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 friction stir welding apparatus for joining members of a work by inserting a rotating tool into the work and moving the rotating tool relative to the work, comprising a controller for controlling a relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work or an insertion depth of the tool into the work so that a load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the tool is within a predetermined range.  
     
     
         2 . A friction stir welding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a laser displacement meter or a contact type displacement meter for detecting the relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work during the joining operation or the insertion depth of the tool into the work, the detected values being reflected on the controller.  
     
     
         3 . A friction stir welding apparatus for joining members of a work by inserting a rotating tool, rotated by a spindle motor, into the work and moving the rotating tool relative to the work, comprising a controller for controlling a relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work or an insertion depth of the tool into the work so that a load factor or electric current of the spindle motor is within a predetermined range.  
     
     
         4 . A friction stir welding apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a laser displacement meter or a contact type displacement meter for detecting the relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work during the joining operation or the insertion depth of the tool into the work, the detected values being reflected on the controller.  
     
     
         5 . A friction stir welding method of joining members of a work by inserting a rotating tool into the work and moving the rotating tool relative to the work, comprising the step of controlling a relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work during the joining operation or an insertion depth of the tool into the work so that a load factor or electric current of a spindle motor for rotating the tool is within a predetermined range.  
     
     
         6 . A friction stir welding method according to  claim 5 , wherein the relative distance in a tool insertion direction between the tool and the work during the joining operation or the insertion depth of the tool into the work is detected by a laser displacement meter or a contact type displacement meter, and the detected values are reflected on the controller.