed and pressing the tool against the work material, and softening the work material by the frictional heat to stir and join. Joining (FSW) is performed. In addition, using the above tools, friction stir modification (FSP) for improving the strength and hardness of the workpiece surface and friction point joining (FSJ) for spot welding the workpiece are also performed. Stir welding is generically called friction stir processing.

  In this friction stir processing, since the tool performs processing by heat generated by friction with the work material, the tool is required to have a material with higher physical properties such as hardness, melting point, and wear resistance than the work material. Tool steel such as SKD steel is mainly used for joining low-melting-point work materials such as steel. On the other hand, when joining workpieces made of iron-based high melting point materials, ceramic or super steel alloy tools are used, but ceramic tools are easily damaged, and super steel alloy tools are short. Easily wear and deform over time. Therefore, conventionally, a tool holder that allows the tool to be attached and detached is formed so that the tool holder can be reused, and the cost of friction stir welding is reduced by manufacturing and replacing only the tool with wear-resistant material. (Patent Document 1), and a technique in which the probe of the tool is made a separate body and the shoulder portion and the probe of the tool are made separate so that the probe and the shoulder portion can be exchanged to reduce the cost (Patent Document 2) ) Has been proposed.

JP 2006-212657 A JP 2008-36664 A

  However, in any of the techniques, it is necessary to frequently perform replacement work such as removal and attachment of tools and the like, which is complicated. In particular, when joining workpieces made of iron-based refractory materials, even if a tool made of super steel alloy is used, the tool is easily worn and deformed in a short time, and it is necessary to change the tool frequently. It was. For this reason, the processing is interrupted for a long time by the tool replacement work, and the processing cost is high.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when a tool is worn, etc., a friction stir processing device that can reduce the frequency of tool replacement by restoring the shape before the wear and the like to regenerate the tool. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for regenerating a tool for friction stir processing.

The friction stir processing apparatus according to the present invention is:
A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool that performs friction stir processing by pressing a tip while rotating a metal material to be processed,
A tool regeneration mechanism is provided for grinding the tip of a tool worn by friction stir processing with a grindstone.
According to this configuration, even if the tip of the tool for friction stir processing is worn, deformed, or the work material adheres, the tool tip is worn, deformed or ground by friction stir processing by grinding. It can be restored to its original shape before being attached. Therefore, since the same tool can be used again, the replacement frequency of the tool can be reduced.

The tool regeneration mechanism is preferably configured to rotate the grindstone to grind the tip of the tool.
According to this structure, the front-end | tip part of the tool for friction stir processing can be ground with a rotating grindstone, and it can reproduce | regenerate immediately.

It is preferable that the tool is formed so that a probe protrudes at the center of the tip, and the probe is formed to become narrower toward the tip.
According to this configuration, it is difficult to break even when the probe hits the workpiece during processing or when the probe is moved while being buried in the workpiece during processing. Furthermore, a grindstone for grinding a probe that is worn, deformed, or has a workpiece adhered thereto by friction stir processing can be made into a simple shape that is easy to manufacture.

The grindstone of the tool regeneration mechanism is formed in a circular shape, and a concave groove having a concave cross section that substantially matches the cross sectional convex shape of the tool front end is entirely formed on the circumferential portion of the grindstone that grinds the tool front end. It is preferably formed continuously around the circumference.
According to this configuration, the tool tip is brought into contact with the circumferential portion of the rotating grindstone and ground, so that the tool tip is worn, deformed by friction stir processing, or shaped before the workpiece is attached. Simple and quick restoration and reproduction can be performed.

It is preferable that the tool regeneration mechanism is configured to grind the tip of the tool by rotating the grindstone while rotating the tool.
According to this configuration, the tool can be restored to the shape before being worn, deformed, or adhered to the workpiece and regenerated by grinding in a shorter time.

The tool regeneration mechanism is preferably configured to grind the tool in an atmosphere of cold air and / or mist.
According to this structure, the roughness of a grinding surface can be made small by interposing cold air and / or mist, and a tool can be ground smoothly and efficiently.

In addition, other friction stir processing apparatus according to the present invention,
A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool that performs friction stir processing by pressing a tip while rotating a metal material to be processed,
A tool regeneration mechanism is provided for cutting the tip of a tool worn by friction stir processing with a tool.
According to this configuration, even if the tip of the tool for friction stir processing is worn, deformed, or the workpiece is attached, the tip of the tool is worn, deformed, or processed by friction stir processing by cutting. It can be restored to its original shape before being attached. Therefore, since the same tool can be used again, the replacement frequency of the tool can be reduced.

The tool may be formed so that a probe protrudes in the center of the tip, and the probe is formed to become narrower toward the tip.
According to this configuration, it is difficult to break even when the probe hits the workpiece during processing or when the probe is moved while being buried in the workpiece during processing. Furthermore, even if the probe is worn, deformed, or adheres to the workpiece due to friction stir processing, the probe is easily worn, deformed, or the workpiece adheres according to the cutting tool as the tool regeneration mechanism. It is possible to restore and restore the shape before the equalization.

In addition, the method for regenerating the friction stir processing tool according to the present invention includes:
A method for regenerating a friction stir processing tool worn by friction stir processing,
The tip of the tool is ground by rotating the grindstone while rotating the tool.
According to this method, the tip of the tool for friction stir processing can be ground in a short time, and the tool tip can be restored to the shape before being worn, deformed, or adhered to the workpiece by friction stir processing in a short time. Can be played.

In addition, a method for regenerating another friction stir processing tool according to the present invention is as follows.
A method for regenerating a friction stir processing tool worn by friction stir processing,
The tip of the tool is cut with a tool while rotating the tool.
According to this method, the tip of the tool for friction stir processing can be cut in a short time, and the tool tip can be restored to the shape before being worn, deformed, or adhered to the workpiece by friction stir processing in a short time. Can be played.

  According to the present invention, even if the tip of the friction stir processing tool is worn and deformed by friction stir processing, or the work material adheres, the tool tip is worn, deformed or ground by friction stir processing by grinding or cutting. Since the workpiece can be restored to its original shape before being adhered, etc., the same tool can be used again for the friction stir processing. Therefore, the tool replacement frequency can be reduced. In addition, the cost associated with friction stir processing can be kept low.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the friction stirring processing apparatus by embodiment. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a tool grinding apparatus as a tool regeneration mechanism provided in a friction stir processing apparatus as Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the tool with which the friction stirring processing apparatus is mounted | worn, the figure (a) is a perspective view of a tool, and the figure (b) is the side view. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which has arrange | positioned the tool grinding apparatus so that the direction where the joining line of a workpiece | work extends, and the rotation direction of a grindstone may correspond. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the spacer in a tool holder and hold | maintained the tool. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the shape of a tool and a grindstone. In Embodiment 2, it is sectional drawing to which the part of the tool cutting device as a tool reproduction | regeneration mechanism with which a friction stir processing apparatus is equipped was expanded.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, a friction stir processing apparatus for friction stir welding of two flat plates, which includes a tool regeneration mechanism, is shown.
(Friction stir processing equipment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the friction stir processing apparatus 1 includes a processing mechanism 2 that performs friction stir processing on the workpieces W <b> 1 and W <b> 2 on the base 7 for arranging the workpieces W <b> 1 and W <b> 2, and a processing mechanism 2. A tool grinding device 5 provided with a grindstone 51 is provided as a tool regeneration mechanism for regenerating the tool 20.

  On the base 7, two flat workpieces W <b> 1 and W <b> 2 are arranged on the backing jig 4. The workpiece W1 and the workpiece W2 are fixed so that a joining line 31 that abuts the workpiece W1 and the workpiece W2 is positioned at the center of the backing jig 4 by a workpiece presser 6 provided on the backing jig 4. In the case where the workpieces W1 and W2 are high melting point materials such as iron-based alloys, ceramics and the like are preferably used, but are not limited thereto.

(Processing mechanism)
The processing mechanism 2 includes a tool 20 that is detachably attached to a lower end portion via a tool holder 3. The tool 20 has a D-cut surface 24 on the side surface, and a fixing bolt 8 is brought into contact with the D-cut surface 24 and is detachably fixed to the tool holder 3 (see FIG. 2). The tool holder 3 may be detachably attached. The tool holder 3 is connected to a tool rotation motor 23, and the tool 20 is rotated together with the tool holder 3 by driving the tool rotation motor 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the tool 20 is formed in a columnar shape, the tip of the shoulder 22 abuts against the workpieces W1 and W2, and the probe protruding from the tip of the shoulder 22. 21. The front end surface of the shoulder 22 is generally formed in a flat or concave shape so that the joining material plastically fluidized during the joining operation of the workpieces W1 and W2 is not discharged to the outside, but is not limited thereto.

  The probe 21 protrudes on the rotation axis of the tool 20 at a substantially central portion of the shoulder 22 surface. The tip of the probe 21 is gradually narrowed from the shoulder 22 surface. The shape of the probe 21 is hemispherical (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), but may be various shapes such as a tapered truncated cone shape. Thus, if the probe 21 is tapered, the probe 21 is strong against impact when it hits the workpieces W1 and W2 while rotating, and breaks when moving on the joint line 31 of the workpieces W1 and W2 while rubbing by rotation. Further, there is an advantage that the shape of the grindstone 51 that grinds the probe 21 that has been worn away by the workpiece joining operation can be made into a simple shape that is easy to manufacture. The protruding height of the probe 21 from the shoulder 22 is usually about 0.2 mm shorter than the thickness of the workpieces W1 and W2 so that the probe 21 does not contact the backing jig 4 during the joining operation.

  As the material of the tool 20, when the workpieces W1 and W2 are high melting point materials such as iron-based alloys, it is preferable to use cemented carbide from the viewpoint of heat resistance and wear resistance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a tool 20 made of various materials such as ceramics may be used. Moreover, you may use the tool 20 of the metal material which has high hardness (for example, Vickers hardness 400 or more) at high temperature (for example, 800 degreeC or more).

  The machining mechanism 2 can move the slider 80 to which the slider 80 is attached in parallel to the base 7 by a linear motion guide 81 and a moving motor 82. The machining mechanism 2 is provided with a lifting motor 84. It is movable up and down with respect to the base 7 by a lifting mechanism 83 provided.

(Tool playback mechanism)
The tool grinding device 5 as a tool regeneration mechanism is disposed on one side on the base 7 adjacent to the backing jig 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the tool grinding device 5 is provided with a grindstone 51 on the outer peripheral portion of the grindstone support plate 52 in order to grind the tip of the deformed tool 20 to restore and restore the original shape. ing. In the circumferential portion of the outer periphery of the grindstone 51, a concave groove 51a having a concave cross section substantially matching the cross sectional convex shape of the tip portion of the tool 20 by the shoulder 22 and the probe 21 is continuously formed all around. As the grindstone 51, a diamond grindstone or the like is preferably used so that the tool 20 can be ground smoothly. However, the grindstone 51 is not limited to this, and for example, cubic boron nitride (CBN) such as borazon. Etc. may be used.

  A grindstone support plate 52 on which the grindstone 51 is disposed is connected to a grindstone rotating motor 53 via a rotating shaft 58 or the like by a grindstone mounting bolt 59. The grindstone 51 is rotated by the grindstone rotating motor 53 when the tip of the tool 20 is ground for tool regeneration.

  Further, the tool grinding device 5 is provided with a mist supply nozzle (not shown) for supplying mist to the periphery of the grindstone 51 together with cold air when the tool 20 is ground. Thus, by supplying cold air and mist during tool grinding, the roughness of the grinding surface can be reduced and the tool 20 can be ground smoothly and efficiently. Note that only mist may be supplied when the tool 20 is ground, or only cold air may be supplied.

  The grindstone 51 is covered with a cover 54. The cover 54 is provided with a tool insertion port 56 for placing the tool 20 on the upper surface and a discharge port 57 for discharging grinding scraps and the like on the lower surface. . Therefore, the cover 54 prevents grinding scraps generated from the tool 20 and the grindstone 51, mist supplied from the mist supply nozzle, and the like from being scattered to the outside when the tool 20 is ground. Further, grinding scraps generated during grinding are discharged to the outside from the lower discharge port 57 together with the mist supplied during grinding. Further, the rotary shaft 58 connected to the grindstone support plate 52 is fitted with a seal 55 provided between the rotary shaft 58 and the cover 54, so that grinding scraps, mist, etc. in the cover 54 are rotated. It is designed not to enter the side.

Below, joining operation | work of the workpiece | work W1, W2 by the friction stir processing apparatus 1 which has the said structure, and reproduction | regeneration operation of the tool 20 are demonstrated.
(Joining operation)
Referring to FIG. 1, when joining workpieces W <b> 1 and W <b> 2, a workpiece W <b> 1 and a workpiece W <b> 1 fixed on backing jig 4 are tool 20 rotated at high speed (for example, about 500 rpm to 3000 rpm) by rotating motor 23. Press against one end of the joining line 31 of W2. If it does so, the probe 21 of the tool 20 front-end | tip part will be pressed in the state rotated at high speed to the joining line 31, and the workpiece | work W1, W2 around the joining line 31 will soften by the generated frictional heat. Since the tool 20 is pressed against the joining line 31 with a strong force, the probe 21 at the tip of the tool 20 eventually immerses in the workpieces W1 and W2 around the softened joining line 31. Subsequently, the tool 20 is moved to the other end by the tool moving motor 82 and the linear motion guide 81 along the joining line 31 while maintaining pressure and rotation. The workpieces W1 and W2 near the tool 20 are continuously plastically fluidized by frictional heat, and the vicinity of the joining line 31 of the workpieces W1 and W2 is joined by friction stirring.

  By the way, as a result of the above joining operation, the tool 20 is subjected to a strong pressing force and repeatedly undergoes a rapid temperature change due to frictional heat, so that the tip portion is worn or deformed, or a softened workpiece is adhered. Even when the cemented carbide tool 20 is used for the iron-based refractory metal workpieces W1 and W2, for example, when the workpieces W1 and W2 are joined, for example, the temperature of the contact portion between the tool 20 and the workpieces W1 and W2 Since the temperature reaches about 800 to about 1000 ° C., the tip of the tool 20 is worn or deformed due to insufficient hardness at a high temperature, and in some cases, it is lost. As a result, good bonding becomes difficult and the yield of the product is reduced. Further, even when the non-processed material adheres to the tip portion of the tool 20, it is difficult to achieve good bonding, and the yield of the product is reduced.

(Playback operation)
Therefore, in the friction stir processing apparatus 1, when the tip of the tool 20 is worn, deformed, or a work material adheres due to repeated joining operations, the tool 20 is regenerated by the tool grinding apparatus 5 as a tool regenerating mechanism.
When the tool 20 is regenerated, the deformed tool 20 is moved to the upper part of the tool grinding device 5, and the tool 20 is inserted and arranged in the tool insertion port 56 on the upper surface of the cover 54 and brought into contact with the grindstone 51 of the tool grinding device 5. (See FIG. 2). At this time, the mist is supplied together with the cold air from the mist supply nozzle toward the contact portion where the tip of the tool 20 and the grindstone 51 come into contact. And while rotating the tool 20 in this state, the grindstone 51 of the tool grinding apparatus 5 is rotated and the front-end | tip part of the tool 20 is ground. A concave groove 51a having a concave cross-section that substantially matches the cross-sectional convex shape of the tip of the tool 20 including the probe 21 is continuously formed around the circumference of the grindstone 51. By the grinding, the probe 21 and the shoulder 22 at the tip of the tool 20 are restored to a shape before being worn, deformed, or adhered to the workpiece by a workpiece joining operation and reproduced.

In the above regenerating operation, the peripheral speed of the grindstone 51 is set to about 25 to 80 m / sec in the case of CBN (regular boron nitride) or diamond grindstone, but is not limited thereto. Thus, when the grinding is performed by rotating the grindstone 51 while the tool 20 is rotated, the tool 20 can be smoothly ground without being broken. Note that the rotation speed of the tool 20 at the time of reproduction is set to an optimum rotation speed for grinding in consideration of the type of the grindstone 51, the peripheral speed of the grindstone 51, and the like. Usually, the rotational speed of the tool 20 is set to be relatively slow so that the shape of the tip portion is not asymmetrical. For example, the rotational speed of the tool 20 is preferably set to about 100 rpm, but is not limited thereto. Further, by arranging the joining line 31 that abuts the work W1 and the work W2 and the center of the cross-sectional direction of the grindstone 51 in the same straight line, the tool 20 can be moved up and down and moved in the direction of the joining line 31. Since it can grind with the grindstone 51 of the tool grinding apparatus 5, the tool 20 can be reproduced | regenerated easily.
Using the tool 20 regenerated by the above operation, the above-described joining operation can be performed satisfactorily again.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the tool grinding device 5 is disposed on the base 7 so that the direction in which the joining line 31 of the workpieces W1 and W2 extends and the rotation direction of the grindstone 51 coincide with each other, Since the grindstone 51 can be used for grinding even in a state where the advance angle θ is maintained, the regenerating operation of the tool 20 can be facilitated. The advance angle θ of the tool 20 is preferably set in the range of 2 to 5 degrees, for example, but is not limited thereto.

  Although the tool 20 is slightly shortened by grinding, the tool 20 during the joining operation is controlled by the control means (not shown) so that the position of the tool 20 or the applied pressure from the tool 20 to the workpieces W1 and W2 is controlled to be constant. Since it is pressed against the workpieces W1 and W2, the joining operation is not hindered. If the length of the tool 20 becomes so short that the joining operation becomes impossible by repeating the above reproduction, the worn tool 20 is removed from the tool holder 3 and replaced with a new tool 20. If the length of the tool 20 is shortened by repeating the above reproduction, a spacer 31 is inserted into the base end portion 25 of the tool 20 in the tool holder 3 as shown in FIG. The position may be adjusted.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, another embodiment of the tool regeneration mechanism in the friction stir processing apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the tool 20 whose tip is deformed is regenerated by the tool cutting device 8 as a tool regenerating mechanism. In this tool cutting device 8, a cutting tool 60 is disposed in a cover 54, and the cutting tool 60 is movable in the X direction and the Z direction by a driving means (not shown). The cover 54 is formed so as to be able to accommodate the cutting tool 60, the driving means of the cutting tool 60, and the like. The cover 54 basically has the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, when the workpieces W1 and W2 are high melting point materials such as iron-based alloys, the tool 20 is a metal having a high hardness (for example, Vickers hardness of 400 or more) at a high temperature (for example, 800 ° C. or more). Although it is suitable when manufactured, it is not limited to this, It can use for reproduction | regeneration of the tool 20 of various materials.

  When the tool 20 is regenerated, the deformed tool 20 is moved to the upper part of the tool cutting device 8, the tool 20 is inserted into the tool insertion port 56 on the upper surface of the cover 54, and then the cutting tool 60 is moved to the tip of the tool 20. (See FIG. 7). At this time, the cutting water is supplied from the cutting water supply nozzle (not shown) toward the contact portion where the tip of the tool 20 and the cutting tool 60 come into contact, but only the cooling air may be supplied. Then, while rotating the tool 20 in this state, the tip of the tool 20 is brought into contact with the cutting tool 60 of the tool cutting device 8 for cutting. The cutting tool 60 has a cross-sectional protrusion before the tip of the tool 20 including the probe 21 is deformed in the X direction (radial direction with respect to the tool 20) and the Z direction (height direction with respect to the tool 20) during cutting. Move so that it matches the shape of the mold. At this time, the cutting tool 60 may be automatically moved by numerical control. By the above operation, the probe 21 and the shoulder 22 at the tip of the tool 20 are restored to the shape before being worn, deformed, or attached to the workpiece by the workpiece joining operation, and are regenerated.

During the regenerating operation, the rotation speed of the tool 20 is set to an optimum rotation speed for cutting in consideration of the material of the tool 20 and the material of the cutting tool 60. For example, when the cutting tool 60 is a cemented carbide tool, for example, the rotational speed of the tool 20 is set to about 10 to 15 m / min at the contact portion with the cutting tool 60, but is not limited thereto. Thereby, when cutting while rotating the tool 20, it is possible to smoothly cut the tool 20 without damaging it.
Using the tool 20 regenerated by the above operation, the above-described joining operation can be performed satisfactorily again.

  According to the friction stir processing apparatus 1 according to each of the first and second embodiments described above, the tool grinding is performed even if the probe 21 and the shoulder 22 at the distal end portion of the tool 20 are worn, deformed, or the workpiece is adhered due to the joining operation. Since it is regenerated by the device 5 or the tool cutting device 8, it is not necessary to replace the tool 20 each time, and the replacement frequency of the tool 20 can be greatly reduced. Further, the total time required for exchanging the tool 20 is shortened, and the joining operation can be performed efficiently. The cost associated with friction stir processing can also be kept low.

In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the friction stir processing device according to the present invention, the tool 20 is automatically moved to the tool grinding device 5 or the tool cutting device 8 for reproduction after performing a predetermined number of times of joining operations set in advance. Also good. Alternatively, the tool 20 may be monitored by an image sensor, and when a deformation or the like is observed in the shape of the tool 20, the tool 20 may be automatically moved to the tool grinding device 5 or the tool cutting device 8 for reproduction.

  In addition, a plurality of tools 20 are provided as in an automatic tool change system of a machining center, and while the tool 20 is being regenerated by the tool grinding device 5 or the tool cutting device 8, a workpiece joining operation is performed by the processing mechanism 2 including the other tools 20. You may be able to perform. In this case, the time required for exchanging the tool 20 is further shortened and the joining operation can be performed efficiently.

  The shoulder 22 at the tip of the tool 20 is not limited to a flat shape, and may be a concave shape that is often used in friction stir welding. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential portion of the grindstone 51 in the tool grinding device 5 (see FIG. 2) corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the tip portion of the tool 20 on the shoulder 22. The corresponding part is convex, the part corresponding to the probe 21 is concave, and grinding is performed while the tool 20 is rotated. Therefore, the diameter of the grindstone 51 is also set to the outer diameter on which the concave shoulder 22 is formed. Is set. In the tool cutting device 8 (see FIG. 7), the cutting may be performed while moving the cutting tool 60 along the tip shape of the tool 20.

  Also, as the workpieces W1 and W2, a die steel such as SKD steel is often used as the tool 20 for joining low melting point materials such as aluminum alloys. However, when the workpiece joining operation is repeated, the tool 20 becomes worn. Deformation or work material may adhere. Even in such a case, the tool 20 can be regenerated by the tool grinding apparatus 5 described above. In this case, a normal grindstone is preferably used as the grindstone 51 of the tool grinding apparatus 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. Moreover, at the time of reproduction | regeneration with a normal grindstone, although it is preferable that the peripheral speed of the grindstone 51 is set to about 20-40 m / sec, it is not restricted to this. In the case of joining low melting point materials such as aluminum alloys, it is preferable to use an iron-based material as the backing jig 4, but the invention is not limited to these.

1 Friction stir processing device 2 Processing mechanism 3 Tool holder 5 Tool grinding device (tool regeneration mechanism)
8 Tool cutting device (tool regeneration mechanism)
20 Tool 21 Probe 22 Shoulder 51 Grinding wheel 51a Groove 60 Cutting tool

The friction stir processing apparatus according to the present invention is:
A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool that performs friction stir processing by pressing a tip while rotating a metal material to be processed,
The tip of the tool has a symmetrical outer shape with respect to the rotation axis,
A tool regeneration mechanism is provided for grinding the tip of a tool worn by friction stir processing with a grindstone.
According to this configuration, even if the tip of the tool for friction stir processing is worn, deformed, or the work material adheres, the tool tip is worn, deformed or ground by friction stir processing by grinding. It can be restored to its original shape before being attached. Therefore, since the same tool can be used again, the replacement frequency of the tool can be reduced.
The tool regenerating mechanism is preferably configured to rotate the tool and grind the tip of the tool, and according to this configuration, the tool regenerating mechanism can be immediately regenerated by grinding the tip of the tool for friction stir processing. it can.

In addition, other friction stir processing apparatus according to the present invention,
A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool that performs friction stir processing by pressing a tip while rotating a metal material to be processed,
The tip of the tool has a symmetrical outer shape with respect to the rotation axis,
A tool regeneration mechanism is provided for cutting the tip of a tool worn by friction stir processing with a tool.
According to this configuration, even if the tip of the tool for friction stir processing is worn, deformed, or the workpiece is attached, the tip of the tool is worn, deformed, or processed by friction stir processing by cutting. It can be restored to its original shape before being attached. Therefore, since the same tool can be used again, the replacement frequency of the tool can be reduced.

In addition, the method for regenerating the friction stir processing tool according to the present invention includes:
A method for regenerating a friction stir processing tool worn by friction stir processing,
The tip of the tool has a symmetrical outer shape with respect to the rotation axis,
The tip of the tool is ground by rotating the grindstone while rotating the tool.
According to this method, the tip of the tool for friction stir processing can be ground in a short time, and the tool tip can be restored to the shape before being worn, deformed, or adhered to the workpiece by friction stir processing in a short time. Can be played.

In addition, a method for regenerating another friction stir processing tool according to the present invention is as follows.
A method for regenerating a friction stir processing tool worn by friction stir processing,
The tip of the tool has a symmetrical outer shape with respect to the rotation axis,
The tip of the tool is cut with a tool while rotating the tool.
According to this method, the tip of the tool for friction stir processing can be cut in a short time, and the tool tip can be restored to the shape before being worn, deformed, or adhered to the workpiece by friction stir processing in a short time. Can be played.

Claims (10)

A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool that performs friction stir processing by pressing a tip while rotating a metal material to be processed,
A friction stir processing apparatus including a tool regeneration mechanism for grinding a tip portion of a tool worn by friction stir processing with a grindstone. In the friction stir processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The tool regeneration mechanism is a friction stir processing apparatus configured to grind a tip portion of a tool by rotating a grindstone. In the friction stir processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The tool is a friction stir processing apparatus in which a probe protrudes from the center of the tip, and the probe is formed to become narrower toward the tip. In the friction stir processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The grindstone of the tool regeneration mechanism is formed in a circular shape, and a concave groove having a concave cross section that substantially matches the cross sectional convex shape of the tool front end is entirely formed on the circumferential portion of the grindstone that grinds the tool front end. A friction stir processing device that is continuously formed around the circumference. In the friction stir processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The tool regeneration mechanism is a friction stir processing apparatus configured to grind a tip portion of a tool by rotating a grindstone while rotating the tool. In the friction stir processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The tool regeneration mechanism is a friction stir processing apparatus configured to grind a tool in an atmosphere of cold air and / or mist. A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool that performs friction stir processing by pressing a tip while rotating a metal material to be processed,
A friction stir processing apparatus provided with a tool regenerating mechanism that cuts the tip of a tool worn by friction stir processing with a tool. In the friction stir processing apparatus according to claim 7,
The tool is a friction stir processing apparatus in which a probe protrudes from the center of the tip, and the probe is formed to become narrower toward the tip. A method for regenerating a friction stir processing tool worn by friction stir processing,
A method for regenerating a tool for friction stir processing, wherein the tool is rotated while a grindstone is rotated to grind the tip of the tool. A method for regenerating a friction stir processing tool worn by friction stir processing,
A method for regenerating a tool for friction stir processing, in which a tool tip is cut with a tool while rotating the tool.

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