Patent ID: 8047417

Claim:
A friction stir weld apparatus comprising: a linear guide mechanism; a linear drive actuator having a housing fixed relative to said guide mechanism and comprising: a hollow core motor mounted within the housing and having a rearward end, a forward end, and an axis of rotation; a lead screw extending through the motor and which is rotatable, but axially fixed relative the housing, wherein the lead screw is directly connected to the hollow core motor; a nut operably connected to the lead screw and which is rotationally fixed, but axially moveable relative the lead screw; and an elongated, hollow thrust member, operably connected to the nut, and extending through the motor, the thrust member being moveable linearly along the axis of rotation from a rearward position substantially within the housing to a forward position substantially outside of the housing; and a friction stir weld device operatively connected to said guide mechanism and directly connected to said thrust member for linear movement relative to said actuator along said axis of rotation, wherein the hollow core motor alone: axially positions the friction stir weld device relative to a work surface; and supplies axial forging force to the friction stir weld device.