The Boeing Company
Pin tool assemblies for friction stir welding and apparatus and methods including the same

Abstract:

Pin tool assemblies for friction stir welding and apparatus and methods that include the pin tool assemblies. The pin tool assemblies include an outer member, an inner member, and a stop. The outer member includes an inner surface that defines an elongate internal cavity and an external shoulder that includes an opening to the elongate internal cavity. The inner member includes a welding end, extends at least partially within the elongate internal cavity, and projects from the opening such that the welding end is external the elongate internal cavity. The pin tool assembly is configured to permit motion of the inner member relative to the outer member. The stop defines a plurality of stop configurations. Each of the stop configurations restricts motion of the inner member relative to the outer member in a stop direction to define a corresponding stop distance between the welding end and the external shoulder.