FSW clamping jig
Clamping system has a huge impact on your weld quality and production rate, so we offer you our know-how for jig design.
Each clamping jig is unique, and requires a high expertise that we are able to provide.
How to clamp your parts during a FSW process?
We first design and manufacture a backing (anvil) that is placed under the part during FSW to support FSW vertical load.
Then we design and manufacture the clamping system to hold the part during welding, providing a 3-axis blocking: a good clamping system permits to avoid part opening, dragging and lifting, which is essential for a good weld quality.
Interested in finding out how it works in detail?
Read our article on Clamping System
There is a risk that the parts can break or collapse if the forging force is not well handled. The backing of the clamping jig must resist the heat generated by the welding. The right choice of the backing material is key.
The mechanical stops are designed in order to avoid the parts to slip and/or diverge during the Friction Stir Welding process. Moreover, specifics clamps also are put in place to deal with the eventual lifting of the parts.
Example of welding jig (12-mm AA6061 welding)
Example of clamping system on a special FSW machine designed for large thicknesses
A clamping system designed to conceive a 12 mm thick, 3 metre long workpiece by FSW. Three parts are clamped on the clamping jig, which is clamped to the machine table, then two welds are carried out.
The two main elements of the clamping system are:
Welded mechanical bridges
They allow the part to be pressed against the anvil and the jig during welding.
We have a bridge on each side to press on the part at the level of the 2 welds to be made.
Mechanical stops
These hold the parts on the sides to prevent them from moving in the x- and y-axis and avoid gaps between the parts during friction stir welding.
There are two clamping system types :
Manual
Small batches and prototypes
Automatic
Large series
Automatic jig
Interested in learning more about clamping jigs?
Follow our webinar on clamping jig design
