JP5086845B2 - Friction stir welding equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a friction stir welding apparatus.

  A friction stir welding (FSW = Friction Stir Welding) device is known as a device for joining metal members that are metal elements. Friction stir welding is a process of rotating a rotating tool along the abutting portion between metal members, and plastically flowing the metal at the abutting portion by frictional heat between the rotating tool and the metal member, so that the metal members are solid-phased. It is what is joined. In general, the rotating tool is formed by protruding a stirring pin (probe) on the lower end surface of a cylindrical shoulder portion.

  By the way, the friction stir welding is a joining method in which the rotating tool is rotated and moved along the abutting portion between the metal members as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to firmly fix the metal members in a state of abutting each other.

Therefore, conventionally, using a jig such as a clamp, the metal members are brought into contact with each other and fastened to the support base.
Moreover, what is provided with the pressure roller comprised so that the abutting part of metal members may be pressed down from the upper surface ahead of the advancing direction of a rotary tool is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

According to the friction stir welding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the abutting surfaces of the metal members can be directly pressed from above by the pressure roller, and the lifting at the abutting portion can be prevented.
Japanese Patent No. 3327327

In the friction stir welding apparatus using the pressure roller described above, it is preferable to press the upper surface of the abutting portion with the pressure roller at a position in the vicinity of the rotating tool in order to suitably prevent lifting at the abutting portion.
By the way, in general, when a product is produced using a friction stir welding apparatus, at least two rotary tools, a rotary tool for bonding and a rotary tool for deburring, are used as rotary tools. Is done. For this reason, at the time of production of the product, it is necessary to replace the rotating tool. Normally, the rotary tool is detachably attached to the main spindle unit on the apparatus side, and when the rotary tool is replaced, the rotary tool is attached to and detached from the main spindle unit.

  However, such a rotating tool replacement operation has the following problems. That is, in the state where the pressure roller is disposed close to the rotary tool as described above, the pressure roller interferes with the replacement, for example, when the rotary tool is replaced, the rotary tool interferes with the pressure roller. For this reason, there is a limitation in arranging the pressure roller close to the rotary tool. If the pressure roller is arranged as close as possible to the rotary tool in consideration of replacement of the rotary tool, the rotary roller can be attached and detached while avoiding interference between the rotary tool and the pressure roller during replacement work. Since it is necessary to proceed with the work carefully, there is a problem that the exchange work of the rotating tool becomes complicated.

  From such a viewpoint, the present invention can suitably hold the abutting portion, can perform friction stir welding between high-quality metal members, and can easily perform the replacement work of the rotary tool. It is an object of the present invention to provide a friction stir welding apparatus that can be used.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention that solves such a problem is a friction stir welding apparatus that joins the metal elements by moving a rotating tool along the abutting portion between the metal elements, A spindle unit configured to removably support the rotating tool and configured to be movable up and down with respect to the metal element, an arm suspended from the spindle unit, and a roller member provided at a lower end of the arm; Pressing means capable of pressing the upper surface of the abutting portion with the roller member in front of the moving direction of the rotary tool, and the pressing means can press the upper surface of the abutting portion, and at least the roller member There a retracted position away from the rotary tool, which is the posture capable of changing between the said arms, an upper arm attached to the spindle unit A lower arm supported rotatably at a lower portion of the upper arm, and the lower arm rotates with respect to the upper arm to be in the pressing posture or the retracted posture, and the retracted posture. The lower arm is inclined from the vertical axis in a direction in which the roller member approaches the rotating tool, and the arm is rotated by the lower arm from the pressing posture to the retracted posture by its own weight. It is characterized by changing .

  According to this friction stir welding apparatus, by setting the pressing means to the pressing posture, the friction stir welding can be performed while pressing the upper surface of the abutting portion with the roller member.

  In addition, when replacing the rotary tool, the space for replacement can be formed around the rotary tool by placing the pressing means in the retracted position so that the roller member is separated from the rotary tool. The rotation tool can be suitably attached and detached without interfering with the roller member or the like. Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the rotating tool.

Moreover, since a space for replacement can be formed around the rotating tool by setting the pressing means to the retracted posture, a device that can automatically replace the rotating tool in this space, for example, a rotating tool The support member provided in the automatic tool changer can be made to enter without interfering with the roller member, and the rotary tool can be changed automatically. As a result, the replacement time can be shortened compared to when the rotating tool is manually replaced, and the production efficiency of the product can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
The arm includes an upper arm attached to the spindle unit and a lower arm supported rotatably at a lower portion of the upper arm, and the lower arm rotates with respect to the upper arm. In the retracted position, the lower arm is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member approaches the rotary tool, so that the posture of the pressing means can be changed with a simple configuration in which the arm is rotatably provided. Can be easily realized.
Further, in the retracted posture, the lower arm is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member approaches the rotary tool, so that the posture can be smoothly changed from the retracted posture to the pressed posture.
That is, as described above, when the roller member comes into contact with the metal element in the process of lowering the spindle unit, the lower arm is further tilted from the tilted state and rotated in a direction approaching the rotary tool. It is possible to smoothly and easily change the posture of the pressing means accompanying the lowering.
In addition, since the arm changes its posture by rotating the lower arm from the pressed posture to the retracted posture due to its own weight, it has a simple configuration using the weight of the arm without providing a special mechanism for changing the posture. The posture can be changed from the pressed posture to the retracted posture.
Further, as described above, in the process in which the spindle unit is lowered, the roller member can be moved toward the rotating tool while the roller member is in good contact with the metal element due to its own weight, so that the retraction posture can be removed. The posture change to the pressing posture can be performed smoothly.
Further, in the process in which the spindle unit is raised, the roller member can be moved from the friction stirrer side to the front side in the moving direction while the roller member is in good contact with the metal element by its own weight. The posture change to the retracted posture can be performed smoothly.

  The pressing means may be configured to be in the retracted posture when the spindle unit is in a predetermined raised position, and to be in the pressed posture when the spindle unit is in a predetermined lowered position.

  According to this friction stir welding apparatus, the pressing unit is in the retracted posture by raising the spindle unit to a predetermined raised position, and a space for replacement can be formed around the rotary tool. Thereby, replacement | exchange of a rotary tool can be performed easily. Further, by lowering the spindle unit to a predetermined lowered position, the pressing means becomes a pressing posture, and the upper surface of the abutting portion can be pressed by the roller member. Thereby, friction stir welding of high-quality metal members can be performed.

  Further, the pressing means moves from the retracted position by moving the roller member toward the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element in a process in which the spindle unit is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position. The pressing posture is changed by changing the posture to the pressing posture and moving the roller member so as to be separated from the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element in the process in which the spindle unit is raised from the lowered position to the raised position. It is preferable to change the posture to the retracted posture.

  According to this friction stir welding apparatus, the posture of the pressing means can be changed in conjunction with the lifting and lowering operation of the spindle unit, and a friction stirring and welding apparatus in which the posture is automatically changed by the lifting and lowering operation of the spindle unit is obtained. .

  In addition, the pressing means is configured to move along the abutting portion with the movement of the rotating tool while maintaining the pressing posture, so that the roller member can be moved in conjunction with the movement of the rotating tool. Thus, high-quality metal members can be subjected to friction stir welding.

  Between the upper arm and the lower arm, there is provided a first stopper that restricts the lower arm from rotating beyond the retraction posture beyond the pressing posture more than necessary. Is good.

  According to this friction stir welding apparatus, the pressing posture is suitably maintained. For example, the friction stir welding can be performed while pressing the upper surface of the abutting portion with the roller member in the vicinity of the rotary tool. Therefore, high-quality metal members can be subjected to friction stir welding.

  Between the upper arm and the lower arm, there is provided a second stopper that restricts the lower arm from rotating beyond the pressing posture beyond the retracted posture more than necessary. Is good.

  According to this friction stir welding apparatus, the retracted posture is suitably maintained, and a space for replacement is suitably formed around the rotary tool. Thereby, attachment / detachment of the rotary tool can be suitably performed without interfering with the roller member or the like.

  Further, by providing the second stopper, the lower arm is held inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member approaches the rotary tool, and the posture change from the retracted posture to the pressing posture is further increased. It is possible to carry out surely and smoothly.

  An air nozzle is provided in the vicinity of the roller member, and the air nozzle preferably discharges air toward the abutting portion in the forward direction of the roller member.

  According to this friction stir welding apparatus, even if dust or chips exist at the abutting portion in the forward direction of the roller member, these can be blown away by the air discharged from the air nozzle, and the roller member It is possible to suitably prevent stepping on chips and the like. Therefore, friction stir welding of high quality metal elements can be performed.

The roller member may have a roller width that is smaller than a diameter of a shoulder portion of the friction stirrer.
According to this friction stir welding apparatus, the roller width can be made narrower than the burr interval that is likely to be formed on the upper surface of the abutting portion during friction stir welding, and the roller member steps on the burr when deburring after friction stir welding. Can be suitably prevented. Therefore, high-quality metal members can be subjected to friction stir welding.

  According to the present invention, the upper surface of the abutting portion can be suitably pressed, the friction stir welding of high-quality metal members can be performed, and the rotating tool can be replaced easily. A stir welding apparatus is obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. In the following embodiments, a flat metal member is exemplified as the metal element to be joined, but the metal member to be friction stir welded by the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. . In the following description, “front and rear” is based on the direction shown in FIG.
In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a view showing a main part of a friction stir welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a side view.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment moves the rotary tool 20 along the abutting portion TW between the metal members W (see FIG. 1B). The metal member W is friction stir welded, and includes a spindle unit 10 that supports the rotary tool 20 so as to be detachable and can be moved up and down with respect to the metal member W. Here, the rotating tool 20 shown in FIG. 1B is a rotating tool for joining used at the time of friction stir welding.

The spindle unit 10 is provided in a support facility of a friction stir welding apparatus installed on a factory floor (not shown), and is slidable along a butt portion TW of a metal member W fixedly supported on a support base (not shown). , And the metal member W can be moved up and down. Further, the spindle unit 10 is provided with a holder portion 11 for holding the rotary tool 20 at a lower portion thereof, and a rotation driving portion (not shown) for rotating the rotary tool 20 is provided therein.
The holder part 11 is fixed to a drive shaft of a rotation drive part (not shown) and is rotatably provided. The holder part 11 has an inner peripheral surface 12 having a truncated cone shape so that the rotary tool 20 can be attached and detached. A chuck mechanism (not shown in detail) that is fitted and held is provided. The rotary tool 20 is arranged so that its axis O2 coincides with a predetermined axis set in advance while being held by the chuck mechanism.

  The rotary tool 20 includes a frustoconical fitting portion 21 having a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface 12 of the holder portion 11, a gripping portion 22 provided below the fitting portion 21, and the gripping portion 22. The large diameter part 23 formed in the lower part of this, and the friction stirring part 24 as a tool formed in the lower end part of this large diameter part 23 are provided.

The fitting portion 21 has a truncated cone shape as described above, and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 12 of the holder portion 11 and is detachably held by a chuck mechanism (not shown).
The gripping part 22 is formed to bulge outward in the radial direction between the fitting part 21 and the large-diameter part 23, and a concave circumferential groove 22a extending in the entire circumferential direction is formed at the central part in the axial direction. ing. A support member 51 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) of an automatic changer 50, which will be described later, can be engaged with the circumferential groove 22a.
The large-diameter portion 23 is configured to have an outer diameter that is substantially the same size as the proximal end side (side closer to the gripping portion 22) of the fitting portion 21, and, as described above, a small-diameter friction at the lower end portion. A stirring unit 24 is formed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the friction stirrer 24 having a small diameter is formed at the lower end of the large diameter part 23. The roller member 32 to be described later can be arranged in the state where the roller member 32 described later approaches.

  In such a rotary tool 20, the grip portion 22 has a maximum outer diameter, and when the rotary tool 20 is attached to or detached from the holder portion 11, the rotary tool 20 can be pulled out under the holder portion 11 without difficulty. In a state where the pressing means 30 to be described later is in the retracted posture S2 (see FIGS. 2, 3B, and 4A), the holder unit 11 has at least an outer diameter corresponding to the grip portion 22 below. A space portion K having a size to be formed is formed.

  The friction stirrer 24 is made of a metal member harder than the metal member W, such as tool steel, and has a columnar shoulder portion 24a, and a stirring pin (probe) 24b protruding from the lower end surface of the shoulder portion 24a. It is configured with. The lower end surface of the shoulder portion 24a is a part that plays a role of pressing the plastic fluidized metal to prevent scattering to the surroundings, and in this embodiment, it is formed in a concave shape or the like. The stirring pin 24b is suspended from the center of the lower end surface of the shoulder portion 24a. In the present embodiment, the stirring pin 24b is formed in a tapered truncated cone shape, for example. A stirring blade engraved in a spiral shape is formed on the peripheral surface of the stirring pin 24b.

  The moving speed (feeding speed) of the rotary tool 20 is set according to the size and shape of the stirring pin 24b, the material of the metal member W or the like that is frictionally stirred, the thickness, and the like. When the rotary tool 20 is moved, the metal around the stirring pin 24b is sequentially plastically fluidized, and at the position away from the stirring pin 24b, the plastic fluidized metal is hardened again.

Next, the pressing means 30 that is a characteristic configuration of the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, the pressing means 30 is provided on the front surface 10 a of the spindle unit 10.
The pressing means 30 includes an arm 31 suspended from the spindle unit 10 and a roller member 32 rotatably supported at the lower end portion of the arm 31, and abuts on the front side in the moving direction of the rotary tool 20. The upper surface of the part TW is configured to be pressed by the roller member 32.
The pressing means 30 is a pressing that presses the upper surface of the abutting portion TW when the roller member 32 enters the space K (region) that interferes when the rotary tool 20 is attached / detached in the vicinity of the friction stirrer 24 described above. The roller member 32 is retracted to the posture (the posture shown in FIG. 1B, the same applies hereinafter) and the position away from the friction stirrer 24 (rotary tool 20) (outside position disengaged from the space K), and the spindle unit 10 The posture can be changed between a retracted posture S2 (a posture indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) that enables the rotary tool 20 to be attached and detached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 31 includes an upper arm 31A and a lower arm 31B, and the lower arm 31B can be rotated with respect to the upper arm 31A (a position closer to the rotary tool 20 and a rotary tool). And a position spaced from the position 20, which can be rotated along the abutting portion TW). That is, the state in which the lower arm 31B is positioned at the upper limit R1 of the rotation range (the state illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 2) is the pressing posture S1, and the lower arm 31B is moved to the lower limit R2 of the rotation range. The state (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) positioned at is the retracted posture S2.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the upper arm 31A is disposed on the front surface 10a of the spindle unit 10 so as to be positioned in the left-right direction by being surrounded by a mounting base 33 fixed by four bolts 33a. Further, the upper arm 31A is arranged in a state of being positioned in the vertical direction by bolts 33b respectively inserted into the two long holes 31a formed in the vertical direction.
In this embodiment, with the upper arm 31A fixed to the front surface 10a of the main spindle unit 10 in this way, the axis O1 passing through the center in the width direction of the roller member 32 and the rotation axis O2 of the rotary tool 20 are viewed from the front. (See FIG. 1 (a)).
A positioning bolt 33c for adjusting the height position of the upper arm 31A is provided above the upper arm 31A so as to be attached to the attachment base 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower arm 31B is rotatably provided to the upper arm 31A via a support shaft 36E that is a horizontal axis, and a roller member 32 is provided at the lower end thereof. The connecting portion 36 between the upper arm 31A and the lower arm 31B is provided with a first stopper 36a and a second stopper 36c for the arm 31 to hold the pressing posture S1 or the retracting posture S2. .

Here, the first stopper 36a is provided to hold the pressing posture S1, and the second stopper 36c is provided to hold the retracting posture S2.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the first stopper 36a is provided with a lower surface of a bulging portion 36A that bulges from the lower portion of the upper arm 31A toward the rear side. In this example, the coupling portion 36 is provided. Is parallel to a horizontal plane passing through the spindle 36E. The lower arm 31B is provided with an abutting portion 36b that abuts against the first stopper 36a. The abutting portion 36b protrudes downward from the upper portion of the lower arm 31B toward the rear side. Provided with an inclined surface of the protruding portion 36B. When the contact portion 36b comes into contact with the first stopper 36a, the lower arm 31B is held in the pressing posture S1, and the lower arm 31B is pressed from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1 (FIGS. 2, 3A, and 5C). 4 (c)) is restricted from rotating more than necessary beyond the position (see FIG. 3A).

Here, it is preferable that the roller member 32 is set so as to be positioned in the space portion K when the pressing posture S1 is set. Further, as illustrated in FIG. More preferably, it is set so as to be located around the friction stirrer 24 in the region.
Specifically, the pressing position of the roller member 32 (the distance from the center axis of the friction stirrer 24 (the axis O2 of the rotary tool 20) when the pressing posture S1 is set) is the radius of the roller member 32 and the friction stirrer 24. And a predetermined gap set in consideration of the inclination of the metal member W, etc., can be set as a total value. For example, the pressing position of the roller member 32 is preferably set to a distance that is in the range of 30 mm to 40 mm from the central axis of the friction stirrer 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the second stopper 36c is provided with a lower surface of a notch portion 36C formed by notching an upward slope at the lower portion of the upper arm 31A. In the lower arm 31B, a contact portion 36d that contacts the second stopper 36c is provided on the upper surface (step surface) of a step portion 36D formed on the upper portion of the lower arm 31B. When the contact portion 36d contacts the second stopper 36c, the lower arm 31B is held in the retracted posture S2 (see FIGS. 2, 3B, and 4A), and the lower arm 31B is Unnecessary rotation from the pressing posture S1 beyond the retracting posture S2 is restricted.

In the present embodiment, when the contact portion 36d contacts the second stopper 36c, the lower arm 31B is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member 32 approaches the rotary tool 20 in the retracted posture S2. (See FIG. 4A).
Here, the upper arm 31A and the lower arm 31B are made of a hard metal member, and at least the lower arm 31B is formed to have a considerable weight due to the metal member, and by its own weight, a pressing posture with the connecting portion 36 as a center. It is rotated from S1 to a retracted posture S2 so that the posture can be changed. That is, when the spindle unit 10 is raised and the roller member 32 is separated from the metal member W, the arm 31 is positioned at the lower limit R2 by the weight of the lower arm 31B (see FIG. 4A), and the second The state of being in contact with the stopper 36a (retracting posture S2) is held.

On the contrary, when the roller member 32 comes into contact with the metal member W in the process in which the main spindle unit 10 is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the lower arm 31B is in contact with the metal member W and the upper limit R1. The roller member 32 is moved toward the rotary tool 20 in conjunction with the rotation (turning). That is, the posture of the arm 31 is changed from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1.
As described above, in this embodiment, as the spindle unit 10 moves up and down, the posture of the arm 31 is automatically changed between the pressing posture S1 and the retracting posture S2.
In the process in which the spindle unit 10 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the lower arm 31B rotates (turns) toward the lower limit R1 while the roller member 32 is in contact with the metal member W, and in conjunction with this, The roller member 32 is separated from the rotary tool 20. That is, the posture of the arm 31 is changed from the pressing posture S1 to the retracting posture S2.

  Here, the roller member 32 is configured to press the upper surface of the abutting portion TW with a predetermined pressing force, as shown in FIG. That is, the roller unit 32 presses the upper surface of the abutting portion TW with a predetermined pressing force in a state where the spindle unit 10 is lowered to the predetermined lowering position and the arm 31 is held in the pressing posture S1, and the abutting portion The TW is pressed against the back washer Z so as not to be misaligned. The pressing force of the roller member 32 can be adjusted by positioning bolts 33c (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the mounting base 33. In addition, the roller member 32 may have a roller width L that is smaller than the diameter of the shoulder portion of the rotary tool 20.

  The arm 31 is provided with an air nozzle 37 in the vicinity of the roller member 32 of the lower arm 31B. The air nozzle 37 discharges air toward the abutting portion TW in the forward direction of the roller member 32 in the traveling direction. It is comprised so that it may discharge. The air nozzle 37 is supplied with air from a supply source (not shown) through the air tube 37 a, and the air tube 37 a is routed along the side of the arm 31. The air tube 37a may be routed along the inside of the arm 31.

Next, the effect | action at the time of the friction stir welding which concerns on the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the state where the spindle unit 10 is in the raised position, the roller member 32 is positioned above the metal member W and is not in contact with the metal member W. The lower arm 31B is positioned at the other lower limit R2 (see FIG. 2) by its own weight, and the pressing means 30 assumes the retracted posture S2.

  When the spindle unit 10 is lowered toward the lowered position in order to perform friction stir welding from such an elevated position, as shown in FIG. 4B, the roller member 32 is positioned on the upper surface of the metal member W, that is, The lower arm 31B abuts on the upper surface of the abutting portion TW and rotates (turns) toward the upper limit R1 while abutting on the metal member W. In conjunction with this, the roller member 32 moves toward the rotary tool 20.

  When the spindle unit 10 further descends from this state toward the lowered position (position where friction stir welding is performed), the lower arm 31B further rotates (turns) toward the upper limit R1 while contacting the metal member W, and rotates. The roller member 32 is brought close to the friction stirrer 24 of the tool 20.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the stirring pin 24b of the friction stirrer 24 of the rotary tool 20 is inserted into the joining start position of the abutting part TW with the main spindle unit 10 lowered to the lowered position and stopped. (Press-fit) and friction stir welding is started. At this time, in a state where the spindle unit 10 is lowered to the lowered position and stopped, the pressing means 30 is held in the pressing posture S1, and the roller member 32 is closest to the friction stirrer 24 (the vicinity). Position). Thus, the friction stir welding by the friction stirrer 24 is performed in a state where the roller member 32 suitably presses the upper surface of the abutting part TW at a position near the friction stirrer 24.

  In addition, although the metal member W showed the example arrange | positioned in the downward inclination shape toward the advancing direction (front direction) of the rotary tool 20, it is not restricted to this, Even if arrange | positioned in a substantially horizontal state Good.

Next, a procedure for manually exchanging the rotary tool 20 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the spindle unit 10 is raised to the raised position, and the pressing means 30 is held in the retracted posture S2. In a state where the pressing means 30 is held in the retracted posture S2, the roller member 32 is retracted to a position away from the position near the friction stirrer 24 (the space K described above), and outside the lower region of the rotary tool 20. Since the lower arm 31B and the roller member 32 are moved, an empty space is formed below the spindle unit 10, and the rotary tool 20 is replaced as shown in FIG. In this case, the rotary tool 20 can be removed from the spindle unit 10 and pulled down as it is.

Then, using the empty space below the spindle unit 10, as shown in FIG. 5C, for example, a deburring rotary tool 20 ′ is inserted into the spindle unit 10 from below and attached. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5D, the joining rotary tool 20 can be replaced with a deburring rotary tool 20 ′.
Since the replacement by the series of procedures as described above can be performed with the pressing means 30 held in the retracted posture S2, the lower arm 31B of the arm 31 and the roller member 32 interfere with each other when the rotary tool 20 or the like is attached or detached. There will be no obstacles. Accordingly, the replacement work can be performed smoothly and smoothly.

Thus, since the rotary tool 20 can be exchanged while the pressing means 30 is held in the retracted posture S2, an automatic changer (tool changer) 50 for the rotary tool 20 as described below with reference to FIG. It is also possible to configure so that the rotary tool 20 is automatically replaced by using.
Here, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the automatic changer 50 is a device for attaching and detaching various tools such as the rotary tools 20 and 20 ′ to and from the spindle unit 10, and the various tools. A plurality of support members 51 to be supported are rotatably provided.
Further, the spindle unit 10 is configured to be movable to such an automatic changer 50 and to be movable up and down.

  First, the spindle unit 10 is raised to a predetermined position corresponding to the automatic changer 50, and then the spindle unit 10 is horizontally moved to the automatic changer 50 side as shown in FIG. Here, the spindle unit 10 is set so as to be in the retracted posture S2 in a state where the spindle unit 10 is raised to a predetermined position, and the spindle unit is set to a height corresponding to the support member 51 of the automatic changer 50. Positioning is performed in advance so that the gripping portion 22 of the rotary tool 20 held by 10 is positioned.

  Therefore, when the spindle unit 10 is horizontally moved to the automatic changer 50 side, the support member 51 of the automatic changer 50 is engaged with the grip portion 22 of the rotary tool 20, and the rotary tool 20 is supported by the support member 51. It becomes a state.

  Next, a chuck mechanism (not shown) of the spindle unit 10 is released, and the spindle unit 10 is moved upward as shown in FIG. Then, the rotary tool 20 is removed from the main spindle unit 10, and is transferred to and supported by the support member 51. Thereafter, the spindle unit 10 is moved horizontally to the side away from the automatic exchange device 50, and the spindle unit 10 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the rotation operation of the automatic exchange device 50.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the automatic changer 50 is rotated by a predetermined amount, and the removed rotary tool 20 is moved to the downstream side in the rotational direction, and the rotary tool to be mounted next from the upstream side in the rotational direction. 20 'is moved to a predetermined position at the time of replacement (side on which the spindle unit 10 stands by).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, the spindle unit 10 is moved horizontally to the automatic changer 50 side while maintaining the raised state, and then moved downward to a position where the rotary tool 20 ′ is held. In this state, a chuck mechanism (not shown) is operated, and the rotary tool 20 ′ is mounted on the spindle unit 10.
After the rotary tool 20 ′ is mounted, the spindle unit 10 is horizontally moved again to the side away from the automatic changer 50, whereby the engagement between the support member 51 of the automatic changer 50 and the rotary tool 20 ′ is released. The rotating tool 20 ′ after replacement is held on the spindle unit 10.
Thereafter, the spindle unit 10 is moved to a predetermined position during the deburring process, and a desired deburring process is performed by the rotary tool 20 ′.

  As described above, by using the automatic changer 50, the tool can be automatically changed from the rotary tool 20 to the rotary tool 20 '.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an oil pipe H is attached to the spindle unit 10, and this oil pipe H is attached to and detached from the rotary tool 20 on the side where the rotary tool 20 is attached and detached. Are connected to the spindle unit 10 at a portion where no interference occurs. In this example, the oil pipe H is disposed so as not to protrude toward the support member 51 so that the oil pipe H does not interfere with the support member 51 of the automatic changer 50.

Further, the support member 51 of the automatic changer 50 is fixed to the fixing side of the apparatus with two fixing bolts 52. In this example, the fixing bolt 52 is tightened and the fixing bolt 52 is tightened. The head 52 is embedded in a hole formed in the support member 51.
Thereby, it is possible to suitably avoid the fixing bolt 52 from interfering with the spindle unit 10.

  According to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment described above, the pressing member 30 is configured such that the roller member 32 enters the region (space K) that interferes when the rotary tool 20 is attached / detached in the vicinity of the friction stirrer 24. Thus, the pressing posture S1 that can press the upper surface of the abutting portion TW, and the retreat enabling the detachment of the rotary tool 20 to and from the spindle unit 10 by retreating the roller member 32 outside the area that is separated from the rotary tool 20 and interferes. Since the posture can be changed between the posture S2 and, for example, when the friction stir welding is performed using the rotating tool 20 for joining, the pressing means 30 is set to the pressing posture S1, and the friction stirrer The roller member 32 can be disposed in the vicinity of 24, whereby the upper surface of the abutting portion TW can be pressed by the roller member 32 in the vicinity of the friction stirrer 24.Therefore, friction stir welding between the high-quality metal members W can be performed.

  Further, when the rotary tool 20 is replaced, the pressing means 30 is set in the retracted posture S2, and the roller member 32 is retracted outside the interfering area, so that the space tool K is included below the rotary tool 20 for replacement. Thus, the rotation tool 20 can be suitably attached and detached without interfering with the roller member 32 and the like. Therefore, it is easy to replace the rotary tool 20.

  In addition, by setting the pressing means 30 to the retracted position S2, a wide space for replacement is formed below the rotary tool 20, so that the rotary tool 20 can be automatically replaced in this space. The support member 51 of the possible automatic changer 50 can be entered without interfering with the roller member 32, and the rotary tool 20 can be changed automatically. Thereby, compared with the case where the rotary tool 20 is replaced | exchanged manually, shortening of replacement | exchange time can be aimed at, the production efficiency of a product can be improved, and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, since the pressing unit 30 is in the retracted posture S2 by raising the spindle unit 10 to the predetermined raised position, and the pressing unit 30 is in the pressing posture S1 by lowering the spindle unit 10 to the predetermined lowered position, the spindle unit The posture of the pressing means 30 can be changed easily and automatically in conjunction with the operation of raising and lowering 10. Accordingly, the mechanism for changing the posture is simplified and the configuration is simplified. This contributes to weight reduction and cost reduction.

  Further, the posture of the pressing means 30 can be easily changed by a simple configuration in which the arm 31 is rotatably provided, and the pressing means can be rotated by rotating the lower arm 31B to the upper limit R1 and the lower limit R2. Since 30 can be set to the pressing posture S1 or the retracting posture S2, an advantage that the posture can be easily changed is obtained.

  Further, since the lower arm 31B rotates by its own weight and the arm 31 changes its posture from the pressing posture S1 to the retracted posture S2, the lower arm 31B has its own weight without providing a special mechanism for changing the posture. It is possible to change the posture from the pressing posture S1 to the retracting posture S2 with a simple configuration using the.

Further, in the process of lowering the spindle unit 10, the lower arm 31B can be moved from the front side in the movement direction (lower limit R2) to the upper limit R1 while the roller member 32 is in contact with the metal member W due to its own weight, and the retracted posture S2 The posture can be smoothly changed from the pressure posture to the pressing posture S1.
Further, in the process in which the spindle unit 10 is raised, the lower arm 31B can be moved from the upper limit R1 to the lower limit R2 while the roller member 32 is in contact with the metal member W by its own weight, and the retracted attitude from the pressing attitude S1. The posture change to S2 can be performed smoothly.

Further, in the retracted posture S2, the lower arm 31B is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member 32 approaches the rotary tool 20, so that the posture change from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1 can be performed smoothly. .
That is, when the roller member 32 comes into contact with the metal element W in the process of lowering the spindle unit 10, the lower arm 31 </ b> B further tilts from the tilted state and rotates in a direction approaching the rotary tool 20. The posture of the pressing means 30 can be changed smoothly and easily along with the lowering of the pressure 10.

  Since the first and second stoppers 36a and 36c can be suitably held in the pressing posture S1 or the retracting posture S2, high-quality metal members W can be friction-stir joined and the rotary tool 20 can be used. Can be exchanged easily and reliably.

  In addition, since the oil pipe H attached to the spindle unit 10 is connected at a portion that does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the rotary tool 20 on the side of the spindle unit 10 where the rotary tool 20 is attached / detached, This does not get in the way and does not hinder the replacement work of the rotary tool 20. Further, since the oil pipe H is connected to the side on which the rotary tool 20 is attached / detached, problems such as the oil pipe H protruding and arranged on the side where the automatic changer 50 is installed can be avoided. Thus, a friction stir welding apparatus in which the rotary tool 20 can be automatically replaced corresponding to the automatic exchange apparatus 50 is obtained.

  Further, since the air nozzle 37 is provided in the vicinity of the roller member 32, even if dust or chips exist at the abutting portion TW in the forward direction of the roller member 32, these are removed from the air nozzle 37. It can be blown away by the discharged air, and the roller member 32 can be suitably prevented from stepping on chips and the like. Therefore, friction stir welding between the high-quality metal members W can be performed.

  Further, when the roller width L of the roller member 32 is smaller than the diameter of the shoulder portion 24a of the friction stirrer 24, the roller member 32 is larger than the burr interval that is easily formed on the upper surface of the abutting part TW at the time of friction stir welding. Since the roller width L becomes narrow, it is possible to suitably prevent the roller member 32 from stepping on the burr at the time of deburring. Therefore, friction stir welding between the high-quality metal members W can be performed.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 8A, also in the joining of the metal members W1 made of extruded sections having a hollow cross section, the position near the friction stirrer 24 (not shown) on the upper surface of the abutting part TW is set. The roller member 32 can be suitably pressed. Therefore, high-quality friction stir welding can be realized also in the joining of the metal members W1.
Further, also in the joining of the metal members W2 made of extruded shapes as shown in FIG. 8B, the position near the friction stirrer 24 (not shown) on the upper surface of the abutting part TW is suitably pressed by the roller member 32. can do. Therefore, high-quality friction stir welding can be realized also in the joining of such metal members W2. In this example, the cooling unit 60 is disposed below the abutting portion TW via the back washer Z. The cooling unit 60 includes a casing 61, a heat conducting part 62 accommodated in the casing 61, and a cooling pipe 63 routed inside the heat conducting part 62, and passes through the cooling pipe 63. The back washer Z is cooled by cooling the heat conducting portion 62 by the action of the refrigerant.

Reference examples are shown in FIGS . As shown in the figure , in this reference example, the lower arm 31B ′ is configured to rotate horizontally around the vertical axis O3 about the vertical axis O3 of the upper arm 31A ′. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, the lower arm 31B ′ has a bent shape including a bent portion, and the lower arm 31B ′ rotates to the side of the rotary tool 20, A state in which the roller member 32 is disposed at a position where the roller member 32 is pressed against the abutting portion TW is a pressing posture S1 ′, and the lower arm 31B ′ is moved from the rotary tool 20 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. The retreat posture S2 ′ is a state in which the rotary tool 20 is disposed in a position where the rotary tool 20 can be attached / detached by rotating in the separating horizontal direction.
Note that the horizontal rotation of the lower arm 31B ′ may be performed by a direct manual operation, or may be automatically performed using a rotation drive mechanism or the like (not shown). Further, as means for holding the pressing posture S1 ′ and the retracting posture S2 ′, the horizontal direction of the lower arm 31B ′ is engaged with the mounting base 33 of the spindle unit 10 and the shaft portion 31b ′ of the lower arm 31B ′. For example, it is possible to provide an engagement holding means (not shown) that restricts the rotation of the rotation.

It is a figure which shows the principal part of the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing of the press means used for the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is an enlarged side view showing the state of the connecting portion of the arm when the pressing means is in the pressing posture, (b) is an enlarged side view showing the state of the connecting portion of the arm when the pressing means is in the retracted posture, (C) is a front view which shows the roller member of a press means. (A)-(c) is an effect | action explanatory drawing of a press means. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure at the time of replacing | exchanging a rotary tool. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows replacement | exchange of the rotary tool using a tool automatic change apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a holder and a hand at the time of replacement | exchange of the rotary tool using a tool automatic change apparatus, (a) is a model side view, (b) is a model bottom view. (A) is a schematic front view (partial cross-section) showing the state of friction stir welding of enamel-type profiles, and (b) shows the state of friction stir welding while cooling by a cooling device. It is a model front view (partial cross section). It is a figure which shows the principal part of the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on a reference example, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main shaft unit 20 Rotating tool 20 'Rotating tool 24 Friction stirring part 24a Shoulder part 24b Stirring pin 30 Pressing means 31 Arm 31A Upper arm 31B Lower arm 32 Roller member 36a First stopper 36b Contact part 36c Second stopper 36d Contact 37 Air nozzle 50 Automatic changer 51 Support member K Space R1, R2 Upper and lower limits S1 Pressing posture S2 Retreating posture TW Abutting portion W Metal member Z Back washer

Claims (8)

A friction stir welding apparatus that joins the metal elements by moving a rotating tool along the abutting portion between the metal elements,
A spindle unit configured to removably support the rotary tool and to be movable up and down with respect to the metal element;
A pressing means that includes an arm suspended from the spindle unit and a roller member provided at a lower end portion of the arm, and is capable of pressing the upper surface of the abutting portion with the roller member in front of the moving direction of the rotary tool; With
The pressing means is
A pressing posture capable of pressing the upper surface of the abutting portion; and
At least the roller member is configured to be able to change its posture between a retracted posture away from the rotary tool ,
The arm includes an upper arm attached to the spindle unit and a lower arm rotatably supported by a lower portion of the upper arm, and the lower arm rotates with respect to the upper arm. In the pressing posture or the retracting posture,
In the retracted posture, the lower arm is inclined from a vertical axis in a direction in which the roller member approaches the rotating tool ,
The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm changes its posture by rotating the lower arm from the pressing posture to the retracted posture by its own weight.   2. The pressing device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit is in the retracted posture when the spindle unit is in a predetermined raised position, and is in the pressing posture when the spindle unit is in a predetermined lowered position. The friction stir welding apparatus as described.   The pressing means moves from the retracted position to the pressing position by moving the roller member toward the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element in a process in which the spindle unit is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position. In the process of changing the posture to the main shaft unit from the lowered position to the raised position, the roller member moves away from the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element, thereby moving the pressure member from the pressing posture. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the posture is changed to a retracted posture.   4. The friction stirrer according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit moves along the abutting portion as the rotary tool moves while maintaining the pressing posture. 5. Joining device. Between the upper arm and the lower arm, there is provided a first stopper that restricts the lower arm from rotating beyond the retraction posture beyond the pressing posture more than necessary. The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . Between the upper arm and the lower arm, there is provided a second stopper for restricting the lower arm from rotating beyond the pressing posture beyond the retracted posture more than necessary. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 5 . The air nozzle is provided in the site | part vicinity of the said roller member, The said air nozzle discharges air toward the said abutting part in the advancing direction front of the said roller member. The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of items 6 . The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein a roller width of the roller member is made smaller than a diameter of a shoulder portion of the friction stirrer.

Images