GB1481215A - Friction welding - Google Patents

Abstract

1481215 Joining glass CLARKE CHAPMAN Ltd 14 May 1975 [27 June 1974] 28480/74 Heading ClM [Also in Divisions B3 and B5] A method of friction welding in which two workpieces 10, 12 are pressed together and orbital translatory motion is applied to both workpieces in the same rotary sense, and preferably at the same speed, to generate heat for welding. When the workpieces are ready for welding either the amplitudes of the orbital motions are reduced (Fig. 2, not shown), the phase difference between the motions is reduced (Fig. 3, not shown), the motions are reduced in speed, or where the orbital motions occur about spaced axes the distance between the axes are reduced and the amplitudes or the phase differences are/is reduced in order that the workpieces are arranged in a required alignment, and then weld pressure can be applied. The orbital motions may be about the same axes (e.g. 20, Fig. 1), or different axes, the orbits being either circular or elliptical. In apparatus for performing the method two workholders 218, 232, mounted on two eccentrics 216, 230 and held from rotating by restraints 220, 234 are translated by two motors one in a fixed head 202 the other in a sliding head 204 the phase difference on being maintained and adjusted by a shaft 206 and in gear system 20. The shaft 206, geared to the motor 204, is connected to a planet gear carrier 240 carrying two planet gears 242, 244 which mesh with internal teeth of a fixed ring gear 246 and a sun gear 248. A shaft 210, geared to the motor 202, is connected to a planet gear carrier 250 having planet gears 252, 254 meshing with a rotatable ring gear 256 and the sun gear 248. If the ring gear 256 is fixed during operation then the two workholders will orbit at a constant phase difference, however the ring gear 256 is rotated then the phase difference can be made to approach zero, at which time welding can be effected. In an alternative (Fig. 9, not shown), the workholders are mounted on two in-phase eccentrics, no restraint 220, 234 being required. A single motor may be connected to shaft 206 instead of using two separate motors. The sliding head 204 may be moved by a hydraulic ram. The method and apparatus may be applied to joining different or the same materials, the materials being metals, plastics, glass or ceramics. Both heads may be slidably mounted on the base.