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Pin Load Control Applied to Retractable Pin Tool Technology and its CharacterizationUntil the development of retractable pin tool (RPT) technology, friction stir welding (FSW) was limited to constant thickness joining of aluminum materials and the choices of keyhole elimination focused on traditional fusion and plug weld repair techniques. An invention, US Patent Number 5,893,507, "Auto-Adjustable Pin Tool for Friction Stir Welding" assigned to NASA, demonstrated an approach to resolve these serious drawbacks. This approach brings forth a technique that allows the crater, or keyhole, to be closed out automatically at the end of the weld joint without adding any additional equipment or material. Also the probe length can be varied automatically in the weld joint to compensate for material thickness changes, such as, in a tapered joint. This paper reports the effects of pin extension and retraction rates in the weld joint and its correlation to weld quality. The investigation utilized a pin load-detecting device that was integrated in the Phase 2A RPT designed by Boeing for NASA/MSFC. The RPT modification provided pin load data that was accessed and used to eliminate root side indications and determine pin manipulation rates necessary to produce consistence homogeneous joints.
Document ID
20000039354
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Oelgoetz, Peter A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2000
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Aeromat Conference
Location: Seattle, WA
Country: United States
Start Date: June 26, 2000
End Date: June 29, 2000
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA Order H-31946-D
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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