Sespel friction stir welding machine for tubes
Designed and manufactured by Cheboksary Enterprise Sespel CJSC, the system mills edges and friction stir welds aluminium panels used in aluminium railway carriage bodies. It delivers precise, high-quality welds, which are essential for reliable, durable structures.
The equipment produces longitudinal butt welds in aluminium tube blanks with wall thicknesses of 7 and 8 mm, lengths from 1,000 to 4,000 mm and a diameter of 470 mm. Friction stir welding produces strong, high-quality joints without defects or internal stresses.
The elongated machine has a rigid welded bed with mounting surfaces for the welding unit, backing support and tube clamping system. The welding unit includes a longitudinal slide, a carriage that presses the tool against the workpiece and a spindle assembly.
The tube clamping system comprises a welded frame, movable stops, clamping fingers and a frame travel drive. It centres and precisely positions the mating edges to produce welds meeting the specified quality requirements.
Ball supports prevent damage to the tube’s outer surface during loading and clamping. The backing frame is rigidly fixed to the bed at one end and has a hinged lock at the other. The stainless steel backing support has a cylindrical surface, providing durability and process stability.
The system includes:- Machine bed
- Stationary backing support with lock
- Tube clamping system
- Clamping system travel drive
- Welding unit
The machine increases productivity, reduces setup time and improves weld quality, making it an essential tool for manufacturing aluminium railway structures.
