Friction Stir Welding as a Joining Process through Modified Conventional Milling Machine: A Review

Through this paper an attempt is made to review some techniques for modifying vertical milling machine to achieve special welding technology of friction stir welding (FSW) which is a solid-state joining process. As this process of joining is achieving success daily at the level of research but its excess to workshops having lesser capital is limited because of costlier machines. This problem inspired to review techniques so that FSW can be achieved in workshops with little modifications in the conventional machine like vertical milling. Modification of tool design and redesign of clamping system are discussed so that conventional milling machine can be used for friction stir welding. The major applications of FSW in the field of aerospace, shipbuilding and automotive are also reported.