FANUC-Controlled Friction Stir Welding Machine Helps Advance US Manufacturing
CTC expanded friction stir welding capabilities using a FANUC-powered CNC machine that welds thick steel in one pass with real-time control.
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Challenges
Required a specific application for relatively new friction stir welding technology
Servo system needed to apply a tremendous amount of force
Gantry-style milling machine needed for extremely large parts
Results
Manufacturing reshoring efforts assisted by having a North American supplier and partner
Highly customizable controls with features and functions that meets the end user’s needs
Strong FANUC servo motors supply the force needed to make only one weld
Story
Applied scientific research and development firm Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) creates advanced manufacturing solutions to help bolster American manufacturing. One project required a friction stir welding machine that could accommodate very large parts, upwards of 30ft or more. The company turned to Quickmill, an OEM of high-quality machining centers used in heavy-equipment applications. Quickmill built a gantry-style CNC milling machine tool using FANUC’s 0i-MF Plus CNC as well as FANUC’s powerful servo motors that could weld two very thick steel plates together in one pass. CTC also wanted to be able to adjust the height of the cutting tool on the fly during the process and be able to capture all the machine’s data produced, which was accomplished due to the open architecture of the FANUC CNC. The result has allowed CTC to apply friction stir welding to more product lines and help introduce the technology into the US industrial base.
We've been using FANUC products on the bulk of our machinery, and we've had great success with it. So, when this project came forward with what we needed and what CTC needed, we knew FANUC was the right choice of controls.
Mark Williams Regional Sales Manager – QuickmillFANUC Products Used
0i-MF Plus
FANUC 0i-MF Plus CNC delivers efficient, high-quality milling with reduced cycle times, smooth surface finishes, customizable functions, and flexible HMI.
Quickmill Inc.
Established in 1984, our founders saw a future in computer-controlled machining. With a passion for innovation and determination to develop products that perform and impress, we soon found ourselves installing projects around the globe. As a worldwide supplier of high-quality machining centers, we have been part of major infrastructure, power generation, and heavy-equipment projects on almost every continent. We have built a reputation on supplying solutions, not just machines. We engage with our customer’s manufacturing challenges and develop full turnkey solutions that can be producing quality parts before we pack up our tools.
Concurrent Technologies Corporation
Concurrent Technologies Corporation is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization. CTC collaborates with its technology transition affiliate, Enterprise Ventures Corporation, to provide transformative, full lifecycle solutions through research, development, test, and evaluation work. To best serve our clients’ needs, we offer the complete ability to fully design, develop, test, prototype, and build. We deliver robust, technical, and innovative solutions that safeguard our national security, retain U.S. technological advantage, and ensure the primacy of American manufacturing.