Patent ID: 8875980
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A friction stir welding apparatus comprising: a welding apparatus main body comprising a framework having a length larger than that of a welding line along which workpieces are welded, a pair of workpiece fixing surface plates installed to form a gap extending along the welding line between the workpieces on an upper surface of the framework, a friction stir welding tool disposed through the gap and protruding upward from the gap, a spindle configured to attach the friction stir welding tool to an upper end section thereof, and a spindle rotary driving apparatus configured to pivot the spindle; a linear guide mechanism configured to movably support the welding apparatus main body along the gap; and a moving apparatus configured to move the welding apparatus main body along the gap, wherein the linear guide mechanism comprises a roller circulation linear guide block installed at the welding apparatus main body, and a linear guide rail installed at the framework to correspond to the linear guide block and extending along the gap, grooves are formed in an upper surface and a lower surface of the linear guide rail, and projections are formed in an upper surface and a lower surface of the linear guide block, each projection corresponding to a respective groove in the linear guide rail and fitting into the respective groove in the linear guide rail.