WO2016147983A1 - Friction stir welding device - Google Patents

Abstract

This friction stir welding device is provided with: a welding device main body (5) that is provided with friction stir welding tools (1a, 1b) that friction stir weld a welding section that is between a plurality of workpieces (W1, W2) that are in contact with each other; and a workpiece clamping unit (9) that is formed separately from the welding device main body (5) and that has rolling bodies (22a-22f, 25a, 25b) that are configured so as to hold the workpieces (W1, W2) when the welding section is being friction stir welded.

Description

Friction stir welding equipment

The present disclosure relates to a friction stir welding apparatus used for friction stir welding at a joint between workpieces.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-054606 for which it applied to Japan on March 18, 2015, and uses the content here.

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

As a friction stir welding tool equipped with a fixed shoulder, the fixed shoulder abuts against the surfaces of both workpieces forming the corner corners in order to friction stir weld the corners (inner corners) of the workpieces to be joined. A shape with a surface is known.

As the friction stir welding apparatus using the friction stir welding tool for corner corner joining as described above, a horizontal first work (horizontal member) and a second work (standing member) standing on the horizontal work are provided. In the past, there has been proposed an apparatus for friction stir welding of two corners formed by butt contact with both sides of a second workpiece to be erected using a pair of friction stir welding tools (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

This friction stir welding apparatus has a gate-shaped frame (gate pillar) arranged so as to straddle the workpiece. The second work is erected on the first work by pressing the second work to be erected from above and pressing it against the horizontal first work by the pressing mechanism provided on the frame. Maintain the bonding posture. In this state, the pair of friction stir welding tools are pressed against the corners between the workpieces by another pressing mechanism provided on the frame, and the corners are friction stir welded.

AdStir is designed to form a curved surface (fillet fillet) in the corner corner after joining when performing friction stir welding at the corner corner by a friction stir welding tool equipped with a fixed shoulder. A technique called “Non-Patent Document 1” has also been proposed in the past.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-166159

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

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

Non-Patent Document 1 does not particularly show a means for maintaining the joining posture of the workpiece formed with the corner corners to be joined at the time of friction stir welding.

The present disclosure provides a friction stirrer capable of friction stir welding a joint between workpieces while maintaining the joining posture of the workpieces to be joined in a state not affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool. An object is to provide a joining device.

A friction stir welding apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is formed separately from a joining apparatus body including a friction stir welding tool that friction stir welds joints between a plurality of workpieces that are in contact with each other, and the joining apparatus body. A work clamp unit having a rolling element 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 workpieces is friction stir while maintaining the joining posture of the workpieces to be joined in a state not affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool. 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. FIG. 2 is an AA arrow view of FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows the part of the friction stir welding tool of the friction stir welding apparatus of 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 | work 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 in the direction of arrows CC in FIG. 6. It is a top view which expands and shows the work table of the work holding part of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a side 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 schematic plan view which shows the movement path | route of the table of the friction stir welding apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view showing an axis-orthogonal direction moving unit in a tool pressing portion of the joining apparatus main body of FIG. 5. It is a DD direction arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view showing an axial movement unit in a tool pressing portion of the joining apparatus main body of FIG. 5. FIG. 13 is a view taken in the direction of arrows EE in FIG. 12. It is a figure which shows the work clamp unit of the friction stir welding apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to 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 according to 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. 4A is an enlarged plan view showing a portion of the friction stir welding tool, and FIG. 4B is a BB direction view of FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the joining apparatus main body according to the first embodiment viewed along the direction in which the workpiece moves during friction stir welding. FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the work clamp unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view in the direction of arrows CC in FIG. FIG. 8A is an enlarged plan view showing the work table in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged side view showing the work table. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a table moving path in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cutaway view showing the axis-orthogonal direction moving unit in the tool pressing portion of the joining apparatus main body. FIG. 11 is a view in the DD direction of FIG. FIG. 12 is a partial cutaway view showing the axial movement unit in the tool pressing portion of the joining apparatus main body. 13 is a view taken in the direction of arrows EE in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment has a second end whose end edge is abutted in a posture that intersects the first workpiece W1 and the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 at a predetermined angle. Two corners (inner corners) c1 and c2 formed by the workpiece W2 are subject to friction stir welding. In the present embodiment, as an example, the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 is horizontally disposed, and the second workpiece W2 is abutted from above with the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 in a vertical posture. Will be described.

For convenience of explanation, the direction in which the corner portions c1 and c2 extend is the x-axis direction, and the direction parallel to the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 in the plane perpendicular to the x-axis direction is the y-axis direction, the x-axis direction, and A three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is set in which the direction orthogonal to both the y-axis directions is the z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, since the xy plane along the plane P1 of the first workpiece W1 is a horizontal plane, the z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the second workpiece W2 is arranged 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. The plane along is shown. The xy plane, the xz plane, and the yz plane do not mean a plane whose position is specified.

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

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a joining apparatus main body 5 including friction stir welding tools 1 a and 1 b on a base 8, and a workpiece W <b> 1 with respect to the joining apparatus main body 5. , W2 are moved in one direction along the x-axis direction as indicated by an arrow w in FIGS. The friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b move relative to the corners c1 and c2 as the workpieces W1 and W2 move to perform friction stir welding. The work clamp unit 9 is disposed on the front side (the left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the tool relative movement direction t with respect to the joining apparatus body 5. The tool relative movement direction t is a direction in which the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b and the welding apparatus main body 5 relatively move with respect to the corners c1 and c2 when performing friction stir welding. In this 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 FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the joining apparatus main body 5 of the present embodiment is used to join the corner portion c1 on the side surface P2a side of the second workpiece W2 out of the two corner portions c1 and c2. The first friction stir welding tool 1a to be used and the second friction stir welding tool 1b to be used for joining the corner portion c2 on the other side surface P2b side are provided.

The first friction stir welding tool 1a includes a probe 2a that can be driven to rotate, and a fixed shoulder 3a disposed on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe 2a. The probe 2a is preferably arranged so that the axial center direction of the probe 2a is parallel to the bisector of the angle of the corner portion c1 in the yz plane. In the present embodiment, since the corner c1 is a right angle, the axial center direction of the probe 2a is 45 degrees from the z-axis direction (vertical direction) along the second workpiece W2 in the yz plane to the side surface P2a side. It is arranged so as to form an inclined obliquely downward angle. The fixed shoulder 3a has two end portions arranged near the tip of the probe 2a, which are in contact with the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2a of the second workpiece W2 forming the corner portion c1, respectively. It is a mountain shape (V shape) provided with the workpiece contact surface 4a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first friction stir welding tool 1 a is attached to the distal end side of the first main spindle unit 6 a provided with a rotation drive unit 7 a that rotationally drives the probe 2 a in the bonding apparatus body 5. Used in state.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second friction stir welding tool 1b includes a probe 2b that can be driven to rotate, and a fixed shoulder 3b that is disposed on the outer periphery of the proximal end side of the probe 2b. The probe 2b is preferably disposed so that the axial center direction of the probe 2b is parallel to the bisector of the angle of the corner portion c2 in the yz plane. In this embodiment, since the corner 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 workpiece W2 to the other side surface P2b side in the yz plane. It is arranged so as to form an inclined obliquely downward angle. The fixed shoulder 3b has two end portions arranged near the tip of the probe 2b, which are in contact with the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2b of the second workpiece W2 that form the corner portion c2. It is a mountain shape (V shape) provided with the workpiece contact surface 4b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second friction stir welding tool 1 b is attached to the distal end side of the second main spindle unit 6 b provided with a rotation drive unit 7 b that rotationally drives the probe 2 b in the bonding apparatus body 5. Used in 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, 3b and the probes 2a, 2b are the first. The two workpieces W2 are disposed at the same position in the x-axis direction. Therefore, the spindle units 6a and 6b to which the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are attached are arranged in a V shape along one yz plane as shown in FIG.

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 corner portion c1 and the corner corner portion c2 is performed on both sides of the second workpiece W2. In order to prevent interference between the probes 2a and 2b to be immersed in the corners c1 and c2, and also between the stirring regions s1 and s2 of the corners c1 and c2 by the probes 2a and 2b when performing simultaneously. The amount of protrusion from the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of 2a and 2b is set.

Thereby, the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 formed by the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece 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. This is performed as a partial stirring joint that does not interfere with the stirring region s2. For this reason, in the 1st work W1 and 2nd work W2 after joining, between the part joined by stirring in stirring field s1, and the part joined by stirring in stirring field s2, it is the 1st. A part of the abutting surface where the workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 abut remains.

By disposing the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b as described above, the first friction stir welding tool 1a is subjected to a pressing load toward the corners c1 and the second friction stir welding tool 1b. On the other hand, the position where the pressing load directed to the corner portion c2 is applied coincides in the x-axis direction. That is, a position where a pressing load directed toward the corner c1 is applied to the first friction stir welding tool 1a, and a position where a pressing load directed toward the corner c2 is applied to the second friction stir welding tool 1b. However, they are located in the same yz plane with the second workpiece W2 interposed therebetween. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a rotational moment from being generated in the xy plane on the workpieces W1 and W2 and the workpiece table 10 described later due to the pressing load.

As shown in FIG. 5, the joining apparatus main body 5 includes a gate-shaped frame 13 arranged 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 main 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 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 corners c1 and c2, respectively. Apply load. A specific configuration of the tool pressing portions 14 and 15 will be described later.

6 and 7 show the work clamp unit 9. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the work clamp unit 9 is provided on the surface of the gantry 8 on the front side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the tool relative movement direction t with respect to the bonding apparatus main body 5. The work clamp unit 9 includes a frame 16 that is a separate body from the joining apparatus body 5.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the frame 16 includes a gate-shaped portion 17 disposed so as to straddle the table movement path 11 (see FIG. 9) along the y-axis direction, and a joining device main body of the gate-shaped portion 17. 5 and a projecting portion 18 provided on the side facing the surface 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 18 has a shape that can be arranged in a space formed between the first main spindle unit 6a and the second main spindle unit 6b.

A pair of guide rails 19 extending along the x-axis direction are provided at both ends of the gantry 8 in the y-axis direction. Both ends in the y-axis direction of the gate-shaped portion 17 of the frame 16 are supported by a pair of guide rails 19 via a guide block 20 so as to be slidable. As a result, the frame 16 has the protruding portion 18 disposed in the space between the first spindle unit 6a and the second spindle unit 6b as shown by the solid line in FIG. Between the proximity position where the projection portion 18 is in a state close to the retraction position and the retreat position where the protrusion 18 is separated from the first spindle unit 6a and the second spindle unit 6b as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It can move along the guide rail 19. When the frame 16 is disposed at a close position, the protrusion 18 is disposed above the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b as shown by a solid line in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, frame fixing portions 21 for fixing the frame 16 so that the frame 16 can be released on the guide rail 19 are provided on both ends of the portal portion 17 in the y-axis direction. Thereby, the frame 16 can be fixed at an arbitrary position such as a proximity position indicated by a solid line in FIG. In addition, as long as the frame 16 can be fixed at least in the proximity position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The frame fixing part 21 may fix the frame 16 by clamping the guide rail 19. Further, as the frame fixing portion 21, frame fixing means for fixing the frame 16 by other known methods may be employed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 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 locations inside the portal 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 arranged to face each other along the y-axis direction, and both side surfaces P2a and P2b of the second workpiece W2. (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 arranged on one side in the y-axis direction (right side in FIG. 7) are portal-shaped. It is attached to the part 17 with its position fixed via a bracket 23. On the other hand, the side clamp rollers 22b and 22d arranged on the other side in the y-axis direction (left side in FIG. 7) are connected to the gate-shaped portion 17 via a hydraulic cylinder 24 as pressing means arranged along the y-axis direction. Is attached. By operating the hydraulic cylinder 24 in a state where the second workpiece W2 is disposed between the side clamp rollers 22a, 22c and the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, both side surfaces P2a, The side clamp rollers 22a and 22c and the side clamp rollers 22b and 22d are pressed against the P2b from both sides. For this reason, the position of the second workpiece W2 in the y-axis direction is maintained.

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 based on the fixed side clamp rollers 22a and 22c. As the same position in the y-axis direction.

The bracket 23 supporting the fixed side clamp rollers 22a and 22c may be provided with a mechanism for adjusting 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 adjustment amount of the position of the side clamp rollers 22a and 22c in the y-axis direction. In this way, for example, even when the second workpiece W2 having a different thickness is to be joined, it is possible to align the thickness centers of the second workpiece W2.

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

When the hydraulic cylinder 26 is extended in a state where the top clamp roller 25a is disposed so as to be in contact with the end portion 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. For this reason, the position of the z-axis direction of the 1st workpiece | work W1 and the 2nd workpiece | work W2 is hold | maintained.

The protrusion 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 22e and 22f has the same configuration as the pair of side clamp rollers 22a and 22b provided in the portal portion 17. The side clamp roller 22 f is supported by the protruding portion 18 via the hydraulic cylinder 24. The top clamp roller 25 b has the same configuration as the top clamp roller 25 a provided in the portal portion 17, and is supported by the protruding portion 18 via the hydraulic cylinder 26. When the protrusion 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 and 22f and the top clamp roller 25b are The friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b (see FIG. 3) and the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b may be disposed at the same position in the z-axis direction or at a position closer to the front in 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 a configuration including two roller bodies arranged side by side in the x-axis direction. With such a configuration, the shift of the second workpiece W2 from the posture along the x-axis direction in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction is more reliably prevented.

In the case where the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b are provided with two roller bodies as described above, a roller frame that holds the two roller bodies of the side clamp rollers 22a, 22c, and 22e ( (Not shown) is preferably attached to the bracket 23 so as to be swingable in the x-axis direction. Similarly, a roller frame (not shown) holding the two roller bodies of the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a, 25b swings in the x-axis direction on the hydraulic cylinders 24, 26. It is preferable that it is attached to be possible. Further, the roller bodies of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b are preferably crowned on the outer peripheral surface.

In general, it is difficult to manufacture a long member without any deflection or deformation over the 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 are placed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the roller bodies of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b. By adopting a configuration in which crowning is performed, even if the second workpiece W2 has runout or deformation in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction), the roller body follows the runout or deformation. can do.

When performing friction stir welding of the corners c1 and c2 of the workpieces W1 and W2 using the workpiece clamp unit 9 having the above configuration, first, the frame 16 is disposed at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The position is fixed to the gantry 8 by the fixing portion 21.

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 workpiece clamp unit 9 are positioned in the y-axis direction of the second workpiece W2. 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.

Note that 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 are not necessarily provided as long as they can hold the position of the second workpiece W2 in the y-axis direction. It may not be in contact with the workpiece W2. Further, the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b do not necessarily have to 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 maintained.

As a result, the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 are in the vicinity of the portion where the friction stir welding is performed, and at a position ahead of the tool relative movement direction t with respect to the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. A portion immediately before a certain friction stir welding is performed is held in a bonding posture by the work clamp unit 9.

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 that acts on the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. On the other hand, the work clamp unit 9 includes a separate frame 16 independent of the frame 13. Therefore, even if the workpieces W1 and W2 are held in the joining posture by the workpiece clamp unit 9, the workpiece clamp unit 9 is not affected by the reaction force of the pressing load that acts on the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b.

When the friction stir welding is not performed, the work clamp unit 9 is released from being fixed to the gantry 8 by the frame fixing portion 21, and the work clamp unit 9 is connected to the joining apparatus main body 5 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2. Place it in a retracted position away from In this state, since the protrusion 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.

In the state in which the work clamp unit 9 is retracted, the work clamp is made up of 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 separated. 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 arranged on the work table 10. It is possible to perform the work of performing the positioning while visually observing. Further, 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 the friction stir welding shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 is performed and the retracted position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 is the x-axis direction. The movement directions of the works W1 and W2 arranged on the work table 10 on the table movement path 11 are the same.

For this reason, 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 arranged on the work table 10 moving on the table moving path 11 and the work The relative arrangement of the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b in the z-axis direction with respect to the works W1 and W2 arranged on the table 10 does not change. In addition, even if a 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 when the work clamp unit 9 is reciprocated between the proximity position and the retracted position, the joining posture of the works W1 and W2 can be maintained.

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

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8A, one end surface of the first workpiece W1 in the y-axis direction is abutted against one side in the y-axis direction of the region 27 on the surface of the work table 10 where the first workpiece W1 is disposed. A stepped portion 28 for positioning is provided. On the other side of the region 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 between the step portion 28 along the y-axis direction. The z-axis direction clamp 30 fixes the other end edge in the y-axis direction of the first workpiece W1 between the surface of the work table 10 along the z-axis direction.

End pressing members 31a that abut both end surfaces of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 in the x-axis direction against the surfaces on both ends in the x-axis direction of the work table 10 to prevent displacement in the x-axis direction. , 31b are provided. The end pressing members 31a and 31b do not necessarily have to abut against the end surfaces of both the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2, and cannot be directly held by the clamps 29 and 30 on the work table 10. What is necessary is just to be comprised so that the 2nd workpiece | work W2 can be moved with the work table 10 reliably. From this point of view, the end pressing members 31a and 31b may be abutted against at least the end surface of the second workpiece W2 in the x-axis direction.

The end pressing members 31a and 31b include, for example, a vertical plate portion 33 having a thickness dimension similar to that of the second workpiece W2 on a horizontal plate portion 32 having a thickness dimension similar to that of the first workpiece W1. The first workpiece W1 is abutted and integrated at an angle similar to the abutting angle of the second workpiece W2. 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 abutted and integrated with the horizontal plate portion 32 in a vertical arrangement.

Both the horizontal plate portion 32 and the vertical plate portion 33 of the end 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 that holds an end edge in the x-axis direction of the second workpiece W2 from both sides in the y-axis direction.

One end pressing member disposed on the front end side in the direction in which the work table 10 is advanced during the friction stir welding, that is, on the start end side (right side in FIG. 11) of the friction stir welding at the corners c1 and c2. It is preferable that the member 31a is provided so that the attachment position with respect to the work table 10 can be changed in the x-axis direction. In this case, even if the dimensions in the x-axis direction of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 to be subjected to friction stir welding change, the attachment position of the one end pressing member 31a with respect to the work table 10 is changed. Thus, both end portions of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 can be disposed so as to abut against the end pressing members 31a and 31b. Therefore, even when the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 having different dimensions in the x-axis direction are subjected to friction stir welding, the common work table 10 can be used. The end pressing member 31a easily holds the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 to the workpiece clamp unit 9 in a state where the joining posture of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 is maintained. Although it is preferable to be provided on the work table 10 for introduction, it may not be provided.

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

9, the work table 10 (see FIGS. 2, 8A, and 8B) is moved in the x-axis direction at the center of the gantry 8 in the y-axis direction. Table movement route 11 is set.

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

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom guide roller 36 supports the back surface of the work table 10 that moves in the x-axis direction along the table moving path 11 (see FIG. 9) at a position that does not interfere with the rack 35. . As shown in FIG. 9, a large number of bottom guide rollers 36 are provided on the surface of the gantry 8 inside the table moving path 11 in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, for example, in a staggered manner. The bottom guide roller 36 is arranged more densely than the other parts in the part where the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b of the joining apparatus body 5 are arranged (see FIGS. 1 and 2) in the x-axis direction. It is preferable that This is because when the friction stir welding of the corners c1 and c2 of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 held on the work table 10 is performed, the friction stir welding tool 1a, This is because more bottom guide rollers 36 receive the z-axis direction component of the load generated by pressing 1b (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

The side guide roller 37 supports both side surfaces of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, the side guide rollers 37 are provided on the surface of the gantry 8 at both positions in the y-axis direction of the table moving path 11 and arranged at predetermined intervals in the x-axis direction.

The top guide roller 38 abuts against both edge portions of the surface of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, the top guide rollers 38 are provided on both surfaces of the table moving path 11 in the y-axis direction on the surface of the gantry 8. Two top guide rollers 38 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval on both sides of a portion (see FIG. 2) where the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b of the welding apparatus main body 5 are arranged in the x-axis direction. It is provided as a set. The reason why the top guide rollers 38 are provided in groups of two is to prevent the work table 10 from tilting in the z-axis direction more reliably. Note that the top guide roller 38 may be provided in an arrangement other than two pairs.

As a result, in the table moving path 11, the bottom guide roller 36, the side guide roller 37, and the top guide roller 38 keep the displacement of the work table 10 in the z-axis direction and the y-axis direction being restricted. The movement of the table 10 in the x-axis direction is guided.

The positions of the side guide roller 37 and the top guide roller 38 provided on one side of the table moving path 11 in the y axis direction are fixed, while the positions of the table moving path 11 on the other side of the table moving path 11 in the y axis direction are fixed. It is preferable that the positions of the side guide roller 37 and the top guide roller 38 in the y-axis direction can be adjusted. This is because the side guide roller 37 and the top guide roller 38 are arranged in accordance with the dimensions of the work table 10 that is 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 gantry 8, and a pair of pinion gears that can mesh with the rack 35 of the work table 10. 39 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the pinion gear 39 is preferably disposed in the x-axis direction in the vicinity of the portion directly below the portion where the friction stir welding tools 1 a and 1 b of the bonding apparatus main body 5 are disposed. This is because the driving force in the x-axis direction can be applied to the work table 10 in the vicinity of the place where the friction stir welding is performed.

The pair of pinion gears 39 are connected to each other by a rotation 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 speed reducer 42 provided inside the gantry 8, and a drive motor 43 such as a servo motor is connected to the speed reducer 42.

In the moving mechanism 12 having the above configuration, when the pinion gear 39 is rotated together with the rotary shaft 41 by the drive motor 43 via the speed reducer 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 moving 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.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to the present embodiment supports the portions of the workpieces W1 and W2 that protrude from the mount 8 of the workpiece table 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in order to hold the workpieces W1 and W2 in an auxiliary manner. A table support 44 is provided.

The table support base 44 is disposed on the extended line of the table moving path 11 (see FIG. 9) outside the gantry 8. On the upper surface of the table support table 44, there are provided a bottom guide roller 45 that supports the back surface of the work table 10 at a position that does not interfere with the rack 35, and side guide rollers 46 that support both side surfaces of the work table 10 in the y-axis direction. It is done.

The table support base 44 includes a traveling wheel 47 and a liftable support leg 48 at the bottom for easy installation or removal depending on the usage situation.

The support leg 48 is configured to be disposed in a state where it is lowered so as to protrude downward from the lower end of the traveling wheel 47 and in a state where it is elevated above the lower end of the traveling wheel 47.

As an elevating means for the support leg 48, for example, a support column 49 with 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 column 49 is rotated with respect to the nut member 50. The support leg 48 may be moved up and down relative to the table support base 44.

Note that the table support base 44 assists the works W1 and W2 when the works W1 and W2 do not protrude from the gantry 8 or when it is not necessary to support the portion where the works W1 and W2 protrude from the gantry 8. If it is not necessary to hold the table support table 44, the table support table 44 may be omitted.

Next, the 1st tool press part 14 and the 2nd tool press part 15 of the joining apparatus main body 5 are demonstrated.

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

The second tool pressing unit 15 includes a second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53 and a second axis direction moving unit 54. Between the other end side of the frame 13 in the y-axis direction and the second main spindle unit 6b, a second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53 and a second axis direction moving unit 54 are arranged in this order from the frame 13 side. Be dressed.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 10, and 11, the first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51 moves the first main shaft unit 6 a along the axial center direction of the probe 2 a (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 axis-orthogonal direction 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 that is a linear motion mechanism in the q-axis direction that moves 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 servo motor 60, a screw shaft 61 connected to the output side of the servo motor 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 so that the screw shaft 61 extends in parallel with the guide rail 56. A nut member 62 of the ball screw mechanism 59 is attached to the moving table 58 via a load cell 63 and an attachment member 64.

The first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 61 by the driving force of the servo motor 60, thereby moving the moving table 58 along the guide rail 56 together with the nut member 62. And move in the q-axis direction.

In the first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51, the moving table 58 can move without control along the guide rail 56 in a state where the driving force by the servomotor 60 is stopped.

The first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51 includes a mechanical gravity compensation mechanism (self-weight compensation mechanism, weight compensation) that supports 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 arranged along the q-axis direction is provided.

One end side of the gas spring 65 is attached to a fixed portion 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 movement unit 52, and the first spindle unit 6a.

The first axial movement unit 52 is configured to move the first main spindle unit 6a in the p-axis direction, as shown in FIGS.

Specifically, the first axial movement unit 52 includes a base plate 66 attached to the movement table 58 of the first axial orthogonal movement unit 51 and a guide provided on the base plate 66 so as to extend in the p-axis direction. A rail 67, a moving table 69 slidably attached to the guide rail 67 via a guide block 68, and a ball that is a linear motion mechanism in the p-axis direction that moves the moving 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 speed reducer 72 connected to the output side of the servo motor 71, a screw shaft 73 connected to the output side of the speed reducer 72, and a nut member attached to the screw shaft 73. 74.

The ball screw mechanism 70 is installed on the surface of the base plate 66 so that 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 moving table 69 via a load cell 75 and an attachment member 76.

The first axial movement unit 52 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 73 via the speed reducer 72 by the driving force of the servo motor 71, thereby moving the moving table 69 together with the nut member 74. Move along the guide rail 67 in the p-axis direction.

The first spindle unit 6a is attached to the moving table 69 as shown in FIG.

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

Specifically, the second axis orthogonal direction moving 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. 79, and a ball screw mechanism 81, which is a linear motion mechanism in the s-axis direction, that moves the movement table 80 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 78.

The ball screw mechanism 81 includes a servo motor 82, a screw shaft 83 connected to the output side of the servo motor 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 so that 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 a load cell 85 and an attachment member 86.

The second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 83 by the driving force of the servo motor 82, thereby moving the moving table 80 along the guide rail 78 together with the nut member 84. And 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 servo motor 82 is stopped.

The second axis orthogonal direction moving unit 53 includes, for example, a s-axis direction as a mechanical gravity compensation mechanism that supports the weight of the moving table 80 and the weight component acting on the moving table 80 in the direction along the guide rail 78. A gas spring 87 arranged along the line is provided.

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

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

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

The ball screw mechanism 92 includes a servo motor 93, a speed reducer 94 connected to the output side of the servo motor 93, a screw shaft 95 coupled to the output side of the speed reducer 94, and a nut member attached to the screw shaft 95. 96.

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

The second axial movement unit 54 having the above configuration rotates the screw shaft 95 via the speed reducer 94 by the driving force of the servo motor 93, thereby moving the moving table 91 together with the nut member 96. It is moved along the guide rail 89 in the r-axis direction.

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

Therefore, according to the joining apparatus 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 performed in the first axis orthogonal direction. Performed by unit 51. Adjustment of the position of the first friction stir welding tool 1a 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 and control of force of the second friction stir welding tool 1b attached to the second spindle unit 6b are performed by the second axis-orthogonal direction moving unit 53. The second axial movement unit 54 adjusts the position of the second friction stir welding tool 1b in the direction along the r-axis and controls the force.

In the joining apparatus main 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, the control of the pressing load on the corner c1 of the first friction stir welding tool 1a can be carried out by controlling only the output of the first axial movement unit 52 based on the detection result of the load cell 75. . The adjustment of the position of the first friction stir welding tool 1a in the q-axis direction can be performed by the first axis-orthogonal direction moving unit 51 without being involved in the control of the pressing load.

Similarly, in the joining apparatus 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, the 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. . Adjustment of the position of the second friction stir welding tool 1b in the s-axis direction can be performed by the second axis-orthogonal direction moving unit 53 without being involved in the control of the pressing load.

For this reason, according to the joining apparatus main body 5, the pressing load of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b when performing the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 can be controlled more reliably.

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

作業 Before starting the friction stir welding, the worker holds the first work W1 and the second work W2 on the work table 10. This work may be performed in a state where the work table 10 is moved in the x-axis direction to a position where it does not interfere with the joining apparatus main body 5 and the work clamp unit 9. At this time, the table support 44 may be used as appropriate.

After the workpieces W1 and W2 are held on the workpiece table 10, the workpiece table 10 is moved along the table moving path 11 by the moving mechanism 12 to start the friction stir welding at the corners c1 and c2 of the workpieces W1 and W2. The side is arranged in the same yz plane as the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b.

After that, in a state where the work clamp unit 9 is disposed at the retracted position separated from the bonding apparatus main body 5, the bonding apparatus main 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. The positions of the spindle units 6a and 6b are adjusted so that the probes 2a and 2b of the tools 1a and 1b are arranged close to the corners c1 and c2.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the work clamp unit 9 is disposed at a close position close to the joining apparatus 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 bonding 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 joining apparatus main body 5 starts the rotational driving units 7a and 7b of the spindle units 6a and 6b to start rotational driving of the probes 2a and 2b. Thereafter, the joining apparatus main body 5 moves the spindle units 6a and 6b in the axial direction (p-axis direction and r-axis direction) of the probes 2a and 2b by the axial movement units 52 and 54, thereby rotating the probe in a rotationally driven state. 2a and 2b are immersed in the corners 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 surface P2a of the second workpiece W2, and the workpiece contact surface 4b of the fixed shoulder 3b is brought into contact with the first workpiece W1. The surface P1 of the workpiece W1 is brought into contact with the other side surface P2b of the second workpiece W2.

Thus, the stirring areas s1 and s2 by the immersed probes 2a and 2b are formed in the corners c1 and c2 at symmetrical positions with the second workpiece W2 interposed therebetween 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 fixed joining apparatus main body 5 move relative to the corners c1 and c2 that move along with the movement of the work table 10. As a result, friction stir welding along the corners c1 and c2 is started simultaneously at the corners c1 and c2.

When the friction stir welding is started in this way, in the joining apparatus main body 5, a load for pressing the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b against the corners c1 and c2 by the axial movement units 52 and 54 is set in advance. Control for the axial movement units 52 and 54 is started so as to coincide with the set target value.

At the same time, the joining apparatus main body 5 interrupts the control and power of the servo motors 60 and 82 for the axis orthogonal direction moving units 51 and 53. As a result, in the first axis orthogonal direction moving unit 51, the position of the first main spindle unit 6a held on the moving table 58 via the first axis direction moving unit 52 depends on 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 axis direction moving unit 54 depends on the external force acting in the s-axis direction. It will change freely.

As a result, even if the corners c1 and c2 are misaligned, the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b slide along the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1, thereby causing friction stir. 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 corners c1, c2 of the friction stir welding tools 1a, 1b is held constant by the axial movement units 52, 54.

For this reason, the friction stir welding along the corners c1 and c2 can be performed in a state where the positions of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are made to follow the corners c1 and c2.

While the frictional stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 is performed as described above, the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are attached to the corner portion c1 and c2 by the axial movement units 52 and 54 in the joining apparatus body 5. The reaction force of the pressing load that is pressing is input. However, the influence of the reaction force does not reach the work clamp unit 9 which is a separate body from the joining apparatus main body 5. Therefore, while the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 is performed, the workpiece clamping unit 9 can keep the bonding posture of the workpieces W1 and W2 accurately.

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

Next, the axis orthogonal direction moving units 51 and 53 resume control by the servo motors 60 and 82, and the axis orthogonal direction moving units 51 and 53 and the axis direction moving units 52 and 54 cause the friction stir welding tool 1a, 1b is moved in a direction away from the corners c1 and c2. Thereby, the probes 2a and 2b are extracted from the corner portions c1 and c2. Thereafter, the rotational driving of the probes 2a and 2b by the spindle units 6a and 6b is stopped.

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

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

According to the friction stir welding apparatus of this embodiment, the friction stir welding of the corners c1 and c2 between the workpieces W1 and W2 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 this embodiment, the work clamp unit 9 is formed separately from the welding apparatus main body 5. Therefore, the workpiece clamping unit 9 holds the workpieces W1 and W2 between the workpieces W1 and W2 while maintaining the bonding posture between the workpieces W1 and W2 without being affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b. 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 workpieces 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 arranged at the corners c1 and c2.

When performing friction stir welding at a corner using a friction stir welding tool of the type equipped with a conventional rotary shoulder, a triangular cross-section member is placed at the corner or one corner is placed on one workpiece. Pre-processing such as providing a portion protruding in a triangular cross section in the section is necessary. However, in the friction stir welding apparatus of this embodiment, these pretreatments are not necessary.

Furthermore, the protruding amounts of the probes 2a and 2b from the fixed shoulders 3a and 3b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are set so that partial stirring can be performed.

For this reason, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, in the case of performing all stir welding where the stirring regions by the probes arranged at the corners interfere with each other, as in the conventional friction stir welding at the corners. The amount of insertion of the probes 2a and 2b into the corners c1 and c2 can be reduced as compared with the amount of insertion of the probes into the corners.

Thereby, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, when the probes 2a and 2b are moved in a state where they are immersed in the corners c1 and c2, the reaction force received by the probes 2a and 2b is subjected to the total stir welding. In this case, it can be made smaller than the reaction force received by the probe. Therefore, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the construction speed of the friction stir welding can be improved as compared with the case where all the stir welding is performed, 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 that is locally input to the vicinity of the portion where the probes 2a and 2b are immersed in the workpieces W1 and W2 by the frictional heat generated by the individual probes 2a and 2b is the total stirring. Compared to the case of joining. Therefore, generation | occurrence | production of the distortion | strain and deformation | transformation by the heat | fever of the workpiece | work W1, W2 can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the friction stir welding is simultaneously performed from both sides of the second workpiece W2 with respect to 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 of the present embodiment, the workpieces W1, W1 and C2 are compared with the case where the corners c1 and c2 are heated by frictional heat generated by probes arranged at different positions in the x-axis direction. W2 can be heated more efficiently. Therefore, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the friction stir welding between the corner portion c1 and the corner portion c2 can be stably performed by using a high 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. In addition, since the resistance when the probes 2a and 2b are rotationally driven is reduced, the life of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b can be improved.

Further, when the corner c1 and the corner c2 are heated by the frictional heat generated by the probes arranged at different positions in the x-axis direction, either the corner c1 or the corner c2 is preceded. Since the other is heated later, the heat input conditions may not be uniform. However, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, heat input to the corner portions c1 and c2 can be made uniform.

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

In FIG. 14, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the work clamp unit 109 according to the present embodiment, among the side clamp rollers, side clamp rollers 22a and 22e (see FIG. 5) that are disposed at positions away from the gantry 8 in the z-axis direction and supported by the frame 16 via the bracket 23. 7) can be attached to and detached from the frame 16 together with the bracket 23. FIG. 14 shows a 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, a state in which the hydraulic cylinder 26 is directly attached to the frame 16 as in the first embodiment (FIG. 7), and a state in which the hydraulic cylinder 26 is attached to the frame 16 via a support member 99 as shown in FIG. Can be changed. The column 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 such that the pair of side clamp rollers 22a, 22b and It is used when the distance is smaller than the distance to the upper ends of the pair of side clamp rollers 22e and 22f (see FIG. 7).

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.

In the work clamp unit 109 in the present embodiment, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14, the upper end (dimension in the z-axis direction) of the second work W2 arranged in the joining posture on the work table 10 is a pair of side surfaces. When the clamp rollers 22a and 22b and the pair of side clamp rollers 22e and 22f (see FIG. 7) are not reached, 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 through the support members 99. At this time, the side clamp rollers 22a and 22e that 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 retracted in advance to a position where they do not interfere with the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b by the hydraulic cylinder 24.

As a result, the work clamp unit 109 according to this embodiment is configured so that the bonding posture of the first work W1 and the second work W2 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. , 22d and the top clamp rollers 25a, 25b.

Therefore, also by the friction stir welding apparatus of this embodiment, the friction stir welding process of the corner portions c1 and c2 of the first workpiece W1 and the second workpiece W2 can be performed as in the first embodiment. The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The work clamp unit 9 is formed separately from the joining apparatus main body 5, and the first work is mounted on a frame 16 different from the frame 13. A configuration other than that shown in the drawings may be used as long as it includes a roller that holds a portion for performing friction stir welding between W1 and the second workpiece W2 in a bonding posture.

For example, although the number of the side clamp rollers 22a to 22f is shown as three pairs, it may be appropriately increased or decreased according to the size and weight of the workpieces 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 dimension (dimension in the axial direction) of the outer peripheral surface may be appropriately changed without being limited to those illustrated.

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

Furthermore, a plurality of work clamp units 9 may be arranged on the front side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the tool relative movement direction t with respect to the joining apparatus main body 5. In this case, the work clamp units 9 other than the work clamp unit 9 disposed closest to the joining apparatus main body 5 may be configured to include only the gate-shaped portion 17 by omitting the protruding portion 18 of the frame 16.

As a pressing means for the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, and 22f, as long as the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, and 22f can be pressed against the second workpiece W2 from the side, a pneumatic cylinder, a feed screw mechanism, or the like other than the hydraulic cylinder 24 can be used. Any configuration may be adopted.

The side clamp rollers 22a, 22c, and 22e that are paired with the side clamp rollers 22b, 22d, and 22f of the work clamp unit 9 may include pressing means.

As the pressing means for the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b, if the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b can be pressed against the edge of the second workpiece W2 opposite to the first workpiece, a hydraulic cylinder, a feed screw mechanism, or the like can be used. Any configuration other than the cylinder 26 may be adopted.

In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the column member 99 is attached between the hydraulic cylinder 26 and the frame 16 in order to adjust the positions of the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b is shown. However, instead of providing the support member 99, the hydraulic cylinder 26 may be configured to have a stroke longer than the length of the support member 99.

The friction stir welding apparatus in the present disclosure is formed by a first work W1 and a second work W2 whose end edges are abutted with each other in 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 that are to be used may be subject to friction stir welding. In this case, since the angle between the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2a of the second workpiece 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 an angled end corresponding to the angle between the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2a of the second workpiece W2. Similarly, since the angle between the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2b of the second workpiece W2 is other than 90 degrees, the second friction stir welding tool used for the friction stir welding of the corner portion c2 The fixed shoulder 3b of 1b is formed to have an angled end corresponding to the angle between the surface P1 of the first workpiece W1 and the side surface P2b of the second workpiece W2.

Also, the probes 2a and 2b of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b are arranged along the angle bisector of the angle of the angle at 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 arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the second work W2, and the top clamp rollers 25a and 25b are placed along the surface of the second work W2. And tilt.

Furthermore, the joining apparatus main body 5 is fixed to the corners 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 a pair of friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b including the type shoulders 3a and 3b can be arranged and the friction stir welding of the corner portions c1 and c2 can be performed, a configuration other than that illustrated may be provided. For example, in the joining apparatus main body 5, the first axis 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 6 a. The arrangement (order) in the x-axis direction may be interchanged. Similarly, the second tool pressing portion 15 includes an x between the second axis-orthogonal direction moving unit 53 and the second axis-direction moving unit 54 interposed between the frame 13 and the second spindle unit 6b. The arrangement (order) in the axial direction may be changed.

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

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

Further, the first tool pressing portion 14 and the second tool pressing portion 15 can control the positions of the friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b and control 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 a moving unit including a table moving in the y-axis direction and a moving unit including a table moving in the z-axis direction may be combined and controlled.

The pair of friction stir welding tools 1a and 1b arranged at the corners c1 and c2 may be arranged with their positions in the x-axis direction shifted from each other.

The moving mechanism 12 may have a configuration other than that shown in the drawing as long as it can move the work table 10 along the x-axis direction. For example, a ball screw mechanism or an actuator may be used as the moving mechanism 12. Or the moving mechanism 12 is good also as a structure provided with the rack provided in the mount frame 8 side, and the pinion gear which can be rotationally driven provided in the worktable 10 side.

Xy plane which arrange | positions the surface P1 of the 1st workpiece | work W1 may be inclined instead of a horizontal surface. In this case, the angle of the above-described three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system used for the description of the device configuration may be changed based on the xy plane.

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

In this case, a filler is inserted into the front side in the tool relative movement direction t at the top of the chevron formed by the workpiece 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 corners c1 and c2 after joining is provided on the rear side in the tool relative movement direction t.

The main body of the joining apparatus is not limited to a friction stir welding tool of a type having a fixed shoulder, but may have a configuration having a friction stir welding tool of a type having a rotary shoulder.

Furthermore, the friction stir welding apparatus of the present disclosure may be used for joining arbitrary joints other than the two corner portions c1 and c2 as long as the joints are between the workpieces to be joined.

For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where friction stir welding is performed on a joint portion in which the edge portions of plate-like workpieces are arranged to face each other. In this case, the work clamp unit is formed separately from the main body of the joining device, in the vicinity of the place where the friction stir welding tool of the main body of the joining device is arranged, in particular, at a position on the front side in the tool relative movement direction t. A roller (rolling element) is provided for pressing the work surface to maintain the joining posture. Thereby, the workpiece clamp unit can clamp the workpiece and maintain the joining posture between the roller pressed against the surface of the workpiece and a member such as a table or a base on which the workpiece is arranged.

The direction in which the work clamp unit 9 is moved away from the joining apparatus main body 5 other than the x-axis direction from the proximity position where the work clamp unit 9 is brought close to the joining apparatus main body 5 during the friction stir welding may not be the x-axis direction. In that case, instead of the guide rail 19 in the x-axis direction, a guide portion extending in the retracting direction may be provided.

Although the work clamp unit 9 can be moved from the proximity position close to the joining apparatus body 5 during friction stir welding to the retracted position away from the joining apparatus body 5, the work clamp unit 9 is close to the joining apparatus body 5. It may be removably fixed at the position.

Furthermore, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present disclosure performs friction stir welding by fixing a work to be joined and moving a joining apparatus body having a friction stir welding tool along a joint between the fixed works. You may apply to an apparatus. In this case, when the work clamp unit is disposed at a position close to the side preceding the moving direction of the bonding apparatus main body and moves the bonding apparatus main body in the direction in which the bonding portion extends in order to perform friction stir welding, the work clamp is The unit may be pushed by the joining apparatus main body and moved together. Further, the work clamp unit may include a moving mechanism for moving in synchronization with the joining apparatus main body.

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

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to friction stir weld the joint between the workpieces while maintaining the joining posture of the workpieces to be joined in a state not affected by the reaction force of the pressing load of the friction stir welding tool. A friction stir welding apparatus can be provided.

1a First friction stir welding tool (friction stir welding tool)
1b Second friction stir welding tool (friction stir welding tool)
5 Bonding device body 9 Work clamp unit 13 Frame (first frame)
16 frames (second frame)
22a-22f Side clamp roller (first rolling element)
25a, 25b Top clamp roller (second rolling element)
W1 First work (work)
W2 Second work (work)
c1, c2 corner (joint)

Claims (9)

1. A joining apparatus body comprising a friction stir welding tool for friction stir welding of joints between a plurality of workpieces in contact with each other;
   A work agitation joining apparatus, comprising: a work clamp unit that includes a rolling element that is formed separately from the joining apparatus main body and configured to hold the work when performing friction stir welding of the joint.
2. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the work clamp unit is configured to be movable between a proximity position close to the joining apparatus main body and a retracted position separated from the joining apparatus main body.
3. 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.
4. The joining apparatus main 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 joining apparatus main body.
5. The joining apparatus main body is configured to apply a spindle unit configured to rotationally drive a probe of the friction stir welding tool and a pressing load for pressing the friction stir welding tool toward the joint. A tool pressing part,
   The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the spindle unit is attached to the first frame via the tool pressing portion.
6. The second frame is disposed proximate to the friction stir welding tool;
   The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rolling elements are attached to the second frame.
7. The second frame includes a gate-shaped portion and a protruding portion that protrudes from the surface of the portal-shaped portion where the bonding device main body is desired toward 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.
8. The plurality of workpieces include a first workpiece and a second workpiece arranged in contact with an edge in a posture intersecting at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface of the first workpiece,
   The joint is corners on both sides of the second workpiece formed by the first workpiece and the second workpiece,
   The rolling element of the work clamp unit includes a pair of first rolling elements that hold the second work from both sides, and a side opposite to the side on which the first work is provided. The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a second rolling element held at the end.
9. The rolling element is a front side of a portion where the friction stir welding is performed in a tool relative movement direction in which the friction stir welding tool is relatively moved with respect to the joint when the friction stir welding of the joint is performed. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the friction stir welding apparatus is provided at a position where the friction stir welding is performed and a position where the friction stir welding is performed.

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