| 摘要 |
<p>A friction stir welding apparatus includes a C-shaped frame (12) having two opposing jaws (14, 16) which are spaced apart to define a space (18) for receiving workpieces which are to be welded together. One of the jaws supports a rotatably driven friction stir welding spindle (36), and the other jaw supports a back-up tool (28). The spindle is supported in a polycrystalline thrust bearing (34) disposed in the one jaw for absorbing thrust forces exerted on the spindle during a welding operation. The C-shaped frame may be an integral one-piece structure, in which case the apparatus and workpieces are relatively advanced to cause the spindle to penetrate the workpieces at an edge thereof and to carry the welding tools along a weld path to a second edge of the workpieces, where the spindle exits and disengages the workpieces. Alternatively, the C-shaped frame may comprise a pair of separate jaws which are pivotally connected in scissor fashion, in which case the jaws may be pivotally urged toward one another to carry the welding tools into engagement with the workpieces for performing a welding operation. The C-shaped frame balances and absorbs the large thrust loads imposed on friction stir welding tools.</p> |
