Design and Commissioning of a Friction Welding Machine

An experimental lightweight linear friction welding machine was designed and commissioned. The machine was designed to explore higher frequencies of oscillation (up to 1 kHz) than those commercially available, for a number of different amplitudes of oscillation. During the commissioning stage problems related to rig stiffening were recognized and the operating envelope of the machine was identified. Important friction welding process parameters like stress and temperature are monitored to evaluate process development and weld integrity.