The company's range of Powerstir machines combine frictional heat with precisely controlled forging pressure to produce extremely high-strength joints that are virtually defect free. Friction Stir Welding transforms the parent metal from a solid to a plasticised state.
In R&D tests, the company has performed longitudinal welding and rotary (C-axis) welding of flat plates and cylinder seam welding of 2 mm – 35 mm thick aluminium alloys using several tooling technologies.
In recent years, PTG has supplied Powerstir machines for the avionics and high-speed rail sectors. For example, in a joint venture with technology partner the China Friction Stir Welding Center (CFSWC), the company developed a Powerstir model with a 30 m by 4 m gantry to produce the longest single FSW railway panel welds in China, at more than 15 m long.
