JP5987397B2 - Friction stir welding equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a friction stir welding apparatus used for workpiece friction stir welding.

  In friction stir welding, the probe (rod-like protrusion, pin) equipped on the friction stir welding tool is pressed against the workpiece joint while rotating and immersed in the workpiece, and friction heat is generated at the workpiece joint. In this method, the joint is softened and a plastic flow region of the workpiece material is formed around the probe by the rotational force of the probe, and agitated and mixed to integrally join a plurality of workpieces. Such friction stir welding has been used mainly for joining thin aluminum alloy materials (less than 10 mm) with a small joining reaction force generated during friction stir welding.

  The friction stir welding tool used for friction stir welding is integrated with a shoulder for contacting the surface of the workpiece in the vicinity of the workpiece with a larger diameter than the probe on the proximal end side of the probe for immersing the workpiece in the joint. The type provided in was mainly used.

  In the friction stir welding apparatus using the friction stir welding tool, the spindle unit provided with the friction stir welding tool so as to be rotationally driven, and the workpiece to be joined, the X-axis direction which is a direction along the workpiece joining line, and the vertical Since it is necessary to control the relative position in the Z-axis direction, which is the direction, and the Y-axis direction, which is the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, it is generally configured as an apparatus configuration such as a triaxial portal machine. It was.

  For the purpose of suppressing the occurrence of surface defects in the processing portion of the workpiece subjected to friction stirring, for example, the friction stirring device includes a pin, a rotation mechanism of the pin, and a first pressing the pin against the workpiece. A pressing mechanism, a jig provided with an insertion hole for inserting the pin, a second pressing mechanism that slidably presses the jig against a workpiece, and a pressing control unit are provided. . In addition, the pressing control unit moves the pin, the jig, and the workpiece relative to each other from the state in which the tip of the pin rotated by the rotating mechanism is immersed in the workpiece by the first pressing mechanism. In the past, it has been proposed to have a function of controlling the first pressing mechanism so that the tip of the pin is gradually pulled out from the workpiece while being moved in a moving manner (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

  By the way, although friction stir welding was originally applied when the joint part of a workpiece | work was flat, applying friction stir welding about the joining of the fillet of a workpiece | work has been proposed in recent years (for example, patent) Reference 2).

JP 2009-142845 A Japanese Patent No. 4240579

  However, the technique of applying friction stir welding to the joining of the fillet of the workpiece shown in Patent Document 2 is a probe (probe body) and a fixed (non-rotating) type arranged on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe. A friction stir welding tool composed of a shoulder (holding block) is used, and the friction stir welding tool is configured such that the probe and the fixed shoulder move up and down together. The shoulder is pressed against the work as the work is pressed. Therefore, the following problems arise.

  That is, the probe is immersed in the workpiece in order to stir the material of the workpiece softened at the workpiece joint, while the fixed shoulder is pressed against the surface of the workpiece. This is because the surface of the workpiece is pressed and molded so that the material of the softened workpiece stirred by the probe does not protrude outside. Therefore, the purpose is completely different between pressing the probe against the workpiece and pressing the fixed shoulder against the workpiece, and the appropriate pressing pressure according to each purpose is different. However, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to properly set both the pressing force of the probe and the pressing force of the fixed shoulder.

  Furthermore, in the friction stir welding tool shown in Patent Document 2, the positional relationship between the probe and the fixed shoulder in the height direction (the axial direction of the probe) is unchanged.

  For this reason, in what was shown by the said patent document 2, it is necessary to balance the force and position which are required for construction of the friction stir welding of a workpiece | work, and construction tolerance will become small.

  Further, when performing friction stir welding of the fillet of the workpiece, the fixed shoulder needs to be brought into contact with the two surfaces sandwiching the workpiece joining line. When one piece comes into contact with one surface, a pressing pressure is consumed at the place where the piece comes into contact, and there is a possibility that the pressing pressure applied to the probe to be immersed in the workpiece changes. Furthermore, the probe may be pushed back due to the contact of the fixed shoulder with the work, and the position of the probe immersed in the work during the friction stir welding may not be maintained.

  Furthermore, in order to implement good friction stir welding over the entire thickness of the workpiece, the amount of immersion of the probe (friction stirring height) to be immersed in the workpiece is changed according to the thickness of the workpiece. There is a need. However, in the one shown in Patent Document 2, the positional relationship between the probe and the fixed shoulder is invariant. Therefore, in order to perform friction stir welding of workpieces having different thicknesses, according to the thickness of each workpiece. It becomes necessary to prepare another friction stir welding tool.

  In addition, what was shown by patent document 1 is the state which made the 1st press mechanism in the state which pressed the jig | tool against the workpiece by the 2nd press mechanism after the process of friction stir welding was completed. By gradually pulling out the workpiece while rotating the pin arranged inside the insertion hole of the jig, a hole (keyhole) is formed in the portion of the workpiece where the pin is pulled out It is only to prevent it from being done.

  Therefore, what was shown by the said patent document 1 cannot solve each problem as mentioned above conventionally produced when performing friction stir welding of the fillet of a workpiece | work.

  Therefore, the present invention can individually set the pressing pressure and position of the probe and the pressing pressure and position of the shoulder in the friction stir welding tool when performing the friction stir welding of the fillet of the workpiece. It is an object of the present invention to provide a friction stir welding apparatus capable of efficiently and satisfactorily performing stirring inside the workpiece by immersion of the workpiece and molding of the surface of the workpiece by the shoulder.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises, in correspondence with claim 1, a probe that can be driven to rotate, and a fixed shoulder that is provided on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe with a probe insertion hole. In the friction stir welding apparatus having the friction stir welding tool, the fixed shoulder is provided with a lower end portion by two work contact surfaces for bringing the fixed shoulder into contact with the inclined surfaces sandwiching the joining line of the workpiece to be fillet joined. And a probe moving mechanism for controlling movement in one direction perpendicular to the joint line of the probe work, and a state in which the probe protrudes downward from the probe insertion hole, Friction stirring having a configuration in which a shoulder movement mechanism for controlling movement of the fixed shoulder in the same direction as the movement direction of the probe is provided separately. And coupling devices.

In the above configuration, the probe moving mechanism and the shoulder moving mechanism, a configuration which is adapted comprises a position control and press pressure Gosuru function independently the probe and the fixed shoulder.

Furthermore, in each said structure, it is set as the structure which has arrange | positioned the said probe moving mechanism and the said shoulder moving mechanism so that it may mutually oppose on both sides of the said friction stir welding tool.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the probe moving mechanism, by holding the shoulder moving mechanism, configuration to be able to move the shoulder moving mechanism together with the movement of the probe by the probe moving mechanism and To do.

According to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent effects are exhibited.
(1) In the friction stir welding apparatus having a friction stir welding tool having a probe capable of rotational driving and a fixed shoulder provided with a probe insertion hole and disposed on the outer periphery on the proximal end side of the probe, the fixed shoulder Is provided with a lower end portion by two workpiece contact surfaces for contacting the inclined surfaces sandwiching the joining line of the workpiece to be joined with fillet, and is orthogonal to the workpiece joining line of the probe. Controls movement of the fixed shoulder in the same direction as the movement direction of the probe with a probe movement mechanism for controlling movement in the direction and the probe protruding downward from the probe insertion hole. And a shoulder moving mechanism for performing the friction stir welding of the fillet at the position of the workpiece joining line. Door can be.
(2) Further, the friction stir welding with the workpiece can be performed in a state where the construction state is stabilized.
(3) At the time of friction stir welding of the fillet of the work, even if a piece of contact with the work of the fixed shoulder occurs, the construction state of the friction stir welding can be prevented from being affected and deteriorated.
(4) Therefore, the quality of products manufactured by friction stir welding can be improved.
(5) Since the protruding amount of the probe protruding from the fixed shoulder can be changed, it can be easily applied to friction stir welding of workpieces of various thicknesses and materials without changing the friction stir welding tool. Can do.

It is a cutting | disconnection schematic side view which shows one Embodiment of the friction stir welding apparatus of this invention. It is an AA direction arrow line view of FIG. The friction stir welding tool of the friction stir welding apparatus of FIG. 1 is enlarged and shown, (a) is a cut front view, (b) is a side view. It is a schematic front view which shows another example of the jig | tool used for holding | maintenance of a workpiece | work as another form of implementation of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 (a) and 3 (b) show an embodiment of the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention.

  That is, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention includes a friction stir welding tool 1 including a probe 2 that can be rotated and a fixed (non-rotating) shoulder 3 disposed on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe 2. .

  In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention, the probe 2 in the friction stir welding tool 1 is orthogonal to the X-axis direction as the direction in which the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b to be joined in the friction stir welding is extended. A probe moving mechanism 7 that is a first Z-axis table for moving along the Z-axis direction, which is one direction, and a second Z for moving the fixed shoulder 3 along the Z-axis direction. An X-axis for separately moving the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 together with the workpieces 4a and 4b along the X-axis direction. A main spindle comprising a table 9 and a Y-axis table 10 for moving the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 together in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Comprising a-decided prevention mechanism 6.

  The probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 of the friction stir welding tool 1 are individually attached to the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 in the spindle positioning mechanism 6.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the spindle positioning mechanism 6 is arranged in a horizontal frame with the X axis direction and the Y axis direction arranged in a horizontal plane and the Z axis direction as a vertical direction. The above-mentioned X in a form in which the workpieces 4a and 4b to be joined to the fillet (inner corner) are placed on 11 and moved along the direction in which the joining line 5 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) extends. The shaft table 9 is provided, and the probe moving mechanism 7, the shoulder moving mechanism 8, and the Y-axis table 10 are attached to and supported by the portal frame 12 straddling the X-axis table 9.

  The X-axis table 9 includes a guide rail 13 provided on the mount 11 so as to extend in the X-axis direction, and an X-axis that is slidably attached to the guide rail 13 via a guide block 14 as a horizontal flat plate shape. A table main body 15 and a ball screw linear motion mechanism 16 as a linear motion mechanism in the X-axis direction for moving the X-axis table main body 15 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 13 are configured.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 16 includes a servo motor 17, a speed reducer 18 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 19 connected to the output side of the speed reducer 18, and a nut member 20 attached to the screw shaft 19. It is set as the structure provided with.

  Further, the ball screw linear motion mechanism 16 is installed at a position on the gantry 11 between the X-axis table main body 15 so that the screw shaft 19 extends in parallel with the guide rail 13. The nut member 20 is attached to the X-axis table main body 15 via a bracket 21.

  Thereby, the X-axis table 9 is rotated together with the nut member 20 by the rotational drive of the screw shaft 19 via the speed reducer 18 by the servo motor 17 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 16. Can be moved in the X-axis direction. At this time, the X-axis table 9 detects the rotation amount of the servo motor 17 or the position of the nut member 20 or the X-axis table main body 15 by position detection means (not shown) such as a linear gauge or a displacement sensor. Based on the signal, the position and moving speed of the workpieces 4a and 4b to be placed and held on the upper side of the X-axis table main body 15 can be controlled as will be described later.

  On the upper side of the X-axis table main body 15, a jig 22 for holding the workpieces 4a and 4b to be joined to fillet is installed. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the jig 22 supports the workpieces 4a and 4b so that the workpieces 4a and 4b are inclined with respect to the joining line 5. It is for holding | maintaining in the attitude | position used as the V-shape by which the junction part was open | released upwards.

  The jig 22 includes a support block 22a for installation on the upper side of the X-axis table main body 15, for example. The support block 22a has a shape extending along the X-axis direction with a dimension corresponding to the length dimension of the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b to be joined.

  On the upper surface side of the support block 22a, a V-shaped groove 22b is provided at the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the entire length of the support block 22a in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). It is provided over.

  Further, the support block 22a is detachably attached to the upper end portion of each slope in the V-shaped groove 22b in a predetermined arrangement in the X-axis direction via bolts 22d. This is a configuration that can be used.

  The jig 22 is arranged at the lower end of the V-shaped groove 22b by arranging the workpieces 4a and 4b along the inclined surfaces of the V-shaped groove 22b. The joint portion of the fillet by the joint can be arranged to face each other. Further, in this state, each pressing member 22c for individually pressing the workpieces 4a and 4b is fixed to the upper end portion of the groove 22b of the jig 22 to the support block 22a by bolts 22d. Thereby, the jig 22 can hold the position of the joint portion of the fillet by the workpieces 4a and 4b over the entire length in the X-axis direction. In addition, in FIG.3 (b), description of the said jig | tool 22 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience of illustration.

  When the workpieces 4a and 4b are held by the jig 22, even when the friction stir welding tool 1 is pressed against the joint portion of the workpieces 4a and 4b with a large force to immerse the probe 2, It is assumed that the workpieces 4a and 4b can be held so as not to shift.

  3A illustrates the case where the fillet joints of the workpieces 4a and 4b are square joints, the fillet joint may be a T-shaped joint, a lap joint, or a cross joint. . In these cases, the workpieces 4a and 4b are arranged in accordance with the postures when the workpieces 4a and 4b are respectively arranged so that the surface sides of the workpieces 4a and 4b arranged with the joining line 5 interposed therebetween are inclined surfaces. What is necessary is just to change suitably the shape of the said jig | tool 22 for hold | maintaining.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the jig 22 is configured so that the workpieces 4a and 4b to be joined to the fillet are placed on the surface sides of the workpieces 4a and 4b arranged with the joining line 5 therebetween. It is preferable to be able to hold in a posture that forms an inclined surface having an equal inclination angle with respect to the vertical direction. However, depending on the shape and arrangement of the joint that fillet-joins the workpieces 4a and 4b, the jig 22 is inclined so that the surface sides of the workpieces 4a and 4b arranged across the joining line 5 are different from each other with respect to the vertical direction. Of course, it may be held at an angle.

  The probe moving mechanism 7 serving as a first Z-axis table is attached to the portal frame 12.

  The probe moving mechanism 7 includes a guide rail 23 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) installed on the portal frame 12, and a guide block 24 on the guide rail 23 as a flat plate along a vertical plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction. And a ball screw linear motion mechanism 26 as a linear motion mechanism in the Z-axis direction for moving the movable table main body 25 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 23. Has been.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 26 includes a servo motor 27, a reduction gear 28 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 29 connected to the output side of the reduction gear 28, and a nut member 30 attached to the screw shaft 29. It is set as the structure provided with.

  Further, the ball screw linear motion mechanism 26 is configured such that the screw shaft 29 is located between the guide rail 23 and the movable table body 25 on the surface of the portal frame 12 on the installation side of the probe moving mechanism 7. And the nut member 30 is attached to the movable table body 25 via a bracket 31.

  Thereby, the probe moving mechanism 7 causes the moving table body 25 to move together with the nut member 30 by the rotational drive of the screw shaft 29 via the speed reducer 28 by the servo motor 27 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 26. , Can be moved in the Z-axis direction, that is, moved up and down. At this time, the probe moving mechanism 7 detects the rotation amount of the servo motor 27 or the detection signal of the position of the nut member 30 or the moving table body 25 by position detection means (not shown) such as a linear gauge or a displacement sensor. The probe 2 is attached to the tip (lower end) of the spindle unit 32 by moving the spindle unit 32 held by the moving table body 25 via the Y-axis table 10 in the vertical direction as described later. The position in the Z-axis direction (vertical position) can be controlled.

  Further, in the probe moving mechanism 7, load measuring means (not shown) such as a load cell is interposed between the nut member 30 in the ball screw linear moving mechanism 26 and the bracket 31 fixed to the moving table body 25. Prepare. Thus, when the probe moving mechanism 7 presses the probe 2 against the joint portion between the workpieces 4a and 4b, the pressing force of the probe 2 against the joint portion between the workpieces 4a and 4b measured by the load measuring means (not shown). Based on this measurement signal, the operation of the servo motor 27 is controlled so that the pressing force of the probe 2 against the joint between the workpieces 4a and 4b can be controlled.

  The Y-axis table 10 slides on the guide rail 33 via a guide block 34 as a flat plate along a vertical plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction and a guide rail 33 in the Y-axis direction installed on the movable table body 25. A Y-axis table main body 35 that is freely attached, and a ball screw linear movement mechanism 36 as a linear movement mechanism in the Y-axis direction for moving the Y-axis table main body 35 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 33. Yes.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 36 includes a servo motor 37, a speed reducer 38 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 39 connected to the output side of the speed reducer 38, and a nut member 40 attached to the screw shaft 39. It is set as the structure provided with.

  Further, the ball screw linear motion mechanism 36 is configured such that the screw shaft 39 is located between the guide rail 33 and the Y-axis table body 35 on the surface of the movable table body 25 on the installation side of the Y-axis table 10. And the nut member 40 is attached to the Y-axis table main body 35 via a bracket 41.

  Thus, the Y-axis table 10 is rotated together with the nut member 40 by the rotational drive of the screw shaft 39 via the speed reducer 38 by the servo motor 37 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 36. Can be traversed in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the workpieces 4a and 4b by the X-axis table 9. At this time, in the Y-axis table 10, the position of the nut member 40 or the Y-axis table main body 35 is detected by a detection signal of the rotation amount of the servo motor 37 or position detection means (not shown) such as a linear gauge or a displacement sensor. Based on the signal, the spindle unit 32 held by the Y-axis table body 35 is moved in the Y-axis direction as described later, and the position of the probe 2 attached to the lower end of the spindle unit 32 in the Y-axis direction is determined. It can be controlled.

  As described above, the spindle unit 32 provided with the rotational drive device (not shown) for the probe 2 is attached to the Y-axis table main body 35.

  The spindle unit 32 is provided with a rotary drive shaft (probe shaft) 42 protruding downward on the lower end side, and the upper end side of the probe 2 of the friction stir welding tool 1 is integrally connected to the lower end of the rotary drive shaft 42. Has been.

  Here, the details of the configuration of the friction stir welding tool 1 including the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 will be described.

  The probe 2 is arranged so that the axial direction is the vertical direction, and the rotational drive shaft 42 of the spindle unit 32 is integrally connected to the upper end of the probe 2 as described above. Thereby, the probe 2 can be rotationally driven by the rotational driving force transmitted from the rotational driving device of the main spindle unit 32 via the rotational driving shaft 42.

  The fixed shoulder 3 has a lower end that extends along the X-axis direction as a V-shape composed of two workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b. The workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b are inclined so as to come into contact with the inclined surfaces on the surface side of the workpieces 4a and 4b held by the jig 22 on the X-axis table 9.

  Furthermore, the fixed shoulder 3 has a configuration in which a probe insertion hole 44 is provided in the middle in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. The probe insertion hole 44 has a portion through which the probe 2 is inserted and a portion through which the rotary drive shaft 42 is inserted, and the center position of the opening on the lower end side of the portion through which the probe 2 is inserted is the lower end of the fixed shoulder 3. The two workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b are provided so as to correspond to the vertex of the V shape. As a result, the rotational drive shaft 42 can be inserted into the insertion portion of the rotational drive shaft 42 of the probe insertion hole 44 so that the probe 2 protrudes downward from the probe insertion hole 44. It is. Further, in this state, the fixed shoulder 3 can be slid in a predetermined range dimension in the axial direction with respect to the probe 2 and the rotary drive shaft 42.

  Therefore, the friction stir welding tool 1 uses the workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b of the fixed shoulder 3 and the joint line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b held on the X-axis table 9 via the jig 22. It is configured such that it can be brought into contact with each other by being pressed against the surfaces arranged on both sides. Thereby, the friction stir welding tool 1 can arrange the V-shaped apex of the lower end portion of the fixed shoulder 3 in accordance with the position of the joining line 5 between the workpieces 4a and 4b. In this state, the probe 2 that protrudes downward from the probe insertion hole 44 of the fixed shoulder 3 can also be arranged at the position of the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b.

  The shoulder moving mechanism 8 for holding the fixed shoulder 3 of the friction stir welding tool 1 having the above-described configuration is provided on the side surface of the spindle unit 32 opposite to the side where the probe moving mechanism 7 is disposed. Yes.

  The shoulder moving mechanism 8 serves as a second Z-axis table, and is arranged on a vertical (Z-axis direction) guide rail 45 installed on the side surface of the spindle unit 32 and a vertical plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction. A table body 47 that is slidably attached to the guide rail 45 via a guide block 46 as a flat plate shape that follows, and a Z-axis direction linear motion mechanism for moving the table body 47 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 45 And a ball screw linear motion mechanism 48.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 48 includes a servo motor 49, a reduction gear 50 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 51 connected to the output side of the reduction gear 50, and a nut member 52 attached to the screw shaft 51. It is set as the structure provided with.

  Further, the speed reducer 50 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 48 is arranged so that the screw shaft 51 extends in parallel with the guide rail 45 on the predetermined side surface of the main spindle unit 32. The nut member 52 is installed at a position where it does not interfere, and is attached to the table main body 47 via a bracket 53.

  Further, the table main body 47 in the shoulder moving mechanism 8 has a connecting arm 54 extending to a position corresponding to the friction stir welding tool 1 disposed on the lower end side of the spindle unit 32, for example, as shown in FIG. One end portion on the upper end side of the substantially L-shaped connecting arm 54 is attached to the other end portion of the connecting arm 54 at the outer peripheral position on the proximal end side of the probe 2 by the friction stir welding tool 1. The upper end portion of the fixed shoulder 3 is fixed.

  Thereby, the shoulder moving mechanism 8 causes the table main body 47 to move together with the nut member 52 by the rotational drive of the screw shaft 51 via the speed reducer 50 by the servo motor 49 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 48. It can be moved in the Z-axis direction, that is, moved up and down. At this time, the shoulder moving mechanism 8 receives a detection signal of the rotation amount of the servo motor 49 or a detection signal of the position of the nut member 52 or the table body 47 by a position detection means (not shown) such as a linear gauge or a displacement sensor. Based on this, the fixed shoulder 3 attached to the table main body 47 via the connecting arm 54 is moved in the vertical direction, and the position of the fixed shoulder 3 in the Z-axis direction (vertical position) is determined by the probe. 2 can be controlled independently.

  Further, in the shoulder moving mechanism 8, a load measuring means such as a load cell (not shown) is interposed between the nut member 52 in the ball screw linear movement mechanism 48 and the bracket 53 fixed to the table body 47. Prepare. Thus, the shoulder moving mechanism 8 joins the work 4a and 4b of the fixed shoulder 3 measured by the load measuring means (not shown) when the fixed shoulder 3 is pressed against the joint of the works 4a and 4b. The operation of the servo motor 49 is controlled on the basis of the measurement signal of the pressing force on the portion, so that the pressing force on the joint portion of the fixed shoulder 3 between the workpieces 4a and 4b can be controlled.

  When using the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, first, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A, workpieces 4a and 4b are cured on the X-axis table 9. It is held via the tool 22.

  Next, the friction stir welding tool 1 is moved in the Z-axis direction according to the positions of the workpieces 4a and 4b held on the X-axis table 9 by the probe moving mechanism 7 and the Y-axis table 10 in the spindle positioning mechanism 6. It arrange | positions in a position and a Y-axis direction position.

  At this time, since the shoulder moving mechanism 8 that holds the fixed shoulder 3 of the friction stir welding tool 1 is attached to the spindle unit 32 that holds the probe 2, the shoulder moving mechanism 8 is attached to the lower end side of the spindle unit 32. The probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 held by the shoulder moving mechanism 8 are moved together in the Y-axis direction by the operation of the common Y-axis table 10, and the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 are moved. The workpieces 4a and 4b can be aligned at the Y-axis direction position corresponding to the position of the joining line 5.

  In this state, by the positioning control by the probe moving mechanism 7, the probe 2 is disposed in the vicinity of one end side that is the friction stir welding start side in the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4 a and 4 b, and the shoulder moving mechanism By the positioning control by 8, the fixed shoulder 3 is brought into contact with the corresponding surfaces of the workpieces 4a and 4b so that the two workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b are in contact with each other. Are arranged so as to be in contact with the upper side of one end of the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b.

  Next, the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 are set to a desired control mode of pressing pressure control or positioning control, respectively. Here, for example, both the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 are set to the pressure control.

  Thereafter, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention, the rotation of the probe 2 of the friction stir welding tool 1 is started by the main spindle unit 32, and then the operation of the X axis table 9 is started. The workpieces 4a and 4b are moved toward the friction stir welding tool 1 along the X-axis direction.

  As a result, the rotationally driven probe 2 comes to be immersed in the position of the joint line 5 between the workpieces 4a and 4b, so that the friction stir welding of the workpieces 4a and 4b is started, and then the X axis By continuing the movement of the workpieces 4a and 4b along the X-axis direction by the operation of the table 9, the friction stir welding along the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b proceeds.

  At this time, the probe 2 is pressed by the probe moving mechanism 7 against the joint portion of the workpieces 4a and 4b with an appropriate pressing force for stirring the material of the workpieces 4a and 4b to be softened at the joint portion. be able to. On the other hand, in the fixed shoulder 3, the material of the softened workpieces 4a and 4b, which is agitated by the probe 2 at the joint portion with respect to the joint portion of the workpieces 4a and 4b by the shoulder moving mechanism 8, is the workpiece 4a. It can be pressed with an appropriate pressing force for molding so as not to protrude beyond the surface of 4b.

  Furthermore, even when either one of the workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b of the fixed shoulder 3 comes into contact with the corresponding surface of the workpieces 4a and 4b, the pressing force of the probe 2 against the workpieces 4a and 4b is not reduced. It is possible to eliminate the possibility that the probe 2 may be changed or the position of the probe 2 cannot be maintained.

  Therefore, the friction stir welding of the workpieces 4a and 4b constructed by the friction stir welding tool 1 including the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 can stabilize the construction state.

  After the friction stir welding is performed over the entire length of the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b, the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 are both set to the position control mode, and the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder are fixed. 3 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the friction stir welded workpieces 4a and 4b together with the spindle unit 32, and the workpieces 4a and 4b are ejected.

  In the above description, the case where both the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 are pressed and controlled by the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 during the construction of the friction stir welding has been described. At the time of construction, the position of either the probe 2 or the fixed shoulder 3 or both may be controlled by the corresponding probe moving mechanism 7 and shoulder moving mechanism 8.

  Even in this case, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 can be independently maintained in an appropriate state during the construction of the friction stir welding, and the fixed shoulder 3 Even if contact with the workpieces 4a and 4b occurs, the risk of affecting the control of the probe 2 can be eliminated, so that the construction state of the friction stir welding of the workpieces 4a and 4b can be stabilized. .

  Thus, according to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the friction stir welding of the fillet at the position along the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b can be performed.

  Moreover, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention can appropriately control the position and pressing pressure of the probe 2 and the position and pressing pressure of the fixed shoulder 3 when performing the friction stir welding. The friction stir welding of the workpieces 4a and 4b can be performed in a state where the construction state is stabilized.

  In addition, in the friction stir welding of the fillets of the workpieces 4a and 4b, there is a possibility that the fixed shoulder 3 may come into contact with the workpieces 4a and 4b, but even if such contact occurs, the friction stir welding is performed. It is possible to prevent the state from being affected and getting worse.

  Therefore, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention can improve the quality of products manufactured by friction stir welding as the construction conditions for friction stir welding are stabilized.

Further, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention causes the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 to project below the probe insertion hole 44 of the fixed shoulder 3 by controlling the position of the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3. The protruding amount of the probe 2 can be changed.
Therefore, the friction stir welding of the workpieces 4a and 4b having different thickness dimensions can be performed without replacing the friction stir welding tool 1. Moreover, when performing friction stir welding, the immersion amount of the probe 2 with respect to the workpieces 4a and 4b can be freely changed. Therefore, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention can be easily applied to the friction stir welding of the workpieces 4a and 4b having various thicknesses and various materials.

  Further, since the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 are disposed so as to face each other with the friction stir welding tool 1 interposed therebetween, the probe moving mechanism 7 places the probe 2 on the workpieces 4a and 4b. The direction of the horizontal component of the moment due to the reaction force when pressing against the horizontal direction component of the moment due to the reaction force when the shoulder moving mechanism 8 presses the fixed shoulder 3 against the workpieces 4a and 4b. The stir welding tool 1 can be opposed to each other. Therefore, the moment which acts on the whole friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention at the time of construction of friction stir welding can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the probe moving mechanism 7 is configured to support the shoulder moving mechanism 8 holding the fixed shoulder 3 via the Y-axis table 10 and the spindle unit 32 including the probe 2. In this configuration, since the pressing force of the probe 2 against the workpieces 4a and 4b is usually larger than the pressing pressure of the fixed shoulder 3 against the workpieces 4a and 4b, the probe moving mechanism 7 serves as a linear motion mechanism in the Z-axis direction. The ball screw linear motion mechanism 26 needs to have an output larger than that of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 48 as the linear motion mechanism in the Z-axis direction in the shoulder moving mechanism 8, and the movement following the probe 2 of the fixed shoulder 3. Can be performed by the ball screw linear movement mechanism 26 of the probe moving mechanism 7 having a large output, and the movement of the probe 2 and the fixed shoulder 3 in the Y-axis direction can be performed by the common Y-axis table 10. From the point of view, this is a preferable configuration.

  However, the shoulder moving mechanism 8 may be provided separately from the probe moving mechanism 7. In this case, for example, another portal frame straddling the X-axis table 9 is installed on the opposite side of the main shaft unit 32 with respect to the portal frame 12 to which the probe moving mechanism 7 is attached. Then, the shoulder moving mechanism 8 may be attached to the another portal frame. In this case, the Y-axis table that operates in synchronization with the Y-axis table 10 between the another portal frame and the shoulder movement mechanism 8 or the shoulder movement mechanism 8 is moved in the Y-axis direction. The guide means in the Y-axis direction for holding it so as to be freely movable may be provided.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the linear motion mechanism in each Z-axis direction in the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 is the probe 2 that is the object to be moved in each Z-axis direction. And related equipment, fixed shoulder 3 and related equipment can be moved in the Z-axis direction, linear movement mechanism with trapezoidal screws, linear movement with rack and pinion with drop prevention measures Any type of linear motion mechanism other than the ball screw linear motion mechanisms 26 and 48, such as a mechanism and a linear motion mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder, may be employed.

  Similarly, the linear motion mechanism provided in the Y-axis table 10 and the X-axis table 9 may employ any type of linear motion mechanism other than the ball screw linear motion mechanisms 16 and 36.

  If the load measuring means in the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 can measure the pressing force of the corresponding probe 2 and fixed shoulder 3 against the workpieces 4a and 4b, the installation location can be changed as appropriate. Alternatively, any type of load measuring means other than the load cell may be employed.

  The fixed shoulder 3 of the friction stir welding tool 1 has a V-shaped lower end made up of two workpiece contact surfaces 43a and 43b, and an inclined surface sandwiching the joining line 5 of the workpieces 4a and 4b for joining fillet As long as the shape can be arranged along the shape, the shape on the upper side may be any shape.

  From the viewpoint of reducing the moment acting on the entire friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention during the construction of the friction stir welding, the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 face each other with the friction stir welding tool 1 in between. However, the probe moving mechanism 7 and the shoulder moving mechanism 8 may be arranged in any direction around the friction stir welding tool 1.

  Further, as an application example of the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the fixed shoulder disposed at the base end side outer peripheral position of the probe 2 in the friction stir welding tool 1 is replaced with a fixed shoulder 3 having a V-shaped lower end portion. Thus, as a configuration using a fixed shoulder having a flat bottom end, when performing friction stir welding between butted ends of two workpieces arranged on the same plane, the individual probe moving mechanism 7 and shoulder moving mechanism 8 The position and pressing pressure of the probe 2 and the position and pressing pressure of the fixed shoulder may be controlled independently.

  The jig 22 provided on the X-axis table 9 for holding the workpieces 4a and 4b prevents the workpieces 4a and 4b arranged along the inclined surfaces of the V-shaped grooves 22b of the support block 22a from being displaced. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the end surfaces of the workpieces 4a and 4b arranged along the slopes of the V-shaped grooves 22b are located on the upper end sides of the slopes. In addition, the pressing member 22c may be fixed to the support block 22a via the bolt 22d in a state where the pressing member 22c is arranged to be pressed. Furthermore, the workpieces 4a and 4b are fixed to the support block 22a by alternately changing the fixing method of the type shown in FIG. 3A and the fixing method of the type shown in FIG. In addition, any type of fixing method other than that shown in the drawings may be adopted.

  Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Friction stir welding tool 2 Probe 3 Fixed shoulder 4a, 4b Workpiece 5 Joining line 7 Probe moving mechanism 8 Shoulder moving mechanism 43a, 43b Workpiece contact surface

Claims (4)

In a friction stir welding apparatus having a friction stir welding tool having a probe that can be driven to rotate, and a fixed shoulder provided with a probe insertion hole and disposed on the outer periphery on the proximal end side of the probe,
The fixed shoulder is configured to have a lower end portion by two workpiece contact surfaces for contacting the inclined surfaces sandwiching the joining line of the workpiece to be joined to fillet,
And a probe moving mechanism for controlling movement in one direction perpendicular to the joint line of the probe workpiece,
A shoulder movement mechanism for controlling the movement of the fixed shoulder in the same direction as the movement direction of the probe in a state where the probe protrudes downward from the probe insertion hole. A friction stir welding apparatus characterized by comprising: In the probe moving mechanism and the shoulder moving mechanism, the friction stir welding device according to claim 1, wherein as comprising a position control and press pressure Gosuru function independently the probe and the fixed shoulder. The probe moving mechanism and the shoulder moving mechanism, the friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein was set to be opposed to each other across the friction stir welding tool. In the probe moving mechanism, the shoulder moving mechanism by holding the friction of claim 1, wherein which make it possible to move the shoulder moving mechanism together with the movement of the probe by the probe moving mechanism Stir welding device.

Images