Patent ID: 7624907

Claim:
A method for dual axis forging linear friction welding, the method comprising: providing a linear friction welding apparatus comprising a welding head apparatus including three sets of orthogonal actuators for providing X-, Y-, and Z-planes of welding head apparatus movement for providing Y-axis oscillation, a first forge load along a Z-axis forge axis, and a second forge load along an X-axis forge axis; providing a base plate; providing a part to be welded to the base plate at a first weld interface and a second part at a second weld interface; applying the first forge load at an angle relative to the first weld interface and the second forge load at an angle relative to the second weld interface, the first and second forge loads having predetermined magnitudes; oscillating the part along the Y-axis at a predetermined oscillation amplitude to heat the part and the base plate; reducing the oscillation amplitude to zero; increasing the first and second forge loads to predetermined set-points and maintaining for a predetermined period of time; reducing the first and second forge loads to zero; wherein the welding head apparatus comprises: an oscillation block having opposing lateral sides; at least one Y-axis oscillation actuator supported on at least one of the opposing lateral sides of the oscillation block; at least one Z-axis forge actuator supported by the oscillation block for providing the first forge load; at least one X-axis forge actuator supported by the oscillation block for providing the second forge load; at least one X-axis counter-load actuator supported by the oscillation block for countering the second forge load; and at least one Z-axis counter-load floating cylinder supported by the oscillation block for countering the first forge load.