Design and Implementation of Nonlinear Force Controllers for Friction Stir Welding Processes

Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Prabhanjana Kalya ◽  
Robert G. Landers ◽  
K. Krishnamurthy

In friction stir welding (FSW) processes, force control can be used to achieve good welding quality. This paper presents the systematic design and implementation of FSW force controllers. The axial and path forces are modeled as nonlinear functions of the FSW process parameters (i.e., plunge depth, tool traverse rate, and tool rotation speed). Equipment models, which include communication delays, are constructed to relate the commanded and measured actuator signals. Based on the dynamic process and equipment models, nonlinear feedback controllers for the axial and path forces are designed using the polynomial pole placement technique. The controllers are implemented in a Smith predictor-corrector structure to compensate for the inherent equipment communication delays, and the controller parameters are tuned to achieve the best closed loop response possible given equipment limitations. In the axial force controller implementation, a constant axial force is maintained, even when gaps are encountered during the welding process. In the path force controller implementation, a constant path force is maintained, even in the presence of gaps, and wormhole generation during the welding process is eliminated by regulating the path force.

Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Prabhanjana Kalya ◽  
Robert G. Landers ◽  
K. Krishnamurthy

In Friction Stir Welding (FSW) processes, force control can be used to achieve good welding quality. This paper presents the systematic design and implementation of a FSW path force controller. The path force is modeled as a nonlinear function of the FSW process parameters (i.e., plunge depth, tool traverse rate, and tool rotation speed). An equipment model, which includes a communication delay, is constructed to relate the commanded and measured tool rotation speed. Based on the dynamic process and equipment models, a feedback controller for the path force is designed using the Polynomial Pole Placement technique. The controller is implemented in a Smith Predictor–Corrector structure to compensate for the inherent equipment communication delay and the controller parameters are tuned to achieve the best closed loop response possible given equipment limitations. In the path force controller implementation, a constant path force is maintained, even in the presence of gaps, and wormhole generation during the welding process is eliminated by regulating the path force.


2011 ◽  
Vol 415-417 ◽  
pp. 1140-1146 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Palanivel ◽  
P. Koshy Mathews ◽  
M. Balakrishnan ◽  
I. Dinaharan ◽  
N. Murugan

Aluminium alloys generally has low weldability by traditional fusion welding process. The development of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) has provided an alternative improved way of producing aluminium joints, in a faster and reliable manner. FSW process has several advantages, in particular the possibility to weld dissimilar aluminium alloys. This study focuses on the behavior of tensile strength of dissimilar joints of AA6351-T6 alloy to AA5083-H111 alloy produced by friction stir welding was analysed. Five different tool pin profile such as Straight Square (SS), Tapered Square (TS), Straight Hexagon (SH), Straight Octagon (SO) and Tapered Octagon (TO) with three different axial force (1tonne, 1.5tonne, 2 tonne) have been used to weld the joints. The effect of pin profiles and axial force on tensile properties and material flow behaviour of the joint was analyzed and it was found that the straight square pin profile with 1.5 tonne produced better tensile strength then other tool pin profile and axial force.


Author(s):  
Hosein Atharifar ◽  
Radovan Kovacevic

Minimizing consumed energy in friction stir welding (FSW) is one of the prominent considerations in the process development. Modifications of the FSW tool geometry might be categorized as the initial attempt to achieve a minimum FSW effort. Advanced tool pin and shoulder features as well as a low-conductive backing plate, high-conductive FSW tools equipped with cooling fins, and single or multi-step welding processes are all carried out to achieve a flawless weld with reduced welding effort. The outcomes of these attempts are considerable, primarily when the tool pin traditional designs are replaced with threaded, Trifiute or Trivex geometries. Nevertheless, the problem remains as to how an inclined tool affects the material flow characteristics and the loads applied to the tool. It is experimentally proven that a positive rake angle facilitates the traverse motion of the FSW tool; however, few computational evidences were provided. In this study, numerical material flow and heat transfer analysis are carried out for the presumed tool rake angle ranging from −4° to 4°. Afterwards, the effects of the tool rake angle to the dynamic pressure distribution, strain-rates, and velocity profiles are numerically computed. Furthermore, coefficients of drag, lift, and side force and moment applied to the tool from the visco-plastic material region are computed for each of the tool rake angles. Eventually, this paper confirms that the rake angle dramatically affects the magnitude of the loads applied to the FSW tool, and the developed advanced numerical model might be used to find optimum tool rake angle for other aluminum alloys.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1119 ◽  
pp. 597-600
Author(s):  
Hyun Ho Jung ◽  
Ye Rim Lee ◽  
Jong Hoon Yoon ◽  
Joon Tae Yoo ◽  
Kyung Ju Min ◽  
...  

Since solid state welded joint is formed from an intimate contact between two metals at temperatures below the melting point of the base materials, the structural integrity of welding depends on time, temperature, and pressure. This paper provides some of examples of friction stir welding and diffusion welding process for aerospace components. Friction stir welding process of AA2195 was developed in order to study possible application for a large fuel tank. Massive diffusion welding of multiple titanium sheets was performed and successful results were obtained. Diffusion welding of dissimilar metals of copper and stainless steel was necessary to manufacture a scaled combustion chamber. Diffusion welding of copper and steel was performed and it is shown that the optimum condition of diffusion welding is 7MPa at 890°C, for one hour. It is shown that solid state welding processes can be successfully applied to fabricate lightweight aerospace parts.


Author(s):  
Youliang He ◽  
Paul R. Dawson ◽  
Donald E. Boyce

The evolution of voids (damage) in friction stir welding processes was simulated using a void growth model that incorporates viscoplastic flow and strain hardening of incompressible materials during plastic deformation. The void growth rate is expressed as a function of the void volume fraction, the effective deformation rate, and the ratio of the mean stress to the strength of the material. A steady-state Eulerian finite element formulation was employed to calculate the flow and thermal fields in three dimensions, and the evolution of the strength and damage was evaluated by integrating the evolution equations along the streamlines obtained in the Eulerian configuration. The distribution of internal voids within the material was qualitatively compared with experimental results, and a good agreement was observed in terms of the spatial location of voids. The effects of pin geometry and operational parameters such as tool rotational and travel speeds on the evolution of damage were also examined.


2012 ◽  
Vol 504-506 ◽  
pp. 741-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Montazerolghaem ◽  
Mohsen Badrossamay ◽  
Alireza Fadaei Tehrani

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid state joining method that can be used to achieve very good weld quality. This technique is energy efficient, environment friendly, and versatile. The FSW process utilizes a rotating tool in which includes a pin and shoulder to perform the welding process. FSW applications in high strength alloys, such as stainless steel remain limited due to large welding force and consequent tool wear. It has been shown that applying the ultrasonic vibration on some processes such as turning and drilling the resultant forces are decreased and process condition is improved. In this paper the influence of applying vibration on FSW is investigated in simulating tools. For FSW modeling a proper transfer function of axial force has been proposed. The resultant axial force of conventional FSW and Vibration Assisted FSW (VAFSW) are compared in frequency and time domain state spaces. A good correlation between FSW simulation and experiments is observed. For further investigation of VAFSW the response surface of design of experiment (DOE) method is utilized. The influence of changing VAFSW process parameters is investigated. The simulation results indicate that vibration helps to decrease the welding force. Using DOE method the effects of implemented frequency and vibration speed amplitude in FSW are found.


2015 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. 309-316
Author(s):  
Sergio Pellegrino ◽  
Livan Fratini ◽  
Marion Merklein ◽  
Wolfgang Böhm ◽  
Hung Nguyen

Focus of this paper is to model the plastic forming behavior of AA6082, in order to develop the numerical FE analysis of the friction stir welding processes and the simulation of subsequent forming processes. During the friction stir welding process, the temperatures reached are until 500 °C and have a fundamental role for the correct performance of the process so the material data has to show a temperature dependency. Because of the tool rotation a strain rate sensitivity of the material has to be respected as well. In this context, the general material characteristics of AA6082 were first identified for different stress states. For the uniaxial state the standard PuD-Al used in the automotive industry was applied, for the shear state the ASTM B831-05 was used and for biaxial states the ISO 16842 was exploited. To characterize the plastic flow behavior of the AA6082 at elevated temperatures tensile tests were performed according to DIN EN ISO 6892-2 from 25 °C until 500 °C with a strain rate from 0.1 s-1up to 6.5 s-1.


Friction stir welding (FSW) is a type of joining process, it uses solid state welding method, also it is widely used in same type and different types of welding like Al, Mg, Cu, Ti, and their alloys. In this study, friction stir welding of two aluminum alloys AA6082 is done with many sets of tool rotation speed, feed and axial force. In this experimental work FSW process was carried out for AA 6082 and optimization of that FSW process parameters were find out for maximum tensile strength values. Taguchi’s L4 orthogonal array was utilized for three parameters – tool rotational speed (TRS), traverse speed (TS), and axial force (AXF) with two levels. Several optimization was carried out with Taguchi method of grey relational tests. During the investigation obtained highest tensile strength value fourth sample 60.887 N/mm2 and lowest hardness strength value second sample 31HRB and bead appearance found very best surface occurred fourth test plates at the same time angle distortion observed very fine in the fourth test plate. The result was calculated for both ultimate tensile strength and hardness value. The expected grey relational grade was shifted from 0.704 to 0.792, it was the highest value received throughout this experimental results. It was mentioned that the multi-responses of FSW process was improved with this method.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-484
Author(s):  
Esmeralda Ramírez-Méndez ◽  
Mario Cantu-Sifuentes ◽  
David Salvador González-González ◽  
Argelia Fabiola Miranda-Pérez ◽  
Rolando Javier Praga-Alejo

Abstract Often, welding processes used in the industry affect the mechanical properties of materials and quality of a manufactured product. There is, however, an alternative process named Friction Stir Welding (FSW), which is an solid state welding process developed to weld light alloys without compromising their mechanical properties. It is of interest to monitor the performance of FSW process to detect loss of quality. In practice, superficial and internal defects can be found; they can be identified through simple visual inspection and through visual recognition on destructive testing respectively, both procedures represent inspection by attributes. Therefore a multi-attribute control chart is assessed to monitor the process. Commonly, multi-attribute control charts involve high sampling rates to ensure accurate monitoring. In this paper, a multi-attribute control chart is proposed, considering the use of empirical control limits, instead of the theoretical ones, in order to improve its accuracy and lessen the small sample sizes effect. The performance of proposed approaches is analyzed by means of Monte Carlo simulation. The results suggest that the performance of the empirical designs is better than the theoretical ones in all tested cases. Finally, the results of monitoring FSW process data are detailed.


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