Page 52 - MetalForming Magazine October 2022 - FABTECH

Fabrication: Hybrid Multitasking
Hybrid Milling/Welding
An optimal solution for battery-tray manufacturing would be a hybrid process that combines the FSW process for assembling the cover to the milled battery tray. In such a case (the Mazak MegaStir process, for example), an intelligent tool holder mounts in the spindle of a vertical machining center that performs normal tool changes between a milling cutter (or other cut- ting tool) and an FSW tool holder. Fully closed-loop FSW software allows for real-time process monitoring, manual thrust-offset capabilities, process log- ging and part-program design, all at the machine control. An operator then can manage the three main FSW process steps—plunging, traversing and extracting.
The combination of FSW and sub- tractive machining creates a highly productive, lean, and hybrid multitask- ing platform, able to machine and assemble components in one setup
with one operator. The FSW/subtrac- tive machining hybrid operation facil- itates prototyping and full production operations. Prototype shops can create a design, machine and weld the assem- bly, as well as finish-machine it all on the same piece of equipment with min- imal setups.
The hybrid platform also enables commercialized high-rate production. If a product is designed to exploit the advantages of the hybrid manufactur- ing process, manufacturing speed increases by multiples. A part that the- oretically might take 30 hr. to machine can be built in 1 hr. with hybrid multi- task manufacturing.
The size of products that can be processed with hybrid multitasking is limited only by the size of the machine tool. “Most battery-tray applications use sheet metal in the range of 1⁄16 to 1⁄8 in. thick,” says Mazak general man- ager Dale Fleck. “The worktable of Mazak’s VTC 800 machine, for example,
is long enough to handle an entire axle- to-axle battery cooling tray for an EV.”
Beyond Battery Trays
The advantages of the hybrid mul- titasking system in EV manufacturing extend beyond battery trays. Housings for electronic components such as con- trol modules and transmissions can leverage the benefits of combining FSW with subtractive machining and pro- vide a competitive advantage in the high-demand EV market.
Further, many other industry seg- ments, including aerospace and med- ical products, and even household appliances, seek compact design and weight saving to increase efficiency and economy. As manufacturers become aware of the benefits of the hybrid process system and learn how to apply it, the range of applications will continue to grow. MF
Article provided by Mazak Corp.; www.mazakusa.com.
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