A method of producing an endless metal ring by butting and welding ends of a steel plate includes a welding process in which, while the ends of the steel plate are heated at a temperature lower than a melting temperature, the ends are pressed against each other and welded by butt welding; and a heat treatment process in which heating is performed at an austenite transformation temperature or lower after the welding process.

An ironing plate is attached to a friction stir welding apparatus in such a manner that the ironing plate surrounds an outer peripheral portion of a rotating tool and does not rotate together with the rotating tool, an inside diameter of a portion of the ironing plate into which the rotating tool is inserted is larger than the diameter of the rotating tool, and a material inflow path through which an excessive material of two metallic plates flows in is formed between the ironing plate and the rotating tool when the ironing plate is disposed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the rotating tool.

An ironing plate is attached to a friction stir welding apparatus in such a manner that the ironing plate surrounds an outer peripheral portion of a rotating tool and does not rotate together with the rotating tool, an inside diameter of a portion of the ironing plate into which the rotating tool is inserted is larger than the diameter of the rotating tool, and a material inflow path through which an excessive material of two metallic plates flows in is formed between the ironing plate and the rotating tool when the ironing plate is disposed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the rotating tool.

A Mobile Electric Flash-Butt (EFB) Welding apparatus that incorporates an automated geometry system which creates field/mobile EFB welds with proper vertical alignment, within a definable distance. The system has a first pair of adjustable reference points on a left side of a mobile welding apparatus. The system has a second pair of adjustable reference points on the right side of the welding apparatus. The system has a first lifting mechanism positioned between the first pair of adjustable reference points and a second lifting mechanism positioned between the second pair of adjustable reference points. The welding line is positioned between the first and second pair of adjustable reference points and is the location of the weld. The system allows for comparatively shorter inserts than previously utilized.

A Mobile Electric Flash-Butt (EFB) Welding apparatus that incorporates an automated geometry system which creates field/mobile EFB welds with proper vertical alignment, within a definable distance. The system has a first pair of adjustable reference points on a left side of a mobile welding apparatus. The system has a second pair of adjustable reference points on the right side of the welding apparatus. The system has a first lifting mechanism positioned between the first pair of adjustable reference points and a second lifting mechanism positioned between the second pair of adjustable reference points. The welding line is positioned between the first and second pair of adjustable reference points and is the location of the weld. The system allows for comparatively shorter inserts than previously utilized.

A method for welding balls provides a component, provides at least two balls, places at least one first ball of the at least two balls on the component, and applies an electrical voltage in such a manner that a current flows through the at least two balls and through the component, wherein the at least two balls are simultaneously welded together and the first ball is simultaneously welded to the component.

A device (100) for covering the welding area for hot rolling lines consists of an outer container (1), a protective shield (2), a blade-holder (3) with scraping blades, and an actuator (9). Protection occurs by linearly sliding the protective shield (2) outside the outer container (1) up to minimizing the gaps with the billets. The cleaning occurs at the same time as the return to the rest position: the scraping blades, which are integral with the container (1) and are installed in contact with the inner surface of the protective shield (2), slide thereon during the raising, thus colliding with the deposits of solidified material and removing them. Completing the device (100) additionally is a small alternating linear motion of the protective shield (2) during operation to always keep the attachment area of the scraping blades clean, thus avoiding the need for excessive detachment forces at the beginning of the raising.

A device (100) for covering the welding area for hot rolling lines consists of an outer container (1), a protective shield (2), a blade-holder (3) with scraping blades, and an actuator (9). Protection occurs by linearly sliding the protective shield (2) outside the outer container (1) up to minimizing the gaps with the billets. The cleaning occurs at the same time as the return to the rest position: the scraping blades, which are integral with the container (1) and are installed in contact with the inner surface of the protective shield (2), slide thereon during the raising, thus colliding with the deposits of solidified material and removing them. Completing the device (100) additionally is a small alternating linear motion of the protective shield (2) during operation to always keep the attachment area of the scraping blades clean, thus avoiding the need for excessive detachment forces at the beginning of the raising.

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-segment device comprising an elongate first portion comprising a first metallic material, an elongate second portion comprising a different metallic material, the first and second elongate portions being directly joined together end to end, a heat affected zone surrounding an interface of the elongate first portion and the elongate second portion, a shapeable distal end formed from at least a portion of the elongate second portion, a coil disposed about a portion of the elongate second portion.

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-segment device comprising an elongate first portion comprising a first metallic material, an elongate second portion comprising a different metallic material, the first and second elongate portions being directly joined together end to end, a heat affected zone surrounding an interface of the elongate first portion and the elongate second portion, a shapeable distal end formed from at least a portion of the elongate second portion, a coil disposed about a portion of the elongate second portion.