Page 28 - Welding Robots Technology, System Issues, and Applications

Welding Robots
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The company TWI (Cambridge, England) developed in 1991 the new and
impressive Friction Stir Welding Process in its laboratory. This process is
considerably different from the rotary technology whereby a hard, non
consumable, cylindrical tool causes friction, plasticizing two metals into a solid-
state bond. This process does not require any shielding gas or filler metal, produces
good quality welds for at least aluminum series 2XXX, 6XXX and 7XXX, and was
used successfully to weld the impressive fuel tank of the Space Shuttle (NASA).

Figure 1.4. A Greek design adapted by al-Jazari for a garden animated hand-washer

Laser welding is one of the newest processes. The laser was originally developed at
the Bell Telephone Laboratories as a communications device. Because of the
tremendous concentration of energy in a small space, it proved to be a powerful
heat source. It has been used for cutting metals and nonmetals. Continuous pulse
equipment is available. The laser is finding welding applications in automotive
metalworking operations. The first automotive production application of laser