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What is Friction Stir Welding?
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Customer Market
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Friction Stir Welding is finding common place in welding aluminum and non-ferrous alloys
as aluminum castings as car companies expand electric car production.
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Low heat removes complexities from aluminum welding.

Most friction stir process do not require consumables i.e. filler wire.

Does not require welder certifications.
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No hazardous gases or fumes.
Being relatively new, discover in the early 1990’s, it is a relatively new process:
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Tools are not produced for the consumer market.
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Limited number of tool makers.
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Many research institutes have their own tools made because tool companies are
“expensive.”
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Industrial Companies use purpose built welding machines.
Customer Market
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Competitors:
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Bond Technologies
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Mazak MegaStir
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StirWeld
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DuraStir
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Furuya Metals
Mazak MegaStir
Bond Technologies
Furuya Metals
DuraStir
Consumer Market
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Consumer Market
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Product Idea
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OR
Product Specification

Able to weld aluminum alloys.
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Tool holder can be mounted in Manual and CNC Milling Machines.

Tool does not require external services to apply welding force; air,
hydraulics, electronics.
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Welding process simple is intuitive for a reasonable person.
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Tool price is competitive with general cutting tools.
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Tool probe and shoulder can be readily changed.
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Tool holder can be automatically changed in CNC machines.
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Tool probe and shoulder has multiple sizes.
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Conceptual/Detail Design
R8 (machine force)
R8 (tool force)
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CAT40 (tool force)
Prototype
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Prototype
Xometry EU
Xometry USA
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