Friction stir welding with Fanuc

The robot was created in a joint development project with Fanuc and makes it possible to combine materials such as aluminium, aluminium alloys, copper, titanium and steel, which are normally difficult to weld together. What's more, no additional material is required. The materials are joined together by pressure and friction alone. This closed connection is so superior to the base materials that bending the weld seam by even 90° is no problem.

Company: FPT INDUSTRIE SPAContact person: Sig. Sebastiano CarlessoCountry: Italy

On the one hand, a visually appealing product was to be created where no loops in the chain were to spoil the picture. 
On the other hand, maximum precision and stability were required on and around the robot. At the same time, the robot should not be restricted in the range of movement given by Fanuc.

• Visually appealing (no loops on the e-chain®)
• No restriction of the robot's movement

To achieve the desired smooth running, a retraction system TR.RS.60.RC.B (R = fixed end right C = cover, B = B version of the TRE chain) was selected with the high tensile force and easy-to-fill undefined. The radius stability of the TRE.B version is even 4x higher compared to the TRC (closed version). 
The rotary movement of axis 2 has been replaced by a twisterchain®.