Patent ID: 8191753
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon, a computer program having a plurality of code sections for carrying out a friction stir method for processing at least one workpiece using a system comprising a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the at least one workpiece, the code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the steps of: oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the one workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member; obtaining one or more force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at first and second extremes of the oscillation of the rotary tool; comparing the force signals or parameters associated with the first extreme and the force signals or parameters associated with second extreme to stored lateral position correlation data to determine a lateral position of the selected propagation path with respect to a target path for the at least one workpiece; and determining a lateral offset value based on the lateral position and decreasing a lateral distance between the selected propagation path and the target path based on the lateral offset value.