Friction Stir Welding (FSW) 

To encourage collaboration in a technology viewed as highly proprietary from an applications standpoint, a team of technology users will focus initially on a Design of Experiment approach evaluating Friction Stir Welding/Processing of specific alloys and joint geometries of interest as part of building a sharable friction stir processing database.  Then, under the guidance of the user team, friction stir welding system design and build is incorporated in a phased approach into the project scope focusing on the design and development of down-sized systems.  One new portable design and one retro-fitted multi-axis machining center, suitable for field deployment, depot use, and/or production assembly line installation will be targeted.

The ultimate FSW project objectives are to: 

1.      Develop a FSW welding system that is portable.  The FSW portable system should be capable of being moved around either within a manufacturing or repair environment or to the field for service repairs.

2.      Develop a FSW/FSP conversion specification for a multi-axis machining center.  Implement a conversion at Anniston Army Depot. 

Deliverables:

·         FSW materials, joints, and piece geometry database generated from published literature and project conducted Design of Experiments

·         Prototype FSW portable welding system

·         Multi-axis machining center conversion specification and implementation.