Patent ID: 8469256

Claim:
A method for modifying control parameters of a friction stir welding machine being used with high melting temperature materials and being operated by a control program, and comprising the steps of: 1) selecting a control parameter ramp profile that enables a tool temperature to reach a tool temperature set point without overshooting it; 2) determining a temperature of a friction stir welding tool being used on high melting temperature workpiece materials selected from the group of high melting temperature materials comprised of metal matrix composites, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous materials, superalloys and titanium; 3) comparing the tool temperature to the tool temperature set point; 4) modifying a current control parameter according to the control parameter ramp profile if the tool temperature is not the same as the tool temperature set point, or returning to step 1) if the tool temperature is the same; and 5) determining if a minimum or maximum boundary value of the current control parameter has been reached, and either returning to step 2) if the minimum or maximum boundary value of the current control parameter has not been reached or proceeding to a next control parameter if the current control parameter has reached the maximum or the minimum boundary value.