FIELD OF INVENTION :
This invention generally relates to friction stir welding procedure. More
particularly, the invention relates to an improved holding device for joining
components to form a Tee weld configuration in a friction stir welding process.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION :
Friction stir welding procedure constitutes a solid state welding, which offers
several advantages in particular, higher mechanical properties, no distortion, and
elimination of filler wire for welding. However, to achieve these results the
components to be joined are required to be held firmly and together to avoid any
separation during the process of welding. The holding device therefore needs to
be adequately robust, easy to assemble and dismantle and effective for the
intended function. The known devices for butt and lap joints are relatively
simple, when compared to the holding devices required for corner, fillet and Tee
joints, which are further complicated due to additional requirements for the weld
and its configuration.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION :
It is therefore, an object of this invention to propose an improved holding device
for joining components to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir
welding process, which eliminates the disadvantages of prior art.

Another object of the invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding
process, which is enabled to firmly hold one or more components relative to each
other maintaining a predetermined spacing in-between the web(s).
A still another object of the invention is to propose an improved holding device
for joining components to form a Tee weld configuration in a friction stir welding
process, which is configured to position one or more joints in respect of the
flange for welding in a single setting.
Yet another object of this invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding
process, which allows a faster assembly of the components before welding
including a quick release and removal of the welded assembly.
A further object of this invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration in a friction stir welding
process, which eliminates a leakage of the plasticized material from the joint.
A still further object of the invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration in a friction stir welding
process, which disallows the components of the assembly to move away from an
initial setting on the device during welding.
Yet further object of the invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding
process, which is capable to position the flange relative to the webs.

Another object of the invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding
process, which is enabled to withstand the forces applied on the weldable
components during the welding process.
Another object of the invention is to propose an improved holding device for
joining components to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding
process, which allows a range of component sizes to be welded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION :
Accordingly, there is provided an improved holding device for joining components
to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding process, the device
comprising a base plate attached to a vertical plate, the base plate being rigidly
fixed to a table of the friction stir welding machine; a pair of support plates
holding the web plates vertically in cooperation with the vertical plate; a pair of
end bars having locating pins for positioning the flange plate, the flange being
clamped on top of the web plates adapting a pair of locking plates including
corresponding number of adjustable bolts; the vertical plate, the support plates,
and the web plates held together by at least a pair of clamping bolt, the end
faces of the web plates including the support plates being rigidly attached by a
plurality of bolts . The universal type of holding device of the invention enables
assembly and welding of Tee joints, and the device can be adapted both for
correct positioning of the components into an assembly and holding them firmly
in position during the welding. The holding device can accommodate one or
more webs and the flanges in to a single assembly including single or split
flanges. The device eliminates leakage of the plasticized material formed during
welding from a joint on the web side of the assembly.

The holding device can accommodate various sizes of flanges and webs to be
assembled for welding, and permits easy and quick aligning of the flange with
respect to the web plates. The device can accommodate flange plates of various
shapes, and permits the variation of spacing between the web plates, which
allows a continuous welding of all the webs. The holding device further permits
quicker assembly and dismantling of the weldable components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING :
Figure 1 shows schematically a typical joint to be welded.
Figure 2 shows schematically an improved holding device for friction stir welding
of the components shown in Figure 1, according to the invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION :
Figure 1 shows an assembly comprising a flange (1) and a web (2) made of
metal that are to be joined by a weld (3). The assembly may comprise one or
more webs and hence one or more welds for joining the webs to the flange. For
welding of the components, a holding device to position and firmly hold the
components as an assembly for welding is provided.
The holding device as shown schematically in Figure 2, comprises a base plate
(3) attached to a vertical plate (4) by welding or bolting. The base plate (3) is
firmly clamped on the welding machine table (5). The plates (2) to be welded
are positioned vertically and assembled between a pair of support plates (6) and

the vertical plate (4). The support plates (6) where necessary are separated by
spacer blocks (7). End faces of the plates (2) to be welded and the support
plates (6) are firmly held by a corresponding number of abutting end bars (8) on
either ends by a plurality of bolts (9). Locating pins (10) provided on the end
bars (8) to enable the correct positioning of the flange (1) or top of the web
plate (2). The flange (1) is clamped in position on top of the web plates (2) using
a pair of locking plates (11) including adjustable bolts (12, 13). The web plates
(2) rest on the base plate (3) or on a support block (14) when required. The
vertical plate (4) the web plates (2) and the support plates (6) are held together
firmly by a plurality of clamping bolts (15).

WE CLAIM :
1. An improved holding device for joining components to form a Tee weld
configuration using a friction stir welding process, the device comprising :
a base plate (3) attached to a vertical plate (4), the vertical plate (4)
being rigidly fixed to a table (5) of the friction stir welding machine;
a pair of support plates (6) holding the weldable plates (2) vertically in
cooperation with the vertical plate (4);
a pair of end bars (8) having locating pins (10) for the positioning of
the flange (1) on the weldable plates (2), the flange (1) being clamped
on top of the plates (2) adapting a pair of locking plates (11) including
corresponding number of adjustable bolts (12,13);
the vertical plate (4), the support plates (6), and the web plates (2)
held together by at least one clamping bolt (15), the end faces of the
web plates (2) including the support plates (6) being rigidly attached
by a plurality of bolts (9).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate (3) and the
vertical plate (4) are releasably and firmly attached.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support plates (6) are
separable by at least one spacer block (7) and will permit the variation of
the spacing between the web plates.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, is used for both positioning the
components correctly into an assembly as well as holding them firmly in
position for welding.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, can accommodate one or more webs
and the flanges in a single assembly.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, can accommodate various sizes of the
flange and web to be assembled for welding
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, will permit continuous welding of all the
webs with suitable technique and tooling.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, permits quick assembly and dismantling
of the components.

9. An improved holding device for joining components to form a Tee
weld configuration in a friction stir welding process as substantially
described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings.

The invention relates to an improved holding device for joining components
to form a Tee weld configuration using friction stir welding process. The
device comprising a base plate (3) attached to a vertical plate (4), the vertical
plate (4) being rigidly fixed to a table (5) of the friction stir welding machine;
a pair of support plates (6) holding the weldable plates (2) vertically in
cooperation with the vertical plate (4); a pair of end bars (8) having locating
pins (10) for positioning of the flange (1) of the weldable plates (2), the
flange (1) being clamped on top of the plates (2) adapting a pair of locking
plates (11) including corresponding number of adjustable bolts (12, 13); the
vertical plate (4), the support plates (6), and the web plates (2) held together
by at least one clamping bolt (15), the end faces of the web plates (2)
including the support plates (6) being rigidly attached by a plurality of bolts
(9).