FSW Head for CNC machines 3, 4 or 5 axes
Our FSW head can weld from existing CNC machine tools, whether it is a 3, 4 or 5-axis machine. The Stirweld FSW head brings the FSW welding functions to the machining center: force control and recording, cooling, protection of the spindle against loads and vibrations.
The offer of this equipment highly reduces the investment cost of an FSW machine while offering the same performance as a special FSW machine.
Low investment cost
compared to FSW special machines or robotic stations
Adaptability
Despite the lack of standard machining centers, the StirWeld FSW head can be adapted to all CNCs.
Easy to install and to use
After the first installation, the user can assemble and disassemble the FSW head in few minutes from machining to welding and vice versa.
Would you like to optimize your machine fleet by transforming your milling machine into a hybrid machining-welding machine?
The FSW Stirweld head fits most of the CNC machines in the market.
The images below show some of the installations that Stirweld has carried out:
HAAS integrations
HAAS VF-7/40 (Fz = 25 000N)
Haas VF3 (Fz = 18 000N)
Haas VF4 (Fz = 18 000N)
DOOSAN integrations
Doosan DNM 750L (Fz = 13 000N)
Doosan DNM 6700 L (Fz = 18 500 N)
Large CNC machine integrations
Manford DL4112 (Fz = 10 000N)
FPT JOB 159 (Fz = 20 000 N)
Corea FP50 (Fz = 20 000N)
BMO CNC (Fz = 20 000N)
Integrations on other CNC machines
Hartford VMC-1300 (Fz = 8 000N)
Hermlé C3OU (Fz = 8 500N)
Mazak Nexus 510C (Fz = 7 000N)
Vernier CV800 (Fz = 9 000N)
RealMeca (Fz = 7 000N)
Twinhorn / VE-1500L3 (Fz = 8 000N)
Vision Wide (Fz = 12 000N)
FSW solutions
The Stirweld FSW head offers many advantages among which low investiment cost and high customer support. Here you can see a clear comparison with the other options on the market:
If you are interested in deepening this comparison, read our detailed article:
With the acquisition of the FSW head from Stirweld, Talendi (formerly Bretagne Ateliers) offers its customers a new high-performance welding solution that is technological, ecological and economical.
In 2021, Bretagne Ateliers has optimised its machine park by purchasing the FSW head from Stirweld. Installed on its machining centre, it enables it to offer quality, watertight, aesthetic and high mechanical resistance welds.
At the end of the year, a few weeks after its installation, the FSW head was activated for a first customer who had a quick need to make welds on some of its parts. FSW technology is the ideal solution for welds with very high quality requirements and Bretagne Ateliers is able to meet the deadline.
Barely a month later, thanks to the involvement and rigour of the teams and the collaboration between the customer and Bretagne Ateliers, the first newly welded parts were sent out.
Damien QUILLET
Sales Director
Thanks to Stirweld FSW Technology we can weld whatever application size we want on CNC machine. Friction Stir Welding gives a really good static outcome without any other operations needed. With this innovative FSW head for CNC machine , we can now diversify our operations at a very low cost and very efficiently.
John ERIAN
SBB – Production Manager
Technical sheet FSW Head
Compliant part : height of 300 mm
Interface : height from 60 to 110 mm depending on CNC machine
Weight : 30 Kg
Air pressure cooling : 3 bars
Water cooling :
5 l/min at 25°C
Head : console distance up to 10m (more in option)
FSW Stirweld Head features
-Fitting on 3, 4 or 5 axis CNC machine
-Plug or unplung in 15 mins
-No hard or soft change of CNC machine
-Force control to secure the weld quality from 1 to 18 kN
-Water and air pressure cooling
-From welding to machining without head disassembly
-Small size to accomodate welding jig
-Self-lubricating: no maintenance
-CNC machine protection against the high forces (up to 18 kN) and vibrations during the FSW process
-Quick tool change (attachment with accurate positioning)
By adding 4 functions to your CNC machine, it will be able to produce quality friction stir welded parts.
Control panel
-Recording of forging force for quality control
-Temperature monitoring for safe use
-Real time display process ajustment or process control
Continuous innovation
The Stirweld team puts a lot of effort in R&D and has recently achieved a newversion of Stirweld FSW head: codename « Cleansky ».
The main advantage of this new head is its retractable pin, which avoids leaving a hole at the end of the FSW welding process.
The project leading to this application has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 831833.
FSW Training
The training offered by StirWeld is both theoretical and practical.
Lasting 3 days on your site, the Stirweld training will give you the necessary skills for FSW welding operations.
Types of welding cases:
-lap welding
-butt welding
The training can be adapted according to the application that you wish to carry out.
Hotline Stirweld FSW
Do you live your first steps in the world of FSW? After the training on your site, our experts will guide you in your first FSW projects :
-Choice of FSW welding parameters according to your applications to guarantee perfect welding.
-Design of clamping tools to optimize your production rate.
Our technical hotline is available during 6 months following the installation of the FSW head for a start in complete serenity.
You may have some more questions…
How is the protection of your machine spindle ensured?
How will this affect your manufacturer’s warranty?
How is the protection of your operator ensured?
How are vibrations managed during the FSW process?
How is the installation of the FSW head carried out?
What are the minimum specifications of a CNC for FSW purpose?
Is there a risk of damaging my CNC machine?
Is the FSW head compatible with my machine?
FSW head can be installed on most CNC on the market
