Development of innovative airframe structures with Stationary Shoulder Corner Friction Stir Welding and Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding techniques

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining method that is a promising technology that can replace rivets and fasteners.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has developed FSW techniques and process specifications, and applied these to representative parts in various industrial fields. Furthermore, these efforts have led to the acquisition of advanced FSW technologies such as Stationary Shoulder Corner (SSC) FSW and Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding (RFSSW) contributing to manufacturing cost and weight savings of aircraft structure. The SSC FSW system equips dual FSW heads which enables to weld both sides of corner at once. KHI has also evolved an RFSSW system to coordinate two high rigidity robots which face each other for joining large parts.

The presentation will show an overview of the latest collaborative R&D project with Boeing development of the high performable (light weight, extending maintenance interval) and cost effective demonstration article with the above innovative FSW techniques.