Sizing of a Robot System for Joining by Friction Stir Welding Process

Abstract:

The first application of a FSW (Friction Stir Welding) robot was presented to the public in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2000, during the Friction Stir Welding Symposium by two different research groups. One group used an ABB IRB-6400 anthropomorphic robot combined with a 220W electric motor and the other a Neos robot with parallel rods. Although FSW is worldwide covered by many research groups, only few have been focusing on the implementation of the process on industrial robots. Some of the research groups and companies working on robotic FSW are HZG, Riftec, IWB and KUKA (jointly with Airbus Group) in Germany, ESAB in Sweden, Institut Maupertuis and Institut de soudure in France, Cewac in Belgium and Friction Stir Link in the USA. The objective of this article is to present the state of the art with regard to the use of the FSW welding process, besides evidencing the process carried out for the design of a complete system for robotized welding using a COMAU SMART NJ500 anthropomorphic robot with 6 degrees of freedom and capacity of 500 kg.

Key-words:
Friction stir welding; Welding; Robotization; Friction; Industrial