FSW spindle for robot
Our robotic FSW solution allows you to weld with any high payload robot. Our FSW spindle for robot brings the functions of Friction Stir Welding to a standard industrial robot. Your robot becomes a hybrid tool combining welding and machining with an automatic tool changer.
This hybrid welding and machining spindle for robot opens up a wide range of applications: 3D welding, welding of large parts, welding of panels longer than 10 metres.

FSW SPINDLE FOR ROBOT ADVANTAGES
NO HYDRAULIC POWER
Less expensive, no maintenance (electrical and pneumatic power)
AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER
Automatic management of FSW tool lifetime
No human operation
ADAPTABILITY
Compatible with all high payload robot and suitable for all robot integrators
WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
Welding of large parts, 3D welding, welding of panels longer than 10 metres
FSW EXPERTISE
Prototyping and qualification of parts at Stirweld and transfer production to the customer
HYBRID FSW SPINDLE
Welding and milling on one workstation thanks to an automatic tool changer

FSW SPINDLE FOR ROBOT ADVANTAGES

NO HYDRAULIC POWER
Less expensive, no maintenance (electrical and pneumatic power)
AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER
Automatic management of FSW tool lifetime
No human operation
ADAPTABILITY
Compatible with all high payload robot and suitable for all robot integrators
WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
Welding of large parts, 3D welding, welding of panels longer than 10 metres.
FSW EXPERTISE
Prototyping and qualification of parts at Stirweld and transfer production to the customer
HYBRID FSW SPINDLE
Welding and milling on one workstation thanks to an automatic tool changer
FSW SPINDLE FOR ROBOT CHARACTERISTICS

To know more about our FSW robot solution, please read our article about it!
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF STIRWELD FSW SPINDLE FOR ROBOT:
Rotational speed up to 10 000 RPM for high welding/milling speed
Automatic tool changer for FSW tool lifetime management and/or milling operations
Maximum payload of 18 kN
Full water cooling for high productivity
Full monitoring for 100% online quality control (according to EN 9100 standard)
Full electrical and pneumatic power (no hydraulic power)

FEATURES OF STIRWELD FSW PROCESS ON ROBOT WORKSTATION
The main function of the FSW spindle for robot is to manage the force applied by the FSW tool. A sensor is used to measure, control and record the force applied during the welding operation to ensure quality control.
The design of the robotic-based solution for FSW protects it from vibrations and forces as well as from heat generated during welding. Indeed, a cooling circuit is integrated to protect the spindle and the robot from the heat generated during welding.
The Stirweld FSW spindle for robot is therefore suitable for mass production and ensure the quality of the FSW process by providing a constant FSW tool temperature. Temperature sensors are integrated into the spindle to monitor the temperature and to prevent overheating.
QUALITY CONTROL
FORCE CONTROL
Force control according to tool axis (forging force or downward force)
COOLING SYSTEM
Integrated cooling circuit to protect the spindle during welding & to cool down the FSW tool
SPINDLE PROTECTION
Protection against the heavy loads and vibrations of the FSW process
AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER
Automatic quick tool change (welding/milling or FSW tool change)
FORCE RECORDING
Recording of the forging force and the temperature of the spindle
EN 9100 STANDARD
Full monitoring according to EN 9100 standard

CONTRÔLE QUALITÉ

FORCE CONTROL
Force control according to tool axis (forging force or downward force)
COOLING SYSTEM
Integrated cooling circuit to protect the spindle during welding & to cool down the FSW tool
SPINDLE PROTECTION
Protection against the heavy loads and vibrations of the FSW process
AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER
Automatic quick tool change (welding/milling or FSW tool change)
FORCE RECORDING
Recording of the forging force and the temperature of the spindle
EN 9100 STANDARD
Full monitoring according to EN 9100 standard
HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE
Stirweld FSW spindle for robot is a perfect example of the Industry 4.0 advent with its connected system:
HMI basic functions

…and other basic functions: spindle temperature, spindle cooling efficiency, spindle usage, warning pop-up.
HMI Advanced Functions
Stirweld FSW solution for robot offer you advanced functions for 100% quality control of your welding operations:
FSW weld temperature measurement
Real robot tilt angle
Friction Stir Welding vibrations
Power supply cabinet

The functionnalities are impressive and ahead of most available systems on the market. It is good to see that the spindle has all the sensors included to make it a smart system. Also it is nice to see the “true tilt” mesurement.
STIRWELD FSW PROTOTYPING
As an FSW expert, Stirweld supports you throughout the implementation of the FSW process, from the design of your part to the optimization of the industrial process, including the design and manufacturing of the clamping system, the definition of welding parameters and the manufacturing of your first batches.
FSW SPINDLE FOR ROBOT: A CONDENSED OF INNOVATION
This FSW spindle for robot is the result of a joint project between three players in Brittany’s Industry 4.0: Stirweld, the Maupertuis Institute and Doptim.

Stirweld, expert in friction stir welding, supplier of the FSW spindle for robot.

Maupertuis Institute, a resource centre for innovative industrial technologies, beta-tester of the welding spindle.

Doptim, expert in data science, has developed the process intelligence to enable on-line control and quality control of FSW welding.

THE HISTORY OF STIRWELD FSW SPINDLE FOR ROBOT
Friction stir welding has been identified by FIM, the Federation of Mechanical Engineering Industries, as the technology of the future. Why? This technology removes the difficulty of aluminium welding, a material whose use is constantly increasing (+6% on average per year).
Two pieces of equipment have already entered into the FSW market – an industrial robot and a special machine – but with a significant investment cost. The FSW head for CNC machine developed by Stirweld then allowed to drastically reduce the investment cost for the same functions.
Finally, in 2021, Stirweld, Institut Maupertuis and Doptim have developed an smart FSW spindle for robots offering awaited functionalities: multi-process spindle (FSW, machining, finishing and Non-Destructive-Test – NDT), intelligent industry 4.0 spindles (automatic tool change), compact spindle and high accessibility, smart data.
Want to know more about our FSW spindle for robot?
Meet our FSW experts!