Nova-tech Engineering, Inc.

Donald J Holman

James A Whitehouse

A friction stir welding tool includes a friction stir welding head having a probe and spindle rotatably mounted at a first end. A support supports the stir welding head between the first end and a second end for movement about a pitch axis. A pitch actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the stir welding head at a point longitudinally spaced from pitch axis to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A turntable supports the stir welding head for movement about a yaw axis. A yaw actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the turntable laterally spaced from the yaw axis, to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A controller maintains an angle of attack of the probe with respect to direction of travel of the probe along the work piece.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Donald J Holman