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Steel-Aluminum Stir Weld System Cuts Power Demand 50%
Honda Motor Co. says its new friction stir welding system enables it to reduce the weight of front subframe by 25%.
The company is using the technology to continuously weld aluminum and steel subframes for its redesigned 2013 Accord cars.
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Honda Motor Co. says its new friction stir welding system enables it to reduce the weight of front subframe by 25%.
The company is using the technology to continuously weld aluminum and steel subframes for its redesigned 2013 Accord cars. The system cut electricity consumption during the welding process by 50% and permits a redesign of the subframe that boosted the rigidity of front suspension mounting points 20%, according to Honda.
The stir welding system applies a rotating tool under pressure to aluminum that is lapped over steel. The technique melts the aluminum and produces a metallic bond with steel that Honda says is at least as strong as a MIG weld.
Friction stir welding typically requires bulky equipment, but Honda developed a more compact system that can be fitted to an industrial robot. The company notes that its welding technique also can be used to bond aluminum to aluminum with no change in the system's specifications.
Honda is using a nondestructive inspection system it developed that pairs an infrared camera and laser beam to check each weld during the manufacturing process.
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