US 12,083,618 B2
Systems and methods for load control in friction stir processing
Rodney Dale Fleck, Provo, UT (US); and Russell J. Steel, Provo, UT (US)
Assigned to Mazak Corporation, Florence, KY (US)
Filed by Mazak Corporation, Florence, KY (US)
Filed on Oct. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/972,152.
Prior Publication US 2024/0131614 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0227062 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B23K 20/00 (2006.01); B23K 20/12 (2006.01); B23K 103/10 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 20/1245 (2013.01) [B23K 20/123 (2013.01); B23K 2103/10 (2018.08)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for friction stirring a workpiece material, the device comprising:
a body;
a spindle configured to rotate around a rotational axis relative to the body;
a driver rotationally coupled to the spindle; and
a biasing element supporting the driver and configured to apply a biasing force in an axial direction between the body and the driver, wherein the biasing element axially overlaps at least a portion of the spindle and is rotatable relative to the spindle.