Device and method for changing the welding direction of the welding shoulder of a system for a friction stir welding process virtually without delay
The invention relates to a device and a method for changing the welding direction of the welding shoulder of a system for a friction stir welding process virtually without delay when required by the geometric arrangement of the joint partners to be welded or by a material unevenness, having the following method features: a) a main part ( 1 ) with a horizontally movable bridge support ( 5 ) has a friction welding head ( 12 ) which can be vertically adjusted together therewith and which has a pin receiving area ( 13 ) for mounting and driving a welding pin tip ( 14 ), wherein the welding shoulder ( 18 ) has a welding shoulder receiving area ( 17 ) which is supported at multiple points, and b) the welding shoulder receiving area ( 17 ) can be adjusted to any angle of attack relative to the joint partners by means of different push-pull rods ( 16 ) during the welding process.
1. A device for changing the welding direction of the welding shoulder of a system for friction stir welding when required by the geometrical arrangement of the parts to be joined by welding or unevennesses of the material, with the following features:
a) a main body ( 1 ) with a welding table ( 15 ) and a bridge support ( 5 ) for the suspension ( 10 ) of a friction welding head ( 12 ), wherein the friction welding head ( 12 ) can steplessly move horizontally and vertically over the entire area of the welding table ( 15 ),
b) a pin mount ( 13 ) for securing and driving a welding pin tip ( 14 ) of the friction welding head ( 12 ), wherein the welding pin tip ( 14 ) is guided within a welding shoulder ( 18 ) which can be cardanically moved by a welding shoulder mount ( 17 ),
c) the welding shoulder mount ( 17 ) is controlled at multiple points, spaced apart from one another, by in each case a main adjusting drive ( 21 ), respectively articulated on the friction welding head ( 12 ), by means of in each case a push and pull rod ( 16 ) against the pressure of a spring package ( 25 ).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, on at least one of the push and pull rods ( 16 ), the main adjusting drive is provided with a piezo fine regulating device ( 22 ), wherein a respectively acting force is monitored by means of a pressure measuring sensor ( 23 ).
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the spring package ( 25 ) comprises of a combination of spring elements and controlled piezo elements.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the weld produced is observed by at least one camera ( 26 ) with means for pattern recognition.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein means for measuring a angle of adjustment ( 31 ) of the welding shoulder ( 18 ) are provided.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the welding shoulder ( 18 ) is heatable.
7. A method for changing the welding direction of the welding shoulder of a system for friction stir welding when required by the geometrical arrangement of the parts to be joined by welding or unevennesses of the material, with the following method features:
a) a main body ( 1 ) with a horizontally movable bridge support ( 5 ) has a friction welding head ( 12 ), vertically adjustable with it, which bears a pin mount ( 13 ) for securing and driving a welding pin tip ( 14 ), wherein a welding shoulder ( 18 ) can be cardanically moved by a welding shoulder mount ( 17 ),
b) the welding shoulder mount ( 17 ) can be adjusted to any angles of contact in relation to the parts to be joined during the welding operation by means of various push and pull rods ( 16 ),
wherein the method comprises:
changing the welding direction of the welding should mount ( 17 ) during welding.
8. The device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the push and pull rods ( 16 ) have piezo fine regulating devices ( 22 ).