Friction welding

Friction welding is used to join materials of the same type as well as different materials such as aluminum and ceramic or aluminum and steel. The one and only condition: one of the two parts to be joined must be rotationally symmetrical.

Friction welding is subdivided into four stages:

1. Frictional contact phase: One of the workpieces is rotated. Simultaneously, the other component is pressed against it with a defined level of pressure.
2. Friction phase: The contact surfaces heat up due to the relative motion (rotation) and the simultaneous pressure.
3. Forge phase: The rotation stops and the pressure is increased once again. This enables the plasticized material to be joined to the other component.
4. Holding phase: Both materials remain under pressure and can then cool down slowly.

Depending on your requirements, we can link several friction welding machines or load and unload them automatically thanks to our flexible robot-based systems.

We adapt the friction welding process, the parameters and the fixtures to the respective component. Select the most suitable machine: the KUKA product range comprises numerous machines with varying contact pressures from two up to 1,000 tonnes.

If you have a broad spectrum of products, we recommend the KUKA Genius. The modular and compact KUKA friction welding machine is flexible, powerful and can be quickly integrated into your production operations on site.

You don’t want to acquire your own friction welding machine? No problem, have your welding carried out by the automation professionals on their own premises. We have been carrying out subcontract welding work, developing components and producing prototypes for renowned companies since 1970.

Friction welding technology has a number of advantages to offer. Benefit from these characteristics in particular:

• A diverse range of material combinations
• High reproducibility
• Strong joints
• High degree of automation