TWI

The detection principles of 3D forces during bobbin tool friction stir welding (BT-FSW) were considered and the filtered data of axial force, tool torque and horizontal force were analysed to develop models to describe the relationships between torq…

A description is presented of a 5-axis gantry machine for friction stir welding (FSW) of full-size aluminium structures for applications ranging from armoured vehicle chassis and other military vehicles to more delicate 3D aircraft structures. The g…

An arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation was developed to simulate the plunge, dwell and welding stages of the friction stir welding process using "FORGE3" finite element software, and the friction coefficients from a viscoplastic law were…

The main factors to be considered in the automation and robotisation of friction stir welding (FSW) and the production of one-, two- and three-dimensional welds were identified. A FSW robotic cell was developed and force control algorithms were defi…

Models were developed for the temperature distribution and material flow during friction stir welding. Both friction and material shearing were presumed to generate heat, and finite element analysis was used to determine the temperature distribution…

A report is presented into the "RoboFSW" project, intended to qualify a high payload articulated arm robot for friction stir welding (FSW); hardware modification and control system integration are described and 3D FSW capability is reported for circ…

A comparative investigation was undertaken of MIG and friction stir welding of AW 6082-T6 alloys (Al, 0.63%Mg, 0.84%Si, 0.71%Mn) for marine applications such as structural panels in pontoons, and the welded joint microstructure and mechanical proper…