JP6540794B2 - Friction stir welding machine - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a friction stir welding apparatus used for friction stir welding of a joint between workpieces.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-054606, filed March 18, 2015, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The friction stir welding tool (tool for friction stir welding) used in the friction stir welding apparatus includes a type equipped with a rotary shoulder that rotates integrally with the probe, and a rotary probe and a non-rotating fixed shoulder. The format is known.

  As a friction stir welding tool provided with a fixed shoulder, the fixed shoulder abuts on both work surfaces forming the corner in order to friction stir weld a corner (inner corner) of the workpieces to be joined. Shapes with faces are known.

  As a friction stir welding apparatus using the friction stir welding tool for corner corner welding as described above, a horizontal first work (horizontal member) and a second work (standing member erected thereon) are provided. An apparatus has conventionally been proposed (for example, friction stir welding of two corner portions formed by butt jointing with each other) from both sides of a second workpiece erected using a pair of friction stir welding tools (for example, , Patent Document 1).

  This friction stir welding apparatus includes a gate-shaped frame (gate post) arranged to straddle the workpiece. The second work is erected on the first work by pressing the second work erected from above from above and pressing it against the horizontal first work by the pressing mechanism provided on the frame Hold the bonding posture. In this state, the friction stir welding of the corner portions is performed by pressing the pair of friction stir welding tools to the corner portions between the works by another pressing mechanism provided on the frame.

  When performing friction stir welding of a corner with a friction stir welding tool equipped with a fixed shoulder, a filler is added to form a curved surface (fillet due to overlaying) at the corner after welding. A method referred to as has also been proposed conventionally (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-166159

Tetsuo Fukuda, Takao Kakuhari, "The latest FSW process development status and patent information of TWI", Welding technology, Sangyo Shimbun Co., Ltd., June 2011, Vol. 59, No. 6, p. 57-60

  In the friction stir welding apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when performing friction stir welding, when the friction stir welding tool is pressed to a corner, the reaction force of the pressing load is input to the frame.

  At this time, the accuracy of the joining posture of the erected second workpiece held by the posture holding pressing mechanism is influenced by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool.

  Non-Patent Document 1 does not particularly show means for holding the bonding posture of a work having a corner portion to be bonded at the time of friction stir welding.

  The present disclosure is a friction stir welding that can friction stir weld a joint between workpieces while holding a joining posture of workpieces to be joined without being affected by a reaction force of a pressing load of a friction stir welding tool. It aims at providing a joining device.

  A friction stir welding apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is formed separately from a welding apparatus main body including a friction stir welding tool for friction stir welding a joint between a plurality of workpieces in contact with each other, and the welding apparatus main body separately. And a work clamp unit having rolling elements configured to hold the work when performing friction stir welding of the joint.

  According to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present disclosure, the joint between the works is friction stirred while holding the bonding posture of the works to be joined in a state not affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool. It can be joined.

It is a schematic side view of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is an AA arrow direction view of FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows a portion of a friction stir welding tool of a friction stir welding apparatus of a 1st embodiment. It is a BB direction arrow line view of FIG. 4A. It is the enlarged view which looked at the joining apparatus main body of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment along the direction to which a workpiece | movement moves at the time of friction stir welding. It is a side view which expands and shows the work clamp unit of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view on arrow C-C in FIG. 6. It is a top view which expands and shows the work table of the workpiece | work holding part of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view expanding and showing a work table of a work attaching part of a friction stir welding apparatus of a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the movement path of the table of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view showing an axial orthogonal direction moving unit in a tool pressing portion of the welding device main body of FIG. It is a DD direction arrow line view of FIG. It is a partially cutaway view which shows the axial direction movement unit in the tool press part of the joining apparatus main body of FIG. It is an EE arrow directional view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the work clamp unit of the friction stir welding apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

  The friction stir welding apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the friction stir welding apparatus of the first embodiment. 2 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows AA in FIG. FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a portion of the friction stir welding tool in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 4B is a view taken in the direction of arrows B in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the welding device main body in the first embodiment, viewed along the direction in which the workpiece moves at the time of friction stir welding. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the work clamp unit in the first embodiment. 7 is a view in the direction of arrows C-C in FIG. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the work table in the first embodiment in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 8B is a side view showing the work table in an enlarged manner. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the table movement path in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cutaway view showing an axial orthogonal direction moving unit in the tool pressing portion of the welding device main body. FIG. 11 is a view on arrow D-D in FIG. FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway view showing an axial movement unit in the tool pressing portion of the welding device main body. FIG. 13 is a view on arrow E-E in FIG.

  In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second work W1 and the second work W1 are abutted with each other at a predetermined angle so as to intersect with the plane P1 of the first work W1. The two corner portions (inner corner portions) c1 and c2 formed by the work W2 and the workpiece W2 are subjected to friction stir welding. In the present embodiment, as an example, the surface P1 of the first work W1 is disposed horizontally, and the second work W2 is vertically butted against the surface P1 of the first work W1 from above. Will be explained.

  For convenience of explanation, the directions in which the corner portions c1 and c2 extend are the x-axis direction, the direction parallel to the surface P1 of the first work W1 in a plane perpendicular to the x-axis direction is the y-axis direction, the x-axis direction A three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is set in which the z-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to both the y-axis directions. In the present embodiment, since the xy plane along the plane P1 of the first work W1 is a horizontal plane, the z-axis direction is a vertical direction, and the second work W2 is disposed along the xz plane which is a vertical plane. .

  In the present disclosure, the xy plane indicates a plane along the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, the xz plane indicates a plane along the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction, and the yz plane indicates the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction Show the plane along. The xy plane, the xz plane, and the yz plane do not mean the plane where the position is specified.

  In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the welding apparatus main body 5 placed on the surface of the gantry 8 is joined to the first work W1 and the second work W2. A work table 10 arranged in a posture, a table moving path 11 (see FIG. 7) for guiding the movement of the work table 10 on the surface of the gantry 8 in the x-axis direction, and a moving mechanism 12 of the work table 10 are provided. Furthermore, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment includes a work clamp unit 9 formed separately from the welding apparatus body 5.

  In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the welding apparatus main body 5 provided with the friction stir welding tools 1 a and 1 b is installed on the gantry 8. , W2 are moved in one direction along the x-axis direction as shown by the arrow w in FIG. 1 and FIG. The friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b move relative to the corner portions c1 and c2 with the movement of the workpieces W1 and W2 to perform friction stir welding. The work clamp unit 9 is disposed on the front side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the tool relative movement direction t with respect to the welding device main body 5. The tool relative movement direction t is a direction in which the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b and the welding device main body 5 move relative to each other on the basis of the corner portions c1 and c2 when performing friction stir welding. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool relative movement direction t is opposite to the actual movement direction of the workpieces W1 and W2 (the direction indicated by the arrow w).

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the bonding device body 5 according to the present embodiment is used for bonding the corner c1 on the side face P2a of the second work W2 out of the two corners c1 and c2. It has the 1st friction stir welding tool 1a to be used, and the 2nd friction stir welding tool 1b used for joining of the corner part c2 by the side of the other side P2b.

  The first friction stir welding tool 1a includes a rotationally driveable probe 2a and a fixed shoulder 3a disposed on the outer periphery on the proximal end side of the probe 2a. The probe 2a is preferably arranged so that the axial direction of the probe 2a is parallel to the bisector of the angle of the corner portion c1 in the yz plane. In this embodiment, since the corner portion c1 is at a right angle, the axial center direction of the probe 2a is 45 degrees from the z-axis direction (vertical direction) along the second work W2 in the yz plane to the side P2a side It is arranged so as to make an inclined downward angle. In the fixed type shoulder 3a, two ends of the end portion of the probe 2a which are disposed near the tip end of the probe 2a are in contact with the surface P1 of the first work W1 and the side P2a of the second work W2 on which the corner portion c1 is formed. It is a chevron (V-shaped) provided with the work contact surface 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first friction stir welding tool 1a is attached to the tip side of a first spindle unit 6a provided with a rotational drive unit 7a for rotationally driving the probe 2a in the welding device main body 5 Used in the state.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second friction stir welding tool 1b includes a rotatably driven probe 2b and a fixed shoulder 3b disposed on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe 2b. The probe 2b is preferably arranged such that the axial direction of the probe 2b is parallel to the bisector of the angle of the corner c2 in the yz plane. In this embodiment, since the corner portion c2 is a right angle, the axial center direction of the probe 2b is 45 degrees from the z-axis direction (vertical direction) along the second work W2 in the yz plane to the other side P2b side It is arranged so as to make an inclined downward angle. In the fixed shoulder 3b, two ends of the end portion of the probe 2b, which are disposed close to the tip of the probe 2b, contact the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2b of the second workpiece W2 which form the corner c2. It is a chevron (V-shaped) provided with the work contact surface 4b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second friction stir welding tool 1b is attached to the tip side of a second spindle unit 6b having a rotational drive unit 7b for rotationally driving the probe 2b in the welding device main body 5, Used in the state.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the first friction stir welding tool 1a and the second friction stir welding tool 1b, the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b and the probes 2a and 2b are the first ones. It is disposed at the same position in the x-axis direction across the two workpieces W2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the spindle units 6a and 6b mounted with the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are arranged in a V shape along one yz plane.

  In the first friction stir welding tool 1a and the second friction stir welding tool 1b, as shown in FIG. 4B, the friction stir welding of the corner portion c1 and the corner portion c2 is performed on both sides of the second work W2 At the same time, the probes 2a and 2b to be immersed in the corner portions c1 and c2 and also the stirring regions s1 and s2 of the corner portions c1 and c2 by the probes 2a and 2b are not interfered with each other. The amount of protrusion of the fixed shoulders 2a and 2b from the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b is set.

  Thus, the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 formed by the first work W1 and the second work W2 by the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b is performed by the stirring region s1 by the probe 2a and the probe 2b The stirring region s2 is performed as partial stirring bonding which does not interfere with each other. For this reason, in the first work W1 and the second work W2 after joining, the first joined portion between the portion joined by the agitation in the agitation region s1 and the portion joined by the agitation in the agitation region s2 A part of the contact surface where the workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 contact each other remains.

  By arranging the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b as described above, the position where the pressing load directed to the corner portion c1 is applied to the first friction stir welding tool 1a, and the second friction stir welding tool 1b On the other hand, the position to which the pressing load directed to the corner portion c2 is applied matches in the x-axis direction. That is, a position at which a pressing load directed to the corner portion c1 is applied to the first friction stir welding tool 1a, and a position at which a pressing load directed to the corner portion c2 is applied to the second friction stir welding tool 1b. Are located in the same yz plane with the second workpiece W2 interposed therebetween. For this reason, it is prevented that a rotational moment is generated in the xy plane on the works W1 and W2 and the work table 10 described later due to the pressing load.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the bonding apparatus main body 5 includes a gate-shaped frame 13 disposed so as to straddle the table moving path 11 (see FIG. 9) along the y-axis direction.

  A first spindle unit 6 a is attached to one end side of the frame 13 in the y-axis direction via a first tool pressing portion 14. A second spindle unit 6 b is attached to the other end side of the frame 13 in the y-axis direction via a second tool pressing portion 15. The tool pressing portions 14 and 15 respectively adjust the positions of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b in the yz plane, and press the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b toward the corner portions c1 and c2. Apply a load. The specific configuration of the tool pressing portions 14 and 15 will be described later.

  The work clamp unit 9 is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the work clamp unit 9 is provided on the front side of the welding device main body 5 in the tool relative movement direction t (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) on the surface of the mount 8. The work clamp unit 9 includes a frame 16 which is separate from the bonding device body 5.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the frame 16 has a gate-shaped portion 17 arranged to straddle the table movement path 11 (see FIG. 9) along the y-axis direction, and a bonding device main body of the gate-shaped portion 17. And a protrusion 18 provided on the side facing the surface 5. The protrusion 18 has a shape which can be disposed in the space formed between the first spindle unit 6a and the second spindle unit 6b, as shown in FIG.

  A pair of guide rails 19 extending along the x-axis direction is provided at both ends in the y-axis direction of the gantry 8. Both end sides of the gate-shaped portion 17 of the frame 16 in the y-axis direction are slidably supported by a pair of guide rails 19 via a guide block 20, respectively. Thereby, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the frame 16 is disposed in the space between the first spindle unit 6a and the second spindle unit 6b as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and the friction stir welding tools 1a, 1b Between a proximity position in which the projection 18 is in the proximity state and a retraction position in which the projection 18 is away from the first spindle unit 6a and the second spindle unit 6b as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is movable along the guide rail 19. When the frame 16 is disposed at the close position, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, the projecting portion 18 is disposed above the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b.

  As shown in FIG. 6, frame fixing portions 21 for releasably fixing the frame 16 on the guide rails 19 are provided on both ends of the gate-shaped portion 17 in the y-axis direction. Thereby, the frame 16 can be fixed at an arbitrary position such as a proximity position shown by a solid line in FIG. If the frame 16 can be fixed at least at the proximity position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, it may not be fixed at other places. The frame fixing portion 21 may fix the frame 16 by clamping the guide rail 19. Further, as the frame fixing portion 21, a frame fixing means for fixing the frame 16 by another known method may be adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a pair of side clamp rollers 22 a and 22 b and a pair of side clamp rollers 22 c and 22 d are provided at two positions inside the gate-shaped portion 17 in the z-axis direction. The pair of side clamp rollers 22a and 22b and the pair of side clamp rollers 22c and 22d are a pair of rolling elements disposed opposite to each other along the y-axis direction, and both side surfaces P2a and P2b of the second work W2 Contact (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

  Of the pair of side clamp rollers 22a and 22b and the pair of side clamp rollers 22c and 22d, for example, the side clamp rollers 22a and 22c disposed on one side in the y-axis direction (right side in FIG. 7) It is attached to the portion 17 with the position fixed via the bracket 23. On the other hand, the side clamp rollers 22b and 22d disposed on the other side (left side in FIG. 7) in the y-axis direction are gate-shaped portions 17 via hydraulic cylinders 24 as pressing means disposed along the y-axis direction. Is attached to By operating the hydraulic cylinder 24 in a state in which the second work W2 is disposed between the side clamp rollers 22a and 22c and the side clamp rollers 22b and 22d, both side surfaces P2a of the second work W2 are obtained. The side clamp rollers 22a and 22c and the side clamp rollers 22b and 22d are pressed from P2b from both sides. Therefore, the position in the y-axis direction of the second workpiece W2 is held.

  As described above, by fixing the position of the side clamp rollers 22a and 22c on one side in the y-axis direction, the position at which the second workpiece W2 is held is referred to the fixed side clamp rollers 22a and 22c. Can be determined at the same position in the y-axis direction.

  The bracket 23 that supports the fixed side clamp rollers 22a and 22c may include an adjustment mechanism for the position of the side clamp rollers 22a and 22c in the y-axis direction. The bracket 23 may be provided with a scale for detecting the amount of adjustment of the position of the side clamp rollers 22a and 22c in the y-axis direction. In this way, for example, even when second workpieces W2 having different thicknesses are to be joined, it is possible to align the centers of the thicknesses of the second workpieces W2.

  A top clamp roller 25 a is provided on the end side of the gate-shaped portion 17 which is away from the gantry 8. The top clamp roller 25a is a rolling element pressed against the end of the second workpiece W2 opposite to the first workpiece W1. The top clamp roller 25a is attached to the gate-shaped portion 17 via a hydraulic cylinder 26 as pressing means disposed in the yz plane in the direction along the surface of the second workpiece W2, ie, in the present embodiment, in the z axis direction. It is done.

  When the hydraulic cylinder 26 is extended in a state where the top clamp roller 25a is disposed in contact with the end of the second workpiece W2, the second workpiece W2 is pressed against the first workpiece W1. The first work W1 is pressed against the work table 10 by the pressing force received from the second work W2. Therefore, the positions in the z-axis direction of the first work W1 and the second work W2 are held.

  The projecting portion 18 is provided with a pair of side clamp rollers 22e and 22f and a top clamp roller 25b as rolling elements. The pair of side clamp rollers 22 e and 22 f have the same configuration as the pair of side clamp rollers 22 a and 22 b provided in the portal 17. The side clamp roller 22 f is supported by the projection 18 via the hydraulic cylinder 24. The top clamp roller 25 b has a configuration similar to that of the top clamp roller 25 a provided to the gate-shaped portion 17, and is supported by the projecting portion 18 via the hydraulic cylinder 26. When the projection 18 is disposed in the space between the first spindle unit 6a and the second spindle unit 6b as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of side clamp rollers 22e, 22f and the top clamp roller 25b The friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b (see FIG. 3) may be disposed at the same position in the z-axis direction or at a position closer to the tool relative movement direction t than the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b preferable.

  It is preferable that the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b have two roller bodies arranged side by side in the x-axis direction. With such a configuration, the displacement in the y-axis direction or the z-axis direction from the posture along the x-axis direction of the second workpiece W2 is more reliably prevented.

  When the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b have two sets of roller bodies as described above, a roller frame holding two sets of roller bodies of the side clamp rollers 22a, 22c and 22e It is preferable that the bracket 23 be attached to the bracket 23 so as to be able to swing in the x-axis direction. Similarly, a roller frame (not shown) holding a double roller body of side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, 22f and top clamp rollers 25a, 25b swings in the x-axis direction to hydraulic cylinders 24, 26. It is preferred that it be mounted as possible. Further, it is preferable that the outer circumferential surfaces of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the roller bodies of the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b be crowned.

  Generally, it is difficult to manufacture a long member with no runout or deformation over its entire length. The side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b of the work clamp unit 9 swing in the x-axis direction, and on the outer peripheral surfaces of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b. Even if the second workpiece W2 has a shake or deformation in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) by adopting the configuration to be subjected to crowning, the roller body follows the shake or the deformation. can do.

  When performing friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 of the works W1 and W2 using the work clamp unit 9 having the above configuration, first, the frame 16 is disposed at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. The fixing unit 21 fixes the position on the gantry 8.

  In this state, the pair of side clamp rollers 22a and 22b, the pair of side clamp rollers 22c and 22d, and the pair of side clamp rollers 22e and 22f of the work clamp unit 9 are the position of the second work W2 in the y-axis direction. The top clamp rollers 25a and 25b hold the positions of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 in the z-axis direction.

  If the pair of side clamp rollers 22a and 22b, the pair of side clamp rollers 22c and 22d, and the pair of side clamp rollers 22e and 22f can hold the position of the second workpiece W2 in the y-axis direction, the second It does not have to be in contact with the workpiece W2 of The top clamp rollers 25a and 25b may not necessarily be in contact with the second workpiece W2 as long as the positions of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 in the z-axis direction can be held.

  Thereby, the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 are located near the portion where the friction stir welding is performed and on the front side of the tool relative movement direction t with respect to the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. A portion just before a certain friction stir welding is performed is held by the work clamp unit 9 in the bonding posture.

  When the friction stir welding is performed, the frame 13 on which the spindle units 6a and 6b are supported receives a reaction force of a pressing load applied to the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. On the other hand, the work clamp unit 9 is provided with a separate frame 16 independent of the frame 13. Therefore, even if the workpiece clamping unit 9 holds the workpieces W1 and W2 in the joining posture, the workpiece clamping unit 9 is not influenced by the reaction force of the pressing load exerted on the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b.

  When the friction stir welding is not performed, the fixing of the work clamp unit 9 to the mount 8 by the frame fixing unit 21 is released, and the work clamp unit 9 is shown in FIG. Place it at a retracted position away from. In this state, since the projection 18 is exposed, the operator can easily approach the side clamp rollers 22e and 22f and the top clamp roller 25b to perform inspection and maintenance work.

  Further, in a state where the work clamp unit 9 is retracted, the work clamp is obtained from the first spindle unit 6a and the first friction stir welding tool 1a, and the second spindle unit 6b and the second friction stir welding tool 1b. Unit 9 is away. For this reason, when the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 is started, the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are applied to the corner portions c1 and c2 between the workpieces W1 and W2 actually disposed on the work table 10 The work of performing the alignment can be performed visually. Furthermore, in this state, the operator can easily approach the spindle units 6a and 6b and the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b to perform inspection and maintenance work.

  The direction in which the work clamp unit 9 is moved between the proximity position when performing the friction stir welding shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 and the retracted position shown by the alternate long and two short dashes line in FIG. The direction of movement of the works W1 and W2 arranged on the work table 10 in the table movement path 11 is the same.

  Therefore, even if the work clamp unit 9 is moved, the relative arrangement of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f in the y-axis direction with respect to the works W1 and W2 disposed on the work table 10 moving the table moving path 11 The relative arrangement of the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b in the z-axis direction with respect to the works W1 and W2 disposed on the table 10 does not change. In addition, even when part or all of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b are in contact with the second workpiece W2, the movement of the workpiece clamp unit 9 is not hindered.

  Therefore, even if the work clamp unit 9 is reciprocated between the close position and the retracted position, it is possible to maintain the bonding posture of the works W1 and W2.

  The dimension in the x-axis direction of the work table 10 is longer than the dimension in the x-axis direction of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8A, one end face of the first work W1 in the y-axis direction is butted against one side of the surface 27 of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction of the area 27 where the first work W1 is disposed. A stepped portion 28 for positioning is provided. On the other side of the area 27 in the y-axis direction, y-axis direction clamps 29 and z-axis direction clamps 30 are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals along the x-axis direction.

  The y-axis direction clamp 29 sandwiches and fixes the first workpiece W1 with the step 28 along the y-axis direction. The z-axis direction clamp 30 clamps and fixes the other end edge of the first work W1 in the y-axis direction between the first work W1 and the surface of the work table 10 along the z-axis direction.

  An end pressing member 31a for preventing displacement of the work piece 10 in the x-axis direction by abutting both end faces of the first work W1 and the second work W2 in the x-axis direction on surfaces on both sides of the work table 10 in the x-axis direction. , 31b are provided. The end pressing members 31a and 31b do not necessarily have to abut the end faces of both the first work W1 and the second work W2, and can not be directly held by the clamps 29 and 30 on the work table 10. The second work W2 may be configured to be reliably moved together with the work table 10. From this point of view, the end pressing members 31a and 31b may be brought into contact with at least only the end surface of the second workpiece W2 in the x-axis direction.

  The end pressing members 31a and 31b have, for example, a horizontal plate portion 32 having the same thickness dimension as the first work W1, and a vertical plate portion 33 having the same thickness dimension as the second work W2 They are butted at a similar angle to the butting angle of the second work W2 with respect to the first work W1 and are integrally formed. In the present embodiment, the end pressing members 31a and 31b have an inverted T-shaped structure in which the vertical plate portion 33 is butted to the horizontal plate portion 32 in a vertical arrangement and integrated.

  Both the horizontal plate portion 32 and the vertical plate portion 33 of the end portion pressing members 31 a and 31 b extend along the x-axis direction, and the horizontal plate portion 32 is attached to the surface of the work table 10.

  The vertical plate portion 33 is provided with a holder 34 which holds the end edge of the second workpiece W2 in the x-axis direction from both sides in the y-axis direction.

  The front end side in the direction of advancing the work table 10 at the time of performing the friction stir welding, that is, one end presser disposed at the start end of the friction stir welding at the corner portions c1 and c2 (right side in FIG. 11) The member 31 a is preferably provided so as to be changeable in the x-axis direction at the attachment position to the work table 10. In this case, even if the dimensions in the x-axis direction of the first work W1 and the second work W2 to be subjected to friction stir welding change, the attachment position of one end pressing member 31a to the work table 10 is changed Thus, both end portions of the first work W1 and the second work W2 can be disposed in abutment with the end portion pressing members 31a and 31b. Therefore, even in the case of performing the friction stir welding of the first work W1 and the second work W2 having different dimensions in the x-axis direction, the common work table 10 can be used. The end pressing member 31a can easily hold the first work W1 and the second work W2 to the work clamp unit 9 in a state in which the joining posture of the first work W1 and the second work W2 is held. The work table 10 is preferably provided for introduction, but may not be provided.

  At both ends in the y-axis direction on the back surface of the work table 10, two racks 35 extending in the x-axis direction are provided over the entire length.

  In order to move the work table 10 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B) in the x-axis direction to the center of the y-axis direction of the gantry 8 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Table movement path 11 is set.

  The table moving path 11 is provided with a bottom guide roller 36, a side guide roller 37, and a top guide roller 38 disposed along the table moving path 11 as guide means for guiding the movement of the work table 10 in the x-axis direction. Prepare.

  The bottom guide roller 36 supports the back surface of the work table 10, which moves in the x-axis direction along the table moving path 11 (see FIG. 9), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, at a position not interfering with the rack 35. . As shown in FIG. 9, a large number of bottom guide rollers 36 are provided in a staggered manner, for example, in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction inside the table moving path 11 on the surface of the gantry 8. The bottom guide roller 36 is disposed more densely than the other portions in the portion where the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b of the welding device main body 5 are disposed (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and in the x axis direction. Is preferred. This is because when performing friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 of the first work W1 and the second work W2 held by the work table 10, the friction stir welding tool 1a, at the corner portions c1 and c2 This is because the component in the z-axis direction of the load generated by pressing 1b (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) is received by more bottom guide rollers 36.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side guide rollers 37 support both side surfaces of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the side guide rollers 37 are arranged on both sides of the table moving path 11 in the y-axis direction on the surface of the gantry 8 at predetermined intervals in the x-axis direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top guide roller 38 abuts on both ends of the surface of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction. The top guide rollers 38 are provided on both sides of the table moving path 11 in the y-axis direction on the surface of the gantry 8 as shown in FIG. 9. The top guide rollers 38 are provided two by two at predetermined intervals on both sides of the portion (see FIG. 2) in which the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b of the welding device main body 5 are disposed in the x-axis direction. Provided as a set of The reason why the top guide rollers 38 are provided in sets of two in this way is to more reliably prevent the work table 10 from tilting in the z-axis direction. The top guide rollers 38 may be provided in an arrangement other than two pairs.

  Thereby, in the table movement path 11, the work is performed while the displacement of the work table 10 in the z-axis direction and the y-axis direction is restrained by the bottom guide roller 36, the side guide roller 37, and the top guide roller 38. The movement of the table 10 in the x-axis direction is guided.

  The position of the side guide roller 37 and the top guide roller 38 provided on one side in the y-axis direction of the table movement path 11 is fixed, while the position of the table movement path 11 on the other side in the y-axis direction is fixed. Preferably, the positions of the side guide roller 37 and the top guide roller 38 in the y-axis direction can be adjusted. This is to arrange the side guide roller 37 and the top guide roller 38 in accordance with the dimensions of the work table 10 to be actually used.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9, the moving mechanism 12 is provided below the table moving path 11 (see FIG. 9) in the rack 8 and is a pair of pinion gears that can mesh with the rack 35 of the work table 10. It has 39. It is preferable that the pinion gear 39 be disposed in the vicinity of a position immediately below the portion where the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b of the welding device body 5 are disposed in the x-axis direction, as shown in FIG. This is to enable application of a driving force in the x-axis direction to the work table 10 in the vicinity of the location where the friction stir welding is performed.

  The pair of pinion gears 39 are connected to each other by a rotating shaft 41 in the y-axis direction supported by the bearing 40 (see FIG. 9). One end of the rotating shaft 41 is connected to the output side of a reduction gear 42 provided inside the gantry 8, and a driving motor 43 such as a servomotor is connected to the reduction gear 42.

  In the moving mechanism 12 having the above configuration, when the drive motor 43 rotates the pinion gear 39 together with the rotation shaft 41 via the reduction gear 42, the work table 10 is integrated with the rack 35 meshed with the pinion gear 39, It moves in the x-axis direction along the table movement path 11. The moving mechanism 12 can reciprocate the work table 10 along the table moving path 11 by switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment supports a portion of the works W1 and W2 that protrudes from the pedestal 8 of the work table 10 in order to hold the works W1 and W2 in an auxiliary manner. The table support base 44 is provided.

  The table support base 44 is disposed outside the gantry 8 on the extension of the table movement path 11 (see FIG. 9). A bottom guide roller 45 for supporting the back surface of the work table 10 at a position not interfering with the rack 35, and a side guide roller 46 for supporting both side surfaces of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction are provided on the upper surface of the table support base 44. Be

  The table support base 44 is provided with a traveling wheel 47 and a liftable support leg 48 at the bottom in order to be easily installed or removed depending on the use situation.

  The support legs 48 can be disposed in a state of being lowered so as to protrude below the lower end of the traveling wheel 47 and in a state of being raised above the lower end of the traveling wheel 47.

  As raising and lowering means of the support leg 48, for example, a support 49 having a screw formed on the support leg 48 is provided, a nut member 50 is provided on the table support base 44, and the support 49 is rotated relative to the nut member 50. The support legs 48 may be raised and lowered relative to the table support base 44.

  The table support 44 supports the workpieces W1 and W2 in a case where the workpieces W1 and W2 do not protrude from the gantry 8 or when it is not necessary to support a portion where the workpieces W1 and W2 protrude from the pedestal 8. The table support 44 may be omitted if it is not necessary to hold it.

  Next, the first tool pressing portion 14 and the second tool pressing portion 15 of the welding device main body 5 will be described.

  The first tool pressing unit 14 includes a first axial orthogonal moving unit 51 and a first axial moving unit 52. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, between the first spindle unit 6a and one end side of the frame 13 in the y-axis direction, the first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51 is sequentially arranged from the frame 13 side. And a first axial movement unit 52 is interposed.

  The second tool pressing unit 15 includes a second axial orthogonal moving unit 53 and a second axial moving unit 54. Between the other end side of the frame 13 in the y-axis direction and the second spindle unit 6b, a second axial orthogonal direction moving unit 53 and a second axial direction moving unit 54 are sequentially interposed from the frame 13 side. Be disguised.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 10, and 11, the first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51 is a direction along the axial center direction of the probe 2a (see FIG. 4) in the yz plane. It is configured to move in a direction (hereinafter referred to as q-axis direction) orthogonal to (hereinafter referred to as p-axis direction).

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first axially orthogonal moving unit 51 includes a base plate 55 attached to the frame 13 and a guide provided on the base plate 55 so as to extend in the q-axis direction. A rail 56, a moving table 58 slidably attached to the guide rail 56 via a guide block 57, and a ball as a q-axis linear moving mechanism for moving the moving table 58 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 56 And a screw mechanism 59.

  The ball screw mechanism 59 includes a servomotor 60, a screw shaft 61 connected to the output side of the servomotor 60, and a nut member 62 attached to the screw shaft 61.

  The ball screw mechanism 59 is installed on the surface of the base plate 55 in a posture in which the screw shaft 61 extends in parallel with the guide rail 56. The nut member 62 of the ball screw mechanism 59 is attached to the movable table 58 via the load cell 63 and the attachment member 64.

  The first axial orthogonal direction moving unit 51 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 61 by the driving force of the servomotor 60 so that the moving table 58 is along the guide rail 56 together with the nut member 62. At the same time, move in the q-axis direction.

  In the first axial orthogonal direction moving unit 51, the moving table 58 can be moved along the guide rail 56 without control while the driving force by the servomotor 60 is stopped.

  A mechanical gravity compensation mechanism (self-weight compensation mechanism, weight compensation mechanism, etc.) supporting the weight of the moving table 58 and the component of the weight acting on the moving table 58 in the direction along the guide rail 56 For example, a gas spring 65 disposed along the q-axis direction is provided as a mechanism).

  One end side of the gas spring 65 is attached to the fixing point of the base plate 55, and the other end side of the gas spring 65 is attached to the moving table 58. The weight acting on the moving table 58 is the weight of the nut member 62, the load cell 63, the mounting member 64, the first axial moving unit 52, and the first spindle unit 6a.

  The first axial moving unit 52 is configured to move the first spindle unit 6a in the p-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 5, 12 and 13.

  Specifically, the first axial moving unit 52 includes a base plate 66 attached to the moving table 58 of the first axial orthogonal moving unit 51, and a guide provided on the base plate 66 so as to extend in the p-axis direction. A rail 67, a movable table 69 slidably attached to the guide rail 67 via a guide block 68, and a ball as a linear motion mechanism in the p-axis direction for moving the movable table 69 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 67 And a screw mechanism 70.

  The ball screw mechanism 70 includes a servo motor 71, a reduction gear 72 connected to the output side of the servo motor 71, a screw shaft 73 connected to the output side of the reduction gear 72, and a nut member attached to the screw shaft 73. And 74.

  The ball screw mechanism 70 is installed on the surface of the base plate 66 in a posture in which the screw shaft 73 extends in parallel with the guide rail 67. A nut member 74 of the ball screw mechanism 70 is attached to the movable table 69 via the load cell 75 and the attachment member 76.

  The first axial moving unit 52 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 73 via the reduction gear 72 by the driving force of the servomotor 71 to move the moving table 69 together with the nut member 74, It is moved along the guide rail 67 in the p-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first spindle unit 6 a is attached to the moving table 69.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53 is a direction along the axial center direction of the probe 2b (see FIG. 4) in the yz plane (hereinafter referred to as “second spindle unit 6b”). It is configured to move in a direction (hereinafter, referred to as an s-axis direction) orthogonal to the r-axis direction.

  Specifically, the second axially orthogonal movement unit 53 includes a base plate 77 attached to the frame 13, a guide rail 78 provided on the base plate 77 so as to extend in the s-axis direction, and a guide block on the guide rail 78 A movable table 80 slidably attached via 79, and a ball screw mechanism 81 which is a linear movement mechanism in the s-axis direction for moving the movable table 80 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 78.

  The ball screw mechanism 81 includes a servomotor 82, a screw shaft 83 connected to the output side of the servomotor 82, and a nut member 84 attached to the screw shaft 83.

  The ball screw mechanism 81 is installed on the surface of the base plate 77 in a posture in which the screw shaft 83 extends in parallel with the guide rail 78. A nut member 84 of the ball screw mechanism 81 is attached to the moving table 80 via the load cell 85 and the attachment member 86.

  The second axial orthogonal direction moving unit 53 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 83 by the driving force of the servomotor 82 to move the moving table 80 along with the nut member 84 along the guide rail 78. At the same time, move in the s-axis direction.

  In the second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53, the moving table 80 can move without control along the guide rail 78 in a state where the driving force by the servomotor 82 is stopped.

  As a mechanical gravity compensation mechanism for supporting the second axial orthogonal direction moving unit 53 with a component in the direction along the guide rail 78 of the weight of the moving table 80 and the weight acting on the moving table 80, for example, s-axis direction A gas spring 87 is provided along the

  One end of the gas spring 87 is attached to a fixed position of the base plate 77, and the other end of the gas spring 87 is attached to the moving table 80. The weight acting on the moving table 80 refers to the weight of the nut member 84, the load cell 85, the mounting member 86, the second axial moving unit 54, and the second spindle unit 6b.

  The second axial movement unit 54 is configured to move the second spindle unit 6b in the r-axis direction, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12.

  Specifically, the second axial moving unit 54 has a base plate 88 attached to the moving table 80 of the second axial orthogonal moving unit 53, and a guide provided on the base plate 88 so as to extend in the r axis direction. A rail 89, a movable table 91 slidably attached to the guide rail 89 via the guide block 90, and a ball as a linear motion mechanism in the r-axis direction for moving the movable table 91 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 89 And a screw mechanism 92.

  The ball screw mechanism 92 includes a servomotor 93, a reduction gear 94 connected to the output side of the servomotor 93, a screw shaft 95 connected to the output side of the reduction gear 94, and a nut member attached to the screw shaft 95. And 96.

  The ball screw mechanism 92 is installed on the surface of the base plate 88 such that the screw shaft 95 extends in parallel with the guide rail 89. The nut member 96 of the ball screw mechanism 92 is attached to the movable table 91 via the load cell 97 and the attachment member 98.

  The second axial moving unit 54 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 95 via the reduction gear 94 by the driving force of the servomotor 93 to move the moving table 91 together with the nut member 96, Move along the guide rail 89 in the r-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second spindle unit 6 b is attached to the moving table 91.

  Therefore, according to the welding device main body 5, the adjustment of the position in the q-axis direction and the control of the force of the first friction stir welding tool 1a attached to the first spindle unit 6a are the first axial orthogonal direction movement It is performed by the unit 51. Adjustment of the position of the first friction stir welding tool 1 a in the p-axis direction and control of the force are performed by the first axial movement unit 52.

  Similarly, adjustment of the position in the s-axis direction of the second friction stir welding tool 1b attached to the second spindle unit 6b and control of the force are performed by the second orthogonal direction moving unit 53. Adjustment of the position of the second friction stir welding tool 1b in the direction along the r-axis direction and control of the force are performed by the second axial movement unit 54.

  In the welding device body 5, the pressing load on the corner portion c1 of the first friction stir welding tool 1a acts in the p-axis direction. Therefore, control of the pressing load on the corner portion c1 of the first friction stir welding tool 1a can be carried out by controlling only the output of the first axial moving unit 52 based on the detection result of the load cell 75. . The adjustment of the position of the first friction stir welding tool 1 a in the q-axis direction can be performed by the first axial orthogonal direction moving unit 51 without participating in the control of the pressing load.

  Similarly, in the welding device main body 5, the pressing load on the corner portion c2 of the second friction stir welding tool 1b acts in the r-axis direction. Therefore, control of the pressing load on the corner portion c2 of the second friction stir welding tool 1b can be carried out by controlling only the output of the second axial movement unit 54 based on the detection result of the load cell 97. . The adjustment of the position of the second friction stir welding tool 1b in the s-axis direction can be performed by the second axial orthogonal direction moving unit 53 without being involved in the control of the pressing load.

  Therefore, according to the welding device main body 5, the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool 1a, 1b can be more reliably controlled when the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1, c2 is performed.

  Next, friction stir welding performed using the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

  Before the start of the friction stir welding, the operator causes the work table 10 to hold the first work W1 and the second work W2. This work may be performed in a state where the work table 10 is moved in the x-axis direction to a position not interfering with the bonding device main body 5 and the work clamp unit 9. At this time, the table support 44 may be used as appropriate.

  After holding the works W1 and W2 on the work table 10, the work table 10 is moved along the table moving path 11 by the moving mechanism 12 to start the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 of the works W1 and W2 The sides are placed in the same yz plane as the friction stir welding tools 1a, 1b.

  Thereafter, in a state where the work clamp unit 9 is disposed at the retracted position away from the welding device body 5, the welding device body 5 is friction stir welded by the axial orthogonal direction moving units 51 and 53 and the axial direction moving units 52 and 54. Position adjustment of the spindle units 6a and 6b is performed so that the probes 2a and 2b of the tools 1a and 1b are disposed close to the corner portions c1 and c2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the work clamp unit 9 is disposed at a close position close to the welding device body 5, and the position of the work clamp unit 9 is fixed by the frame fixing portion 21. Next, in the workpiece clamp unit 9, the workpieces W1 and W2 held on the workpiece table 10 are held in the joining posture by the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b. Thereby, the displacement of the second workpiece W2 in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction and the displacement of the first workpiece W1 in the z-axis direction are prevented.

  In this state, the welding device main body 5 starts the rotational drive units 7a and 7b of the spindle units 6a and 6b to start rotational drive of the probes 2a and 2b. Thereafter, the welding device main body 5 moves the spindle units 6a and 6b in the axial center direction (p-axis direction and r-axis direction) of the probes 2a and 2b by the axial movement units 52 and 54, and the probe in a rotational driving state Immerse 2a and 2b in the corner portions c1 and c2. Furthermore, the workpiece contact surface 4a of the fixed shoulder 3a is brought into contact with the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and one side P2a of the second workpiece W2, and the workpiece contact surface 4b of the stationary shoulder 3b is The surface P1 of the work W1 and the other side P2b of the second work W2 are brought into contact with each other.

  Thus, stirring regions s1 and s2 by the immersed probes 2a and 2b are formed in the corner portions c1 and c2 located at symmetrical positions with respect to the second workpiece W2 without interfering with each other.

  Next, the moving mechanism 12 starts moving the work table 10. When the work table 10 moves, the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b of the welding device main body 5 fixed move relative to the corner portions c1 and c2 moving along with the movement of the work table 10. Thereby, the friction stir welding along the corner portions c1 and c2 is simultaneously started at the corner portions c1 and c2.

  Thus, when the friction stir welding is started, in the welding device main body 5, the load for pressing the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b against the corner portions c1 and c2 by the axial direction moving units 52 and 54 is set in advance. Control of the axial movement units 52, 54 is started to coincide with the set target value.

  At the same time, the welding device main body 5 shuts off the control and power of the servomotors 60 and 82 for the axial orthogonal direction moving units 51 and 53. Thereby, in the first axial orthogonal direction moving unit 51, the position of the first spindle unit 6a held on the moving table 58 via the first axial direction moving unit 52 corresponds to the external force acting in the q-axis direction. Change freely. Further, in the second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53, the position of the second spindle unit 6b held on the moving table 80 via the second axial direction moving unit 54 corresponds to the external force acting in the s axis direction. It will change freely.

  As a result, even if positional deviation occurs in the corner portions c1 and c2, the friction stir welding is performed by the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b sliding along the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1. The positions of the welding tools 1a and 1b can follow the positional deviation of the corner portions c1 and c2. Even in this case, the pressing load on the corner portions c1 and c2 of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b is held constant by the axial movement units 52 and 54.

  For this reason, it is possible to perform the friction stir welding along the corner portions c1 and c2 in a state in which the positions of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b follow the corner portions c1 and c2.

  As described above, while the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 is performed, in the welding device main body 5, the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are moved by the axial direction moving units 52 and 54 to the corner portions c1 and c2 The reaction force of the pressing load being pressed against is input. However, the influence of the reaction force does not affect the work clamp unit 9 which is separate from the welding device body 5. Therefore, while performing friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2, the work clamp unit 9 can continue to accurately hold the bonding posture between the works W1 and W2.

  As described above, when the friction stir welding by the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b proceeds to a preset position on the end side of the corner portions c1 and c2, the moving mechanism 12 stops the movement of the work table 10 .

  Subsequently, the axial orthogonal direction moving units 51, 53 resume control by the respective servomotors 60, 82, and the friction stir welding tool 1a, by the axial orthogonal direction moving units 51, 53 and the axial direction moving units 52, 54. 1b is moved in a direction away from the corner portions c1 and c2. Thus, the probes 2a and 2b are extracted from the corner portions c1 and c2. Thereafter, the rotational drive of the probes 2a and 2b by the spindle units 6a and 6b is stopped.

  Thereafter, the holding of the works W1 and W2 by the work clamp unit 9 is released, and the work clamp unit 9 is moved to the retracted position.

  Thereafter, the work table 10 is moved by the moving mechanism 12 to a position where it does not interfere with the bonding device body 5 and the work clamp unit 9, and in that state, the joined body of the works W1 and W2 is taken out.

  According to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 between the works W1 and W2 is performed using the pair of friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b provided with the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b. It can be performed.

  Further, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the work clamp unit 9 is formed separately from the welding apparatus main body 5. Therefore, while holding the joining posture of the workpieces W1 and W2 to be joined together by the workpiece clamp unit 9 without being affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b, between the workpieces W1 and W2 The corner portions c1 and c2 can be friction stir welded.

  For this reason, in the friction stir welding apparatus of this embodiment, the quality of the joined body of the works W1 and W2 to be manufactured can be improved.

  In the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are directly disposed at the corner portions c1 and c2.

  When performing friction stir welding of the corner using a friction stir welding tool of a type provided with a conventional rotary shoulder, a member of a triangular cross section is disposed at the corner, or a corner of one work is It is necessary to preprocess such as providing an overhanging section with a triangular cross section in the section. However, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, these pretreatments are unnecessary.

  Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the probes 2a and 2b from the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b is set so as to be able to perform partial stirring welding.

  For this reason, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, as in the conventional friction stir welding at the corner, the entire stir welding in which the stirring regions by the probes arranged at the corner are mutually interfered is performed The amount of insertion of the probes 2a and 2b into the corners c1 and c2 can be reduced compared to the amount of insertion of the probes into the corners.

  Thereby, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the probes 2a and 2b are moved in the state of being immersed in the corner portions c1 and c2, the reaction force received by the probes 2a and 2b is subjected to full stir welding. In this case, it can be smaller than the reaction force received by the probe. Therefore, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the construction speed of friction stir welding can be improved as compared with the case of performing full stir welding, and the life of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b is improved. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the amount of heat locally input to the periphery of the immersion point of the probes 2a and 2b in the works W1 and W2 by the frictional heat generated by the individual probes 2a and 2b is total agitation It will be less than when joining is performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of distortion or deformation due to heat of the workpieces W1 and W2.

  Further, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the friction stir welding is simultaneously performed from both sides of the second work W2 at the corner portions c1 and c2. Therefore, the same position in the x-axis direction of the workpieces W1 and W2 is heated by the frictional heat generated by the probes 2a and 2b. Therefore, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the workpiece W1, W1 is heated as compared to the case where the corner portion c1 and the corner portion c2 are heated by the frictional heat generated by the probes arranged at different positions in the x-axis direction. Heating of W2 can be performed more efficiently. Therefore, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the friction stir welding between the corner portion c1 and the corner portion c2 can be stably performed by using a large amount of heat.

  As described above, when the heating efficiency of the workpieces W1 and W2 is improved, the stirring regions s1 and s2 stirred by the probes 2a and 2b are easily softened. Also by this, the friction stir welding apparatus of this embodiment can improve the construction speed of friction stir welding. Moreover, since the resistance at the time of rotationally driving the probes 2a and 2b is reduced, the life of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the case of heating the corner portion c1 and the corner portion c2 by the frictional heat generated by the probes arranged at different positions in the x-axis direction, one of the corner portion c1 and the corner portion c2 precedes Since the other is heated later, the heat input conditions may not be equal. However, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the heat input to the corner portions c1 and c2 can be equalized.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 14 shows a work clamp unit of the friction stir welding apparatus of the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 14, the same components as in FIG. 7 will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  In the work clamp unit 109 according to the present embodiment, among the side clamp rollers, the side clamp rollers 22a and 22e which are disposed at positions separated from the frame 8 in the z-axis direction and supported by the frame 16 via the brackets 23 (see FIG. 7) can be attached to and detached from the frame 16 together with the bracket 23. FIG. 14 shows the state in which the side clamp rollers 22 a and 22 e are removed from the frame 16.

  Further, in the work clamp unit 109 in the present embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder 26 for the top clamp rollers 25 a and 25 b can also be attached to and detached from the frame 16. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the work clamp unit 109 includes a support member 99, and the hydraulic cylinder 26 is attached to the frame 16 via the support member 99.

  In the present embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder 26 is directly attached to the frame 16 as in the first embodiment (FIG. 7), and is attached to the frame 16 via the support member 99 as shown in FIG. Can be changed to The support member 99 has a small dimension in the z-axis direction of the second workpiece W2, and the distance from the surface of the gantry 8 to the upper end of the second workpiece W2 is the distance from the surface of the gantry 8 to the pair of side clamp rollers 22a and 22b and It is used when the distance to the upper end of the pair of side clamp rollers 22e, 22f (see FIG. 7) is smaller.

  The configuration of the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the work clamp unit 109.

  The work clamp unit 109 according to the present embodiment has a pair of side portions at the upper end (the dimension in the z-axis direction) of the second work W2 disposed on the work table 10 in the joining attitude, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When the position does not reach the position of the clamp rollers 22a and 22b and the pair of side clamp rollers 22e and 22f (see FIG. 7), the configuration shown in FIG. 14 is used. That is, the hydraulic cylinders 26 for the top clamp rollers 25 a and 25 b are attached to the frame 16 via the support members 99. At this time, the side clamp rollers 22a and 22e which may interfere with the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b are removed from the frame 16 together with the bracket 23 in advance. Further, the side clamp rollers 22b and 22f paired with the side clamp rollers 22a and 22e are previously retracted by the hydraulic cylinder 24 to a position not interfering with the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b.

  As a result, the work clamp unit 109 in the present embodiment is configured such that the joining posture of the first work W1 and the second work W2 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 14 disposed on the work table 10 is a pair of side clamp rollers 22c. , 22d and the top clamp rollers 25a, 25b.

  Therefore, also by the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment, the friction stir welding process can be performed on the corner portions c1 and c2 of the first work W1 and the second work W2 similarly to the first embodiment. The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

  Note that the present disclosure is not limited to only the above embodiment, and the work clamp unit 9 is formed separately from the bonding apparatus main body 5, and the first work is formed on the frame 16 different from the frame 13. As long as it has a roller for holding the portion where W1 and the second work W2 are to be subjected to friction stir welding in the bonding posture, a configuration other than that illustrated may be employed.

  For example, although the number of side clamp rollers 22a to 22f is shown as three pairs, it may be appropriately increased or decreased according to the size, weight and the like of works W1 and W2. The arrangement of the side clamp rollers in the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction may be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the number and arrangement of the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b may be changed as appropriate.

  The diameters of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b, and the width dimensions (dimensions in the axial direction) of the outer peripheral surface may be changed as appropriate without being limited to those illustrated.

  The side clamp rollers 22a to 22f are provided as rolling elements for holding the second work W2 provided on the work clamp unit 9 from both sides, and the top as rolling elements for holding the second work W2 from the opposite side to the first work W1. Although the clamp rollers 25a and 25b are shown, if the rolling element is a member capable of rolling following the movement of the second workpiece W2, a spherical body rotatably held by the holder (holder) Other members may be used.

  Furthermore, the plurality of work clamp units 9 may be arranged on the front side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the relative direction of tool movement t relative to the welding device main body 5. In this case, the work clamp unit 9 other than the work clamp unit 9 disposed closest to the welding device main body 5 may be configured to have only the portal portion 17 with the projection 18 of the frame 16 omitted.

  As pressing means for the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, 22f, if the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, 22f can be pressed from the side to the second work W2, the pneumatic cylinder, the feed screw mechanism, etc. other than the hydraulic cylinder 24 can be used. Any configuration may be adopted.

  The side clamp rollers 22a, 22c, 22e paired with the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, 22f of the work clamp unit 9 may also be provided with pressing means.

  As a pressing means for the top clamp rollers 25a, 25b, if the top clamp rollers 25a, 25b can be pressed against the edge of the second work W2 opposite to the first work, the hydraulic pressure such as a pneumatic cylinder or a feed screw mechanism Any configuration other than the cylinder 26 may be employed.

  In the second embodiment, the support member 99 is attached between the hydraulic cylinder 26 and the frame 16 in order to adjust the position of the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b. However, instead of providing the support member 99, the hydraulic cylinder 26 may be configured to have a stroke greater than or equal to the length of the support member 99.

  The friction stir welding apparatus according to the present disclosure is formed of a first work W1 and a second work W2 whose edges are butted at an attitude other than 90 degrees with respect to the surface P1 of the first work W1. The two corners (inner corners) c1 and c2 may be subjected to friction stir welding. In this case, since the angle between the surface P1 of the first work W1 and the side surface P2a of the second work W2 is other than 90 degrees, the first friction stir welding used for the friction stir welding of the corner portion c1 The fixed shoulder 3a of the tool 1a is formed to have a chevron end according to the angle between the surface P1 of the first work W1 and the side P2a of the second work W2. Similarly, since the angle between the surface P1 of the first work W1 and the side surface P2b of the second work W2 is other than 90 degrees, the second friction stir welding tool used for friction stir welding of the corner portion c2 The fixed shoulder 3b of 1b is formed to have a chevron end according to the angle between the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2b of the second workpiece W2.

  Further, the probes 2a and 2b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are arranged along the bisector of the angle of the angle of the end of the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b.

  In this case, in the work clamp unit 9, the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f are disposed at symmetrical positions with the second work W2 interposed therebetween, and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b are aligned along the surface of the second work W2. And place it in an inclined manner.

  Furthermore, the bonding device main body 5 is fixed to the corner portions c1 and c2 formed by the first work W1 and the second work W2 arranged on the work table 10 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As long as the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 can be performed by arranging the pair of friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b provided with the shoulders 3a and 3b, a configuration other than that illustrated may be provided. For example, in the welding device main body 5, the first axial orthogonal direction moving unit 51 and the first axial direction moving unit 52 of the first tool pressing portion 14 interposed between the frame 13 and the first spindle unit 6a. And the arrangement (order) in the x-axis direction may be interchanged. Similarly, in the second tool pressing portion 15, x of the second orthogonal direction moving unit 53 and the second axial moving unit 54 interposed between the frame 13 and the second spindle unit 6b. The axial arrangement (order) may be interchanged.

  The axis orthogonal direction moving units 51 and 53 may use a linear mechanism other than the ball screw mechanism 59 or 81, such as a rack and pinion system or an actuator, as a linear mechanism. The arrangement of the linear movement mechanism, the number and arrangement of the guide rails 56 and 78, the number and arrangement of the guide blocks 57 and 79, the shapes of the base plates 55 and 77 and the movable tables 58 and 80, the arrangement of the gas springs 65 and 87, etc. May be changed arbitrarily. As a gravity compensation mechanism of the axial orthogonal direction moving units 51, 53, any type other than the gas springs 65, 87, such as a constant load spring, other springs, a cylinder, a counter weight, etc. may be adopted.

  The axial movement units 52 and 54 may use a linear movement mechanism other than the ball screw mechanism 70 or 92, such as a rack and pinion system or an actuator, as a linear movement mechanism. The arrangement of the linear movement mechanism, the number and arrangement of the guide rails 67 and 89, the number and arrangement of the guide blocks 68 and 90, and the shapes of the base plates 66 and 88 and the movable tables 69 and 91 may be changed arbitrarily. Good.

  Furthermore, the first tool pressing unit 14 and the second tool pressing unit 15 perform control of the positions of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b and control of the pressing load applied to the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. If possible, any format other than that illustrated may be adopted. For example, the table movement amount and output of the moving unit having the table moving in the y-axis direction and the moving unit having the table moving in the z-axis direction may be controlled in combination.

  The pair of friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b disposed at the corner portions c1 and c2 may be disposed in mutually offset positions in the x-axis direction.

  The moving mechanism 12 may have a configuration other than that illustrated, as long as the work table 10 can be moved along the x-axis direction. For example, a ball screw mechanism or an actuator may be used as the movement mechanism 12. Alternatively, the moving mechanism 12 may be configured to include a rack provided on the gantry 8 side and a rotatably driven pinion gear provided on the work table 10 side.

  The xy plane on which the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 is disposed may not be a horizontal surface, but may be inclined. In this case, the angle may be changed based on the xy plane in the above-described three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system used for describing the apparatus configuration.

  When performing friction stir welding, a technique called AdStir shown in Non-Patent Document 1 may be applied.

  In this case, for inserting the filler on the front side of the tool relative movement direction t at the top of the chevron formed by the work contact surfaces 4a and 4b of the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. A notch is provided, and a notch having a shape corresponding to the fillet formed at the corner portions c1 and c2 after bonding is provided on the rear side in the tool relative movement direction t.

  The welding device main body is not limited to the friction stir welding tool of the type provided with the fixed shoulder, and may be configured to have the friction stir welding tool of the type provided with the rotary shoulder.

  Furthermore, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present disclosure may be used to join any joint other than the two corner portions c1 and c2, as long as the joint is between the workpieces to be joined.

  For example, the present invention can also be applied to the case where friction stir welding is performed on a joint portion in which end edges of a plate-like work are butted. In this case, the work clamp unit is formed separately from the welding device main body, and in the vicinity of the position where the friction stir welding tool of the welding device main body is disposed, in particular, in the position ahead of the tool relative movement direction t A roller (rolling element) is provided for pressing against the surface of the work to hold the bonding posture. Thus, the workpiece clamp unit can clamp the workpiece between the roller pressed against the surface of the workpiece and a member such as a table or a mount on which the workpiece is disposed, and maintain the joining posture.

  The direction in which the work clamp unit 9 is retracted away from the welding device body 5 from the proximity position where the work clamp unit 9 is brought close to the welding device body 5 at the time of friction stir welding may not be the x axis direction. In that case, instead of the guide rail 19 in the x-axis direction, it is sufficient to provide a guide portion that extends in the direction of retraction.

  Although it is possible to move the work clamp unit 9 from the proximity position where the work clamp unit 9 is brought close to the welding device body 5 at the time of friction stir welding, to the retracted position separated from the welding device body 5, the work clamp unit 9 approaches the welding device body 5 It may be removably fixed at the same position.

  Furthermore, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present disclosure fixes the workpieces to be joined and performs friction stir welding such that the welding apparatus main body having the friction stir welding tool is moved along the joints between the fixed workpieces. It may be applied to the device. In this case, the work clamp unit is disposed at an adjacent position on the side preceding the moving direction of the bonding apparatus body, and the work clamp is moved in the extending direction of the bonding unit to perform friction stir welding. The units may be pushed by the bonding device body to move together. In addition, the work clamp unit may be provided with a moving mechanism for moving in synchronization with the welding device main body.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited by the foregoing description, but is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

  According to the present disclosure, the friction stir welding can be performed on the joint between the works while holding the joining posture of the works to be joined without being affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool. A friction stir welding apparatus can be provided.

1a 1st friction stir welding tool (friction stir welding tool)
1b Second friction stir welding tool (friction stir welding tool)
5 Bonding device main body 9 Work clamp unit 13 Frame (first frame)
16 frames (the second frame)
22a to 22f side clamp roller (first rolling element)
25a, 25b top clamp roller (second rolling element)
W1 1st work (work)
W2 second work (work)
c1, c2 corner (junction)

Claims (8)

A welding apparatus body comprising a friction stir welding tool for friction stir welding a joint between a plurality of workpieces in contact with each other;
A work clamp unit having a rolling element formed separately from the welding device body and configured to clamp the work when performing friction stir welding of the joint ;
The plurality of workpieces have a first workpiece and a second workpiece disposed in contact with an edge at a posture that intersects the surface of the first workpiece at a predetermined angle,
The joint portion is a corner on both sides of the second work formed by the first work and the second work,
The rolling elements of the work clamp unit are a pair of first rolling elements holding the second work on both sides, and a side opposite to the side on which the first work is provided on the second work. A friction stir welding apparatus comprising: a second rolling element for holding at an end . The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the work clamp unit is configured to be movable to a proximity position close to the welding apparatus main body and a retracted position away from the welding apparatus main body. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the work clamp unit is configured to be movable along a direction in which the joint extends. The welding device body includes a first frame that receives a reaction force of a pressing load of the friction stir welding tool,
The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the work clamp unit includes a second frame different from the first frame of the welding apparatus body. The welding device main body is configured to rotate a probe of the friction stir welding tool, and to apply a pressing load for pressing the friction stir welding tool toward the welding portion. And a tool pressing portion,
The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spindle unit is attached to the first frame via the tool pressing portion. The second frame is disposed in proximity to the friction stir welding tool,
The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rolling element is attached to the second frame. The second frame includes a gate-shaped portion, and a protrusion protruding toward the bonding device main body from a surface of the gate shaped portion facing the bonding device main body,
The protrusion is disposed above the friction stir welding tool when the second frame is disposed in proximity to the friction stir welding tool.
The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 6. The rolling element is located on the front side relative to a position where friction stir welding is performed in a tool relative movement direction in which the friction stir welding tool is moved relative to the joint when performing friction stir welding of the joint. And at the same position as the position where the friction stir welding is performed in the relative movement direction of the tool
The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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