Friction welder

Claim 2

A friction welding machine comprising: a main frame; guide means extending longitudinally of the frame; a single center drive means mounted on the guide means centrally of the machine frame; said center drive means comprising a motor having a rotor; a workpiece holding spindle rigidly connected to the rotor and projecting outwardly from each side of the rotor; spindle chuck means rigidly mounted on the spindle for holding a spindle workpiece for rotation with said rotor during engagement of the spindle workpiece with tailstock workpieces at the ends of the spindle; a pair of tailstock assemblies mounted for sliding movement on the guide means on either side of the center drive means, each tailstock having tailstock chuck means for holding a tailstock workpiece against rotation; loading means connected to each of the tailstock assemblies for moving the tailstock assemblies inwardly toward the motor to press the two tailstock workpieces against the spindle workpiece; and wherein the rigid connection between the rotor and spindle chuck means utilizes all of the kinetic energy of the decelerated motor rotor as the two welds are produced with the tailstock workpieces at the ends of the spindle.

Claim 3

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the center drive means is fixedly secured to the guide means to prevent movement thereof.

Claim 4

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the center drive means is slidably mounted on the guide means for free-floating movement thereon.

Claim 5

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises at least two tie bars extending longitudinally of the machine frame.

Claim 6

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotor comprises an electrical motor.

Claim 7

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said rotor comprises an electrical induction motor.

Claim 8

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotor comprises a hollow shaft.

Claim 9

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said center drive rotor is provided with a workpiece holding chuck on each end thereof; said machine further comprising, ram means for axially moving each tailstock on the guide means towards the center drive means; and means for simultaneously actuating the rams to move the workpieces held by each tailstock into engagement with the workpieces held at each end of the center drive motor, whereby axial thrust loads exerted by the rams produce a balanced condition at the center drive means.

Claim 10

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprise at least two tie bars extending longitudinally of the machine frame and said motor comprises an electrical Motor.

Claim 11

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rotor comprises a hollow shaft.

Claim 12

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein said rotor comprises a hollow shaft.

Claim 13

A friction welding machine comprising a main frame; guide means extending longitudinally of the frame; a drive means for rotating a first workpiece relative to a second workpiece, said drive means being centrally mounted for free floating movement longitudinally on the guide means; said drive means including a motor, a rotor in the motor, a spindle rigidly connected to the rotor, spindle chuck means for holding said first workpiece for rotation with the spindle and rotor, and bearing means for permitting rotation of the rotor and spindle within the motor housing; a tailstock assembly mounted for sliding movement on the guide means on a first side of the drive means and having means for holding a second workpiece; loading means for axially moving said tailstock assembly along the guide means to engage said first and second workpieces, and a separate thrust bearing means, located externally of the drive means on a second side of said center drive means, for absorbing axial thrust forces transmitted through said free-floating drive means during engagement of said first workpiece with said second workpiece; whereby the maximum axial forces to which the spindle bearing means are subjected during a weld cycle are of a very low magnitude.

Claim 14

A friction welding machine comprising a main frame; guide means extending longitudinally of the frame; a drive means for rotating a first workpiece relative to a second workpiece, said drive means being centrally mounted for free floating movement longitudinally on the guide means; said drive means including a motor, a rotor in the motor, a spindle rigidly connected to the rotor, spindle chuck means for holding said first workpiece for rotation with the spindle and rotor, and bearing means for permitting rotation of the rotor and spindle within the motor housing; a tailstock assembly mounted for sliding movement on the guide means on a first side of the drive means and having means for holding a second workpiece; loading means for axially moving said tailstock assembly along the guide means to engage said first and second workpieces, and a separate thrust bearing means, located externally of the drive means on a second side of said center drive means, for absorbing axial thrust forces transmitted through said free-floating drive means during engagement of said first workpiece with said second workpiece; whereby the maximum axial forces to which the spindle bearing means are subjected during a weld cycle are of a very low magnitude.

Claim 15

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said thrust bearing means comprises a hydrostatic bearing assembly.

Claim 16

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said guide means comprises at least two tie bars extending longitudinally of the frame.

Claim 17

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said motor comprises an electrical induction motor.

Claim 18

A friction welding machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said rotor shaft is hollow.