JP5987398B2 - 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.

  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.

  As another type of the friction stir welding tool as described above, the probe and the shoulder are separated, and the shoulder is arranged on the outer periphery of the probe so as to be movable in the axial direction (movable forward and backward). In the related art, the probe and the probe are connected via an elastic body such as a compression coil spring that urges the shoulder toward the tip of the probe. According to the friction stir welding tool having such a configuration, at the end of joining, the probe is gradually withdrawn in the axial direction in a state where the shoulder rotating together with the probe is in contact with the surface of the workpiece, By gradually decreasing the insertion depth of the probe into the joint, it is possible to prevent a recess or a hole from remaining at the joint end of the workpiece (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  Further, in a friction stir welding tool having a probe and a shoulder having a diameter larger than that of the probe, there has been conventionally proposed an idea that the shoulder is a fixed (non-rotating) shoulder that does not rotate with respect to the workpiece (for example, , See Patent Document 2).

  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 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3045682 Special table 2009-537325 gazette Japanese Patent No. 4240579

  However, in the friction stir welding tool of the type having a fixed shoulder shown in Patent Document 2, the probe and the fixed shoulder are moved up and down together, and the probe is pressed against the workpiece. Accordingly, the fixed shoulder is pressed against the work.

  Further, the technique of applying friction stir welding to the joining of the fillet of the workpiece shown in Patent Document 3 is a probe (probe main body) and a fixed type (non-rotating) arranged on the outer periphery of the base end side of the probe. A friction stir welding tool comprising a shoulder (pressing block) is used. In the friction stir welding tool disclosed in Patent Document 3, the probe described above is used in the same manner as that disclosed in Patent Document 2. And the fixed shoulder move up and down together, and the shoulder is pressed against the work as the probe is pressed against the work.

  Therefore, in the friction stir welding tool of the type having a conventional fixed shoulder as shown in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the following problems occur.

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 ones disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, it is difficult to properly set both the pressing force of the probe and the pressing force of the fixed shoulder.

  Further, in the friction stir welding tool shown in Patent Documents 2 and 3, since the positional relationship between the probe and the fixed shoulder in the height direction (the axial direction of the probe) is invariant, the friction of the workpiece It is necessary to balance the force (pressing pressure) necessary for the construction of the stir welding and the position, and the construction margin is reduced.

  And in order to implement favorable friction stir welding over the whole 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 friction stir welding tool shown in Patent Documents 2 and 3, as described above, since the positional relationship in the height direction between the probe and the fixed shoulder is unchanged, one friction stir welding tool is used. When the amount of immersion of the probe with respect to the workpiece is increased or decreased, the pressing force with respect to the fixed shoulder workpiece is significantly increased or decreased. Therefore, in order to perform friction stir welding of workpieces having different thicknesses, it is necessary to prepare another friction stir welding tool corresponding to the thickness of each workpiece.

  In addition, what is shown in Patent Document 1 is that when the probe of the friction stir welding tool is pulled out from the workpiece in order to achieve the purpose of preventing the concave portion and the hole from remaining at the joining end portion of the workpiece, The child is required to maintain the state of being in contact with the surface of the work while being rotated. Therefore, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not applicable to a friction stir welding tool of a type having a fixed shoulder because the shoulder is essential to be a rotary type. There is no suggestion of a solution to the problems caused by the conventional friction stir welding tool having a fixed shoulder.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a pressing force and position of a probe in the friction stir welding tool when a workpiece is friction stir welded using a friction stir welding tool of the type having a probe and a fixed shoulder, and a fixed type. The pressure and position of the shoulder can be set appropriately, and stirring inside the workpiece by immersing the probe and molding of the surface of the workpiece by the fixed shoulder can be performed efficiently and satisfactorily. An object of the present invention is to provide a friction stir welding apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention, corresponding to claim 1, is a probe having a proximal end connected to the distal end portion of the rotational drive shaft of the main spindle unit, and for inserting the probe and the rotational drive shaft. A friction stir welding tool comprising a fixed shoulder provided with a probe insertion hole and arranged on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe and the distal end side of the rotary drive shaft, and the fixed shoulder from the probe insertion hole to the probe The guide means for supporting the probe movably in a direction along the axial center direction of the probe and the fixed shoulder are urged in a direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the probe. And a friction stir welding apparatus having a configuration including the elastic member.

In the above arrangement, the elastic member, the protruding amount from the probe insertion hole of the fixing shoulder of the probe, the corresponding dimensions as the predetermined immersion amount to the bonding portion of the work of the probe, or the probe when it made to the corresponding dimensions as the immersion amount envisaged with the probe immersed to a joint when pressing the joint portion of the workpiece at a predetermined pressing force, restoring force of the elastic member, relative to the fixed shoulder of the workpiece The spring constant of the elastic member is set so as to match the pressing pressure.

Furthermore, in each said structure, the said fixed shoulder is set as the structure provided with the lower end part by two workpiece | work contact surfaces for making it each contact with the inclined surface which pinched | interposed the joining line of the workpiece | work of fillet joining object.

Similarly, in each of the above- described configurations, the fixed shoulder has a configuration in which the lower end portion has a planar shape.

According to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent effects are exhibited.
(1) A probe having a proximal end connected to the distal end portion of the rotation drive shaft of the spindle unit, and a probe insertion hole for allowing the probe and the rotation drive shaft to pass therethrough, and a proximal end side of the probe and the rotation drive shaft A friction stir welding tool composed of a fixed shoulder disposed on the outer periphery of the distal end of the probe , and the fixed shoulder in a direction along the axial direction of the probe with the probe protruding from the probe insertion hole. a guide means for movably supporting, the fixing shoulder, and an elastic member for urging in a direction to be the front end side from the base end side of the probe, since the provided comprising configure, work Friction stir welding can be performed at a position along the joining line.
(2) In addition, when performing friction stir welding of workpieces, construction management can be performed by concentrating only on the position of the probe or the pressing force, so the reproducibility is high and the quality is stable. The construction of friction stir welding can be realized.
(3) Accordingly, it is possible to improve the quality of products manufactured by friction stir welding as the construction conditions for friction stir welding are stabilized.
(4) The friction stir welding tool can change the protruding amount of the probe protruding from the fixed shoulder by deformation of the elastic member, and when changing the protruding amount of the probe, It is possible to prevent the pressing pressure against the workpiece from changing significantly.
(5) Therefore, it can be easily applied to friction stir welding of workpieces of various thicknesses and various materials without replacing the friction stir welding tool.

It is a cutting schematic front view which shows one Embodiment of the friction stir welding apparatus of this invention. It is a cutting | disconnection schematic side view of the friction stir welding apparatus of FIG. The friction stir welding tool in 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 general | schematic cutting front view which shows the modification of a friction stir welding tool as other form of implementation of this invention. It is a general | schematic cutting front view which shows another example of a friction stir welding tool as other form of implementation of this invention. It is a schematic front view which shows another example of the jig | tool used for holding | maintenance of a workpiece | work as other form of implementation of this invention.

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

  FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 3 (a) (b) shows the example in the case of applying to the friction stir welding of the fillet of a workpiece | work as one Embodiment of the friction stir welding apparatus of this invention.

  That is, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention includes, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), a probe 2 that can be rotationally driven, and an outer periphery of the probe 2 that is axially oriented with respect to the probe 2 A fixed (non-rotating) shoulder 3 that can be moved relative to each other, and a spring member 4 as an elastic member for biasing the fixed shoulder 3 from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the probe 2. The friction stir welding tool 1 is provided.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention includes a spindle unit 5 for mounting the friction stir welding tool 1 to drive the probe 2 to rotate, As a spindle positioning mechanism for moving the spindle unit 5 along the joining line 7 (see FIG. 3A) of the workpieces 6a and 6b to be joined in the friction stir welding of fillet, for example, a triaxial gate The main spindle positioning mechanism 8 of the mold is provided.

  The spindle positioning mechanism 8 includes an X-axis table 10 for placing the workpieces 6a and 6b on a horizontal base 9 and moving the workpieces 6a and 6b along the direction in which the joint line 7 extends. .

  Further, the spindle positioning mechanism 8 includes a portal frame 11 straddling the X-axis table 10, and a Z-axis table for controlling the position of the spindle unit 5 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). 12 is attached. The Z-axis table 12 is used to control the position of the spindle unit 5 in a horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as the Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the moving direction of the X-axis table 10 (hereinafter referred to as the X-axis direction). A Y-axis table 13 is attached. The Y-axis table 13 is configured such that the spindle unit 5 is attached in a state of being disposed above the X-axis table 10.

  Details will be described below.

  The X-axis table 10 includes a guide rail 14 provided on the mount 9 so as to extend in the X-axis direction, and an X-axis that is slidably attached to the guide rail 14 via a guide block 15 as a horizontal flat plate shape. The table main body 16 and a ball screw linear motion mechanism 17 as a linear motion mechanism in the X-axis direction for moving the X-axis table main body 16 along the guide rail 14 are configured.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 17 includes a servo motor 18, a speed reducer 19 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 20 connected to the output side of the speed reducer 19, and a nut screwed to the screw shaft 20. The member 21 is provided.

  Further, the ball screw linear motion mechanism 17 is installed on the gantry 9 in a posture such that the screw shaft 20 extends in parallel with the guide rail 14, and the nut member 21 is provided with the X axis. It is attached to the table body 16 via a bracket 22.

  Thus, the X-axis table 10 is rotated together with the nut member 21 by the rotational drive of the screw shaft 20 via the speed reducer 19 by the servo motor 18 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 17. Can be moved in the X-axis direction. At this time, in the X-axis table 10, the position of the nut member 21 or the X-axis table main body 16 is detected by a detection signal of the rotation amount of the servo motor 18 or 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 6a and 6b to be placed and held on the upper side of the X-axis table main body 16 can be controlled as will be described later.

  On the upper side of the X-axis table body 16, a jig 23 for holding the workpieces 6a and 6b to be joined with the fillet is installed. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the jig 23 supports the workpieces 6a and 6b so that the workpieces 6a and 6b are inclined with respect to the joining line 7. 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 23 includes a support block 23a for installation on the upper side of the X-axis table main body 16, for example. The support block 23a has a shape extending along the X-axis direction with a dimension corresponding to the length dimension of the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6a and 6b to be joined.

  On the upper surface side of the support block 23a, a V-shaped groove 23b is provided at the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and the entire length in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the support block 23a. It is provided over.

  Further, the support block 23a is detachably attached to the upper end portion of each inclined surface of the V-shaped groove 23b in a predetermined arrangement in the X-axis direction via bolts 23d. This is a configuration that can be used.

  The jig 23 arranges the workpieces 6a and 6b along the slopes of the V-shaped groove 23b, so that the corners of the workpieces 6a and 6b are formed at the lower end of the V-shaped groove 23b. The joint portion of the fillet by the joint can be arranged to face each other. Further, in this state, the pressing members 23c for individually pressing the workpieces 6a and 6b are fixed to the upper end portion of the groove 23b of the jig 23 to the support block 23a by bolts 23d. Thereby, the jig 23 can hold the position of the joint portion of the fillet by the workpieces 6a and 6b over the entire length in the X-axis direction. In addition, in FIG.3 (b), description of the said jig | tool 23 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience of illustration.

  In the friction stir welding, the jig 23 does not shift the workpieces 6a and 6b even when the friction stir welding tool 1 is pressed against the joints of the workpieces 6a and 6b with such a large force as to immerse the probe 2. It is assumed that it can be held as follows.

  3A illustrates the case where the joint portion of the fillets of the workpieces 6a and 6b is a square joint, the joint portion of the fillet may be a T-shaped joint, a lap joint, or a cross joint. . In these cases, the workpieces 6a and 6b are arranged in accordance with the postures when the workpieces 6a and 6b are respectively arranged so that the surface sides of the workpieces 6a and 6b arranged with the joining line 7 therebetween are inclined surfaces. What is necessary is just to change suitably the shape of the said jig | tool 23 for hold | maintaining.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the jig 23 is configured so that the workpieces 6a and 6b to be joined to the fillet are placed on the surface side of the workpieces 6a and 6b arranged with the joining line 7 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 6a and 6b, the jig 23 is inclined so that the surface sides of the workpieces 6a and 6b arranged across the joining line 7 are different from each other with respect to the vertical direction. Of course, it may be held at an angle.

  The Z-axis table 12 includes a guide rail 24 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) installed on the portal frame 11 and a flat plate shape along a vertical plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction. A Z-axis table main body 26 slidably mounted via a guide shaft, and a ball screw linear motion mechanism 27 as a Z-axis direction linear motion mechanism for moving the Z-axis table main body 26 along the guide rail 24. Yes.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 27 includes a servo motor 28, a speed reducer 29 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 30 connected to the output side of the speed reducer 29, and a nut screwed into the screw shaft 30. The member 31 is provided.

  Further, the ball screw linear motion mechanism 27 is installed on the surface of the portal frame 11 on the side where the Z-axis table 12 is installed in such a posture that the screw shaft 30 extends in parallel with the guide rail 24. In addition, the nut member 31 is attached to the Z-axis table body 26 via a bracket 32.

  As a result, the Z-axis table 12 is rotated together with the nut member 31 by the rotational drive of the screw shaft 30 via the speed reducer 29 by the servo motor 28 of the ball screw linear motion mechanism 27. Can be moved in the Z-axis direction, that is, moved up and down. At this time, the Z-axis table 12 detects the position of the nut member 31 or the Z-axis table body 26 by a detection signal of the rotation amount of the servo motor 28 or position detection means (not shown) such as a linear gauge or a displacement sensor. Based on the signal, the spindle unit 5 held by the Z-axis table body 26 via the Y-axis table 13 is moved in the vertical direction, and the friction stirrer attached to the tip (lower end) of the spindle unit 5 is moved. The position (vertical direction position) of the probe 2 of the welding tool 1 in the Z-axis direction can be controlled.

  Further, in the Z-axis table 12, load measuring means (not shown) such as a load cell is interposed between the nut member 31 in the ball screw linear motion mechanism 27 and the bracket 32 fixed to the Z-axis table main body 26. It is prepared. As a result, when the Z-axis table 12 presses the probe 2 against the joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b, the pressing force applied to the joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b of the probe 2 measured by the load measuring means (not shown). Based on the measurement signal of the reaction force, the operation of the servo motor 28 is controlled so that the pressing force of the probe 2 against the joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b can be controlled.

  The Y-axis table 13 has a guide rail 33 in the Y-axis direction installed on the Z-axis table main body 26 and a flat plate shape along a vertical plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction. A Y-axis table main body 35 that is slidably mounted, and a ball screw linear motion mechanism 36 as a linear motion mechanism in the Y-axis direction that moves the Y-axis table main body 35 along the guide rail 33 are configured.

  The ball screw linear motion mechanism 36 includes a servo motor 37, a reduction gear 38 attached to the output side thereof, a screw shaft 39 connected to the output side of the reduction gear 38, and a nut screwed to the screw shaft 39. The member 40 is provided.

  Further, the ball screw linear motion mechanism 36 is installed on the surface of the Z-axis table main body 26 on the installation side of the Y-axis table 13 in such a posture that the screw shaft 39 extends in parallel with the guide rail 33. The nut member 40 is attached to the Y-axis table main body 35 via a bracket 41.

Thereby, the Y-axis table 13 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 moved in the Y-axis direction, that is, in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the workpieces 6a and 6b by the X-axis table 10.
At this time, the Y-axis table 13 detects the position of the nut member 40 or the Y-axis table main body 35 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 5 held by the Y-axis table body 35 is moved in the Y-axis direction, and the probe 2 of the friction stir welding tool 1 attached to the lower end of the spindle unit 5 is in the Y-axis direction. The position of can be controlled.

  As described above, the spindle unit 5 including the rotational drive device (not shown) for the probe 2 is attached to the Y-axis table main body 35.

  The main spindle unit 5 is provided with a rotational drive shaft (probe shaft) 42 protruding downward on the lower end side.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the rotational drive shaft 42 has a larger diameter than the probe 2 of the friction stir welding tool 1, and is closer to the lower end of the rotational drive shaft 42 and thinner than the upper side. For example, by providing a small diameter portion 42a having the same diameter as the probe 2, a stepped portion 43 having a stepped surface facing downward is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the small diameter portion 42a. The upper end side of the probe 2 is integrally connected to the lower end of the small diameter portion 42a of the rotary drive shaft 42.

  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 with reference to FIGS.

  The probe 2 is arranged so that the axial direction is the vertical direction, and the lower end of the rotary drive shaft 42 of the main shaft unit 5 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 spindle unit 5 via the rotational driving shaft 42.

  The fixed shoulder 3 has a lower end portion extending in the X-axis direction as a V shape including two workpiece contact surfaces 44a and 44b. The workpiece contact surfaces 44a and 44b are inclined so as to come into contact with the inclined surfaces on the surface side of the workpieces 6a and 6b held by the jig 23 on the X-axis table 10.

  Furthermore, the fixed shoulder 3 has a configuration in which a probe insertion hole 45 is provided in the middle in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) so as to penetrate in the vertical direction.

  The probe insertion hole 45 includes a portion closer to the lower end for allowing the probe 2 to pass therethrough as a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the probe 2, and a portion having a large diameter above the small diameter portion 42 a of the rotary drive shaft 42. A stepped portion 46 having a stepped portion facing upward is provided between the lower end portion and the upper end portion, the upper end portion for inserting the rotary drive shaft 42 as a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter. It is supposed to be formed.

  The opening on the lower end side of the probe insertion hole 45 where the probe 2 is inserted corresponds to the center of the V-shaped apex where the two work contact surfaces 44a and 44b of the lower end of the fixed shoulder 3 are combined. It is provided to do.

  As a result, the fixed shoulder 3 is arranged such that the rotary drive shaft 42 and the probe 2 are inserted into the probe insertion hole 45 inside the portion near the upper end and the portion near the lower end, respectively. It can be arranged so as to protrude below 45.

  Further, between the stepped portion 43 of the rotary drive shaft 42 and the stepped portion 46 provided in the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3, it is arranged on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 42a of the rotary drive shaft 42. A thrust bearing 47 as a bearing and a coil spring 4 as the spring member 4 (for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals as those of the spring member 4 are attached) are attached so as to be stacked one above the other. It has been. Thus, only the force (pressing pressure) in the axial direction from the rotary drive shaft 42 is applied to the coil spring 4 in a state where the transmission of the rotary drive force of the rotary drive shaft 42 is blocked by the thrust bearing 47. It is supposed to be communicated.

  The coil spring 4 includes the thrust bearing 47 provided on the stepped portion 43 side of the rotary drive shaft 42 when the probe 2 is arranged to protrude downward from the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3. The total length (natural length) of the coil spring 4 in an unloaded state is set so as to be compressed and deformed between the step portion 46 of the probe insertion hole 45.

  Further, the coil spring 4 is required for the amount of protrusion when the probe 2 is protruded downward from the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3 to perform good friction stir welding between the workpieces 6a and 6b. When the dimensions correspond to the amount of penetration of the probe 2 into the joint portion, or the projection amount is a predetermined pressing pressure required to perform good friction stir welding of the probe 2, the workpiece 6 a And 6b, when the probe 2 has a size corresponding to the amount of immersion that is assumed to be immersed in the joint, the restoring force of the coil spring 4 in the compression deformation state is good. It is assumed that the spring constant of the coil spring 4 is set so as to match the pressing force of the fixed shoulder 3 against the workpieces 6a and 6b required for performing friction stir welding. As a result, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the fixed shoulder 3 joins the workpieces 6a and 6b as the immersion amount or pressing force of the probe 2 with respect to the joined portion of the workpieces 6a and 6b is adjusted. It is designed to be pressed against the part with an appropriate pressing pressure. Further, since the pressing force of the fixed shoulder 3 is applied by the restoring force from the compression deformation state of the coil spring 4, the change in the surface position of the joint portion between the workpieces 6a and 6b is accompanied. Even if the compression-deformed coil spring 4 is slightly deformed in the extension direction or further in the compression direction, it is possible to prevent the pressing pressure of the fixed shoulder 3 from changing significantly.

  A flange portion 48 is provided at the upper end portion of the fixed shoulder 3 so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side, and the guide hole 49 penetrates in a plurality of positions at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction in the flange portion 48. Is drilled.

  Further, guide means that protrudes downward at a position corresponding to each guide hole 49 of the fixed shoulder 3 at the lower end portion of the casing 50 of the main spindle unit 5 in an arrangement parallel to the axial direction of the rotary drive shaft 42. A guide pin 51 is provided. The outer diameter of each guide pin 51 is set to be slightly smaller than the diameter of each guide hole 49 of the fixed shoulder 3.

  Each guide pin 51 is inserted into the corresponding guide hole 49 of the fixed shoulder 3 from above, and is dropped at the lower end of each guide pin 51 with a diameter larger than that of each guide hole 49. A prevention member 52 is attached.

  As a result, the fixed shoulder 3 is guided in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding guide pin 51 by the respective guide holes 49, so that the moving direction of the fixed shoulder 3 is the rotation drive shaft 42 and the probe. Only the direction along the axial direction of 2 is set.

  When the fixed shoulder 3 is not in contact with the workpieces 6a and 6b, the peripheral edge of each guide hole 49 is locked to the drop-off preventing member 52 at the lower end of each guide pin 51. Thus, the rotary drive shaft 42 and the probe 2 are supported in a state in which they are prevented from falling off from the outside.

  In the friction stir welding tool 1 having the above-described configuration, the workpiece contact surfaces 44a and 44b of the fixed shoulder 3 are bonded to the workpieces 6a and 6b held on the X-axis table 10 via a jig 23, respectively. It is possible to make contact with each other by pressing 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 7 between the workpieces 6a and 6b. The probe 2 that protrudes downward from the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3 in this state can also be arranged at the position of the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6a and 6b.

  Furthermore, when the fixed stirrer 3 is brought into contact with the workpieces 6a and 6b and the probe 2 is immersed in the joining portion of the workpieces 6a and 6b with a predetermined immersion amount, the friction stir welding tool 1 is moved to the coil spring 4. Due to the restoring force, the fixed shoulder 3 is pressed against the surfaces of the workpieces 6a and 6b with a predetermined pressing force required to perform the good friction stir welding.

  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 6a and 6b are cured on the X-axis table 10. It is held via the tool 23.

  Next, the friction stir welding tool 1 is moved in the Z-axis direction according to the positions of the workpieces 6a and 6b held on the X-axis table 10 by the Z-axis table 12 and the Y-axis table 13 in the spindle positioning mechanism 8. It arrange | positions in a position and a Y-axis direction position.

  At this time, in the spindle positioning mechanism 8, the probe 2 of the friction stir welding tool 1 is arranged at a position near one end side that is the friction stir welding start side in the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6 a and 6 b by positioning control. . As a result, the fixed shoulder 3 has both the two workpiece contact surfaces 44a and 44b in contact with the corresponding surfaces of the workpieces 6a and 6b, and the V-shaped apex at the lower end of the fixed shoulder 3 is The workpieces 6a and 6b are disposed so as to be in contact with the upper side of one end portion of the joining line 7. Further, in this state, the fixed shoulder 3 has a predetermined pressing force required to perform good friction stir welding of the workpieces 6a and 6b by a restoring force from the compression deformation state of the coil spring 4. Thus, it is pressed against the workpieces 6a and 6b.

  Next, the Z-axis table 12 is set to a desired control mode of position control or pressure control for the probe 2.

  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 5 and then the operation of the X axis table 10 is started. The workpieces 6a and 6b 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 7 between the workpieces 6a and 6b, so that the friction stir welding of the workpieces 6a and 6b is started, and then the X axis By continuing the movement of the workpieces 6a and 6b along the X-axis direction by the operation of the table 10, the friction stir welding along the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6a and 6b proceeds.

  At this time, in the state where the position of the probe 2 is controlled by the Z-axis table 12, the friction stir welding tool 1 sets the tip position of the probe 2 relative to the joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b. It is possible to immerse the material of the workpieces 6a and 6b to be softened at the portion up to an appropriate immersing amount for stirring. Further, when the friction stir welding is advanced, the height position of the fixed shoulder 3 is caused by the deformation of the coil spring 4 even if the surface height position of the workpieces 6 a and 6 b slightly varies. It is automatically adjusted to follow the surfaces of the workpieces 6a and 6b. In addition, even if the coil spring 4 is slightly deformed from the initial compression deformation state to the expansion / contraction side or the compression side, the restoring force does not change significantly. For this reason, the pressing pressure of the fixed shoulder 3 against the workpieces 6a and 6b is maintained substantially constant without being excessive or excessive. Therefore, in the joint portion of the workpieces 6a and 6b where the friction stir welding is performed by the probe 2, the fixed shoulder 3 is the material of the softened workpieces 6a and 6b stirred by the probe 2 at the joint portion. It will come to be pressed with an appropriate pressing force for molding so as not to protrude beyond the surfaces of 6a and 6b.

  On the other hand, when the pressing force of the probe 2 is controlled by the Z-axis table 12, the spring constant of the coil spring 4 in the friction stir welding tool 1 is known, and the probe 2 is used as a joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b. Since the amount of compressive deformation of the coil spring 4 due to the displacement of the fixed shoulder 3 when immersing the coil spring 4 is almost predictable, the restoring force of the coil spring 4 causes the fixed shoulder 3 to become a joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b. It is also possible to assume a reaction force when pressing against it. Therefore, in the Z-axis table 12, by applying a load to the probe 2 in consideration of the desired pressing force of the probe 2 and the force for canceling the assumed reaction force, the workpiece of the probe 2 is applied. The pressing force for 6a and 6b can be controlled to a desired value.

  When the friction stir welding is advanced by appropriate pressing pressure control of the probe 2, if the surface height position of the workpieces 6a and 6b slightly varies, the pressing pressure of the probe 2 is kept constant. In order to do this, the height position of the probe 2 may be changed by the Z-axis table 12, but even in this case, the height position of the fixed shoulder 3 is different from that of the workpiece 6 a by deformation of the coil spring 4. It is automatically adjusted to follow the surface of 6b. Therefore, in this case as well, the pressing force of the fixed shoulder 3 against the workpieces 6a and 6b is maintained substantially constant as in the case of the position control of the probe 2 described above, so that friction stir welding is performed. At the joint between the workpieces 6a and 6b, the fixed shoulder 3 is pressed with the appropriate pressing force.

  Further, in the friction stir welding tool 1, when either one of the workpiece contact surfaces 44a and 44b of the fixed shoulder 3 comes into contact with the corresponding surface of the workpieces 6a and 6b, the coil spring 4 is deformed. Since the position of the fixed shoulder 3 is automatically adjusted by this, the possibility that the position of the probe 2 cannot be maintained or the pressing force of the probe 2 against the workpieces 6a and 6b is changed is eliminated. can do.

  Therefore, the friction stir welding of the workpieces 6a and 6b constructed by the friction stir welding tool 1 can stabilize the construction state.

  After the friction stir welding is performed over the entire length of the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6a and 6b, both the Z-axis table 12 and the Y-axis table 13 are set to the position control mode, and the friction stir welding tool 1 is used. The spindle unit 5 is withdrawn to a position where it does not interfere with the friction stir welded workpieces 6a and 6b, and the rotation drive of the probe 2 is stopped so that the workpieces 6a and 6b are ejected. do it.

  Thus, according to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention, the friction stir welding of the fillet can be performed at the position along the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6a and 6b.

  The friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention performs construction management by focusing (focusing on) only the tip position of the probe 2 or the pressing load when performing the friction stir welding of the workpieces 6a and 6b. Therefore, it is possible to realize the friction stir welding with high reproducibility and stable quality.

  In addition, in the friction stir welding of the fillets of the workpieces 6a and 6b, there is a risk that the fixed shoulder 3 may come into contact with the workpieces 6a and 6b. 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 tool 1 can change the protruding amount of the probe 2 that protrudes below the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3 by deformation of the coil spring 4. Even if the coil spring 4 is deformed to some extent as the protrusion amount changes, it is possible to prevent a significant change in the pressing force applied to the fixed shoulder 3 by the restoring force of the coil spring 4 against the workpieces 6a and 6b.

  Therefore, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention can construct the friction stir welding of the workpieces 6a and 6b having different thickness dimensions without exchanging the friction stir welding tool 1. Moreover, when performing friction stir welding, the immersion amount of the probe 2 with respect to the workpieces 6a and 6b 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 6a and 6b having various thicknesses and various materials.

  In the embodiment described above, the coil spring 4 provided on the stepped portion 46 side of the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3 in the friction stir welding tool 1 and the stepped portion 43 of the rotational drive shaft 42 of the probe 2 are interposed. The thrust bearing 47 is exemplified as the bearing to be used. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the radial bearing 53 is interposed between the coil spring 4 and the stepped portion 43 of the rotary drive shaft 42. It is good.

  In this case, if one of the outer ring 53a and the inner ring 53b of the radial bearing 53 is attached to the stepped portion 43 side of the rotational drive shaft 42 of the probe 2, and the other is attached to the coil spring 4 side. Good. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the inner ring 53b is attached to the stepped portion 43 side of the rotary drive shaft 42 and the outer ring 53a is attached to the coil spring 4 side via a ring-shaped attachment member 54.

  As the radial bearing 53, any type of radial bearing such as a deep groove bearing or an angular bearing may be adopted.

  The same effect as described above can be obtained also by the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention provided with the friction stir welding tool 1 having such a configuration.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows another example of the friction stir welding tool having the same configuration as that of FIGS. 1 to 3A and 3B as still another embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, the friction stir welding tool in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment is indicated by reference numeral 1A in FIG. 5 and has the same configuration as the friction stir welding tool 1 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Instead of a configuration in which the coil spring 4 is interposed together with the thrust bearing 47 between the stepped portion 46 of the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3 and each stepped portion 43 of the rotary drive shaft 42 of the probe 2, each guide A configuration is provided in which an individual coil spring 4 a is interposed between the flange portion 48 of the fixed shoulder 3 on the outer periphery of the pin 51 and the lower end portion of the casing 50 of the spindle unit 5.

  It is assumed that the natural length of each coil spring 4a is set in the same manner as the coil spring 4 shown in FIG.

  The spring constant of each coil spring 4a is the sum of the restoring forces of all the coil springs 4a that are compressed and deformed when the probe 2 protrudes downward from the probe insertion hole 45 of the fixed shoulder 3. However, it is assumed that the coil spring 4 shown in FIG. 3A is set to be equivalent to the restoring force when it is similarly compressed and deformed.

  Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A and 3B, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  By using the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment as well as the friction stir welding apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A and 3B, the same effect can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, each coil spring 4 is interposed between the fixed shoulder 3 that is a component that does not rotate together and the casing 50 of the spindle unit 5. A bearing can be made unnecessary, and the cost required for manufacturing and maintaining the apparatus can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, The fixed type in the friction stir welding tool 1 of embodiment of FIG. 1 thru | or 3 (a) (b) and embodiment of FIG. A spring member interposed together with a bearing 47 or 53 between the stepped portion 46 of the probe insertion hole 45 of the shoulder 3 and the stepped portion 43 of the rotary drive shaft 42 of the probe 2, and the friction stirrer of the embodiment of FIG. The spring member interposed between the fixed shoulder 3 in the joining tool 1A and the lower end of the casing of the spindle unit 5 biases the fixed shoulder 3 in the direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the probe 2. As long as it is possible to do so, a disc spring or any other type of spring member other than the coil springs 4 and 4a may be employed. Furthermore, if the fixed shoulder 3 can be urged in the direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the probe 2 and has heat resistance against heat acting during the friction stir welding, the coil An arbitrary elastic member may be used instead of the spring members such as the springs 4 and 4a. In this case, the spring constant of the arbitrary spring member or elastic member is determined in the same manner as the method for setting the spring constant of the coil springs 4 and 4a, so that the probe 2 is immersed in the joint portion of the workpieces 6a and 6b. With the adjustment of the amount or the pressing pressure, even if the effect that the pressing pressure on the joint portion of the fixed shoulder 3 can be properly controlled and the position of the surfaces of the workpieces 6a and 6b slightly change, It is possible to obtain an effect that a significant change in the pressing pressure of the fixed shoulder 3 can be prevented.

  If the moving direction of the fixed shoulder 3 can be guided so as to be along the axial direction of the probe 2, for example, the casing 50 of the main spindle unit 5 can be guided to the axial direction of the probe 2. A linear guide extending in parallel with the linear guide is installed, and the fixed body 3 is installed on the casing 50 of the spindle unit 5 by adopting a guide means in which the fixed shoulder 3 is attached via a support arm. Any type of guide means other than the configuration including the guide pin 51 and the guide hole 49 provided in the fixed shoulder 3 may be employed. In this case, the elastic member for urging the fixed shoulder 3 in the direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the probe 2 is between the casing 50 of the spindle unit 5 and the moving body of the linear guide. You may make it provide by interposing.

  As long as the X-axis table 10, the Z-axis table 12, and the Y-axis table 13 can move the respective table bodies 16, 26, and 35 in the corresponding axial directions, a linear motion mechanism using trapezoidal screws, Any type of linear motion mechanism other than the ball screw linear motion mechanisms 17, 27, 36, such as a linear motion mechanism using a rack and a pinion, or a linear motion mechanism using a hydraulic cylinder, may be employed.

  As long as the load measuring means provided in the Z-axis table 12 can measure the pressing force of the probe 2 against the workpieces 6a and 6b, the installation location may be changed as appropriate, and any load cell other than the load cell may be used. A type of load measuring means 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 44a and 44b, and an inclined surface sandwiching the joining line 7 of the workpieces 6a and 6b for joining fillet As long as the shape can be arranged along the shape, the shape on the upper side may be any shape.

  The jig 23 provided on the X-axis table 10 for holding the workpieces 6a and 6b prevents the workpieces 6a and 6b arranged along the inclined surfaces of the V-shaped grooves 23b of the support block 23a from being displaced. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the end surfaces of the workpieces 6a and 6b arranged along the slopes of the V-shaped groove 23b located on the upper end side of the slopes as shown in FIG. In addition, the pressing members 23c may be fixed to the support block 23a via the bolts 23d in a state where the pressing members 23c are arranged to be pressed. The other configurations in FIG. 6 are the same as those shown in FIG. 3A, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Furthermore, the workpieces 6a and 6b are fixed to the support block 23a 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.

  Furthermore, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present invention is configured so that the fixed shoulder 3 of the friction stir welding tool 1 has a shape with a flat bottom end, and friction stir welding between the butted ends of two workpieces arranged on the same plane. You may apply to.

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

1, 1A Friction stir welding tool 2 Probe 3 Fixed shoulder 4, 4a Coil spring (elastic member)
5 Spindle unit 6a, 6b Work piece 7 Join line 42 Rotation drive shaft 44a, 44b Work piece contact surface 45 Probe insertion hole 51 Guide pin (guide means)

Claims (4)

A probe having a proximal end connected to the distal end portion of the rotational drive shaft of the spindle unit, and a probe insertion hole for allowing the probe and the rotational drive shaft to pass therethrough, and a proximal end side of the probe and a distal end side of the rotational drive shaft A friction stir welding tool composed of a fixed shoulder disposed on the outer periphery of
Guide means for supporting the fixed shoulder so as to be movable in a direction along the axial direction of the probe in a state where the probe protrudes from the probe insertion hole ,
A friction stir welding apparatus comprising: an elastic member for urging the fixed shoulder in a direction from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the probe. The elastic member, the protruding amount from the probe insertion hole of the fixing shoulder of the probe, a work corresponding dimensions to a predetermined immersion amount to the bonding portion of the work of the probe, or the probe at a predetermined pressing force when the probe when pressed to the junction is corresponding dimensions and immersion amount that is supposed to immersion into junction, so that the restoring force of the elastic member corresponds to the pushing pressure against the fixed shoulder of the workpiece The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a spring constant of the elastic member is set. The stationary shoulder, corner friction stir according to claim 1 or 2, wherein was equipped composed constitutes the lower end by two work contact surface for contacting the respective inclined surfaces across the bondline meat bonding target workpiece Joining device. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixed shoulder has a flat bottom end.

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