Friction stir welding apparatus and method and processing apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention provides a friction stir welding apparatus and method and a processing apparatus and method, which are not easily affected by deformations of a work being processed. The friction stir welding apparatus inserts a rotating tool into the work and moves the rotating tool relative to the work to join members of the work. The friction stir welding apparatus and method and the processing apparatus and method of the invention, the latter cutting or grinding the work with a rotating cutter or grindstone, comprises controlling a relative distance between the tool, cutter or grindstone and the work under the joining or processing operation or an insertion depth so that the load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the tool, cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range, and a controller therefor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A processing apparatus for cutting or grinding a work by moving a rotating cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising a controller for controlling a relative distance in a cutter or grindstone insertion direction between the cutter or grindstone and the work during the processing operation or an insertion depth of the cutter or grindstone into the work so that a load or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range.  
     
     
         2 . A processing apparatus for cutting or grinding a work by inserting a rotating cutter or grindstone, rotated by a spindle motor, into a work by a head drive unit and moving the cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising a controller for controlling a relative distance in a cutter or grindstone insertion direction between the cutter or grindstone and the work during the processing operation or an insertion depth of the cutter or grindstone into the work so that a load factor or electric current of the spindle motor is within a predetermined range.  
     
     
         3 . A processing apparatus for cutting or grinding a work by inserting a rotating cutter or grindstone, rotated by a spindle motor, into a work by a head drive unit and moving the cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising: 
 revolution speed setting means for setting a revolution speed of the cutter or grindstone;    insertion speed setting means for setting a constant insertion speed at which the cutter or grindstone rotating at a constant revolution speed is inserted into the work;    load factor setting means for setting a load factor of the spindle motor relative to a maximum cutter or grindstone rotation output or an insertion depth setting means for setting an insertion depth into the work; and    processing speed setting means for setting a constant processing speed at which the cutter or grindstone is moved in a processing direction to process the work.    
     
     
         4 . A processing apparatus for cutting or grinding a work by inserting a rotating cutter or grindstone, rotated by a spindle motor, into a work by a head drive unit and moving the cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising: 
 revolution speed setting means for setting a revolution speed of the cutter or grindstone;    insertion speed setting means for setting a constant insertion speed at which the cutter or grindstone rotating at a constant revolution speed is inserted into the work;    load factor setting means for setting a load factor of the spindle motor relative to the maximum cutter or grindstone rotation output or an insertion depth setting means for setting an insertion depth into the work;    processing speed setting means for setting a constant processing speed at which the cutter or grindstone is moved in a processing direction to process the work; and    a controller for controlling a relative distance in a cutter or grindstone insertion direction between the cutter or grindstone and the work during the processing operation or an insertion depth of the cutter or grindstone into the work so that a load factor or electric current of the spindle motor for rotating the cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range.    
     
     
         5 . A processing method for cutting or grinding a work by moving a rotating cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising the step of controlling a relative distance in a cutter or grindstone insertion direction between the cutter or grindstone and the work during the processing operation or an insertion depth of the cutter or grindstone into the work so that a load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range.  
     
     
         6 . A processing method of cutting or grinding a work by moving a rotating cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising the steps of: 
 inserting the cutter or grindstone rotating at a constant revolution speed into the work at a constant insertion speed; and    after a predetermined load factor of a spindle motor relative to a maximum cutter or grindstone rotation output or a predetermined insertion depth into the work is reached, moving the cutter or grindstone in a processing direction to process the work.    
     
     
         7 . A processing method of cutting or grinding a work by moving a rotating cutter or grindstone relative to the work, comprising the steps of: 
 inserting the cutter or grindstone rotating at a constant revolution speed into the work at a constant insertion speed;    after a predetermined load factor of a spindle motor relative to a maximum cutter or grindstone rotation output or a predetermined insertion depth into the work is reached, moving the cutter or grindstone in a processing direction to process the work; and    at the same time controlling a relative distance in a cutter or grindstone insertion direction between the cutter or grindstone and the work during the processing operation or an insertion depth of the cutter or grindstone into the work so that a load factor or electric current of the spindle motor for rotating the cutter or grindstone is within a predetermined range.