Described are enclosures for electronic devices; the enclosures include a cover, a base, and a snap-fit engagement between the cover and the base; also described are methods of preparing the devices.

A method for joining materials, comprising placing a first metal item within a spindle; rotating the spindle to a predetermined speed; contacting the first metal item with a second metal item to create friction between the first metal item and second metal item, wherein the second metal item has a known austenization temperature that is not crossed by the created friction; applying a predetermined amount of force through the spindle, wherein application of the force stops the rotation of the spindle and joins the first metal item with the second metal item; and retracting the spindle from the first metal item.

A multi-position clamp is disclosed for positioning and holding a portable friction welding tool adjacent a substrate for friction welding a plurality of fixtures in a precise pattern referenced from a fixed position on a substrate. The clamp has a clamp base temporarily securable at the fixed position on the substrate, a traveling mount comprising a tool mount for receiving said portable friction welding tool, and a connection to the clamp base allowing relative movement of the tool mount over the substrate. Index stops help install the plurality of fixtures in the pattern and an articulated fixture loading system allow positioning and loading successive fixtures without disengaging and removing said portable friction welding tool from connection with the clamp base.

An automated electric portable friction welding system is disclosed for friction welding a fixture onto a substrate, the welding system having a linear actuator received to produce a defined stroke within a tool housing and a rotary motor engaged to said linear actuator to slide therewith. A control module controls welding operations as a function of encoded instructions and the sensor data from the linear actuator and the rotary motor, whereby the control module affords both active control of the linear actuator and rotary motor, individually to performance parameter instructions, and in coordination through phases of the weld process in response to linear actuator operation sensors and motor operation sensors. Another feature of some embodiments of the present invention is a portable friction welding network and a method for supporting portable friction welding on the cloud.

In some implementations, an apparatus comprises a pipe, a stud that is forge-welded to the pipe, creating a forge-welded stud, a bracket that is operably coupled to the forge-welded stud, and a walkway operably coupled to the bracket.

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for the mobile friction stir welding of two tubular structures as joining partners, said apparatus having the following features: a) an annular main body (2) which can be unfolded using a hinge (4) and can be fixedly connected for operation opposite the hinge (4) using a locking mechanism (1); b) a plurality of lifting elements (3) which are distributed along the circumference of the main body (2), can be moved radially by a drive unit (5), and each include a retaining jaw (15) for securing the tubular structures, one retaining jaw (15) being mounted so as to be horizontally movable by a drive unit (6); c) a ring gear (21) which is connected to the main body (2) and on which a spindle head (11) can be moved by a drive unit (20) in an orbital movement about the tubular structures in order for a weld seam to be applied; d) a welding shoe (27) having a sliding surface (27) which is adapted to the curvature of the surfaces of the joining partners.

The invention relates to a method and a device for the residue-free friction stir welding of workpieces with different thicknesses, having the following method steps:

a) two workpieces (6) to be welded are mounted such that the workpieces can be approached by a holding bell (3) for the friction stir welding tool and the drive head (2) thereof, b) after the welding device is started up, a welding pin tip (5) is immersed into the plastified material of the two workpieces (6) to be connected, wherein a welding shoe (4) is used which has a trapezoidal structure that extends in the diagonal direction of the welding shoe (4) for receiving the welding pin tip (5), and a circular opening (14) is mounted in a web with a smoothing surface (13) which has a front edge (12) that is part of a stepped Spahn guide stage (11), c) in order to improve the method, a welding shoe (4) is used in which the stepped Spahn guide stage (11) has material conducting channels on the front edge (12).

In some implementations, an apparatus includes a body, a receiver in contact with the body, at least one tensioner operable coupled to the receiver, and a strap further comprising a strong and flexible material, each end of the strap operably coupled to one of the at least one tensioner, the strap being in contact with the body.

In some implementations, an apparatus includes a container having an exterior surface, having an interior surface and having a defect, a gasket positioned over the defect in the container, the gasket having a length, a width and a depth, a rigid patch positioned over the gasket, a plurality of pairs of studs and nuts positioned near the outer perimeter of the rigid patch, the studs being friction welded to the exterior of the container.

Pneumatic machining device includes a fixing plate, a hollow piston shell, a piston group, a machining tool, a first sealing group, and a second sealing group. The piston shell is fixed to the fixing plate and coupled to a first external pressure source and second external pressure source to feed gas into the piston shell to drive the piston group and the machining tool, respectively. The piston group and the first and second sealing groups are received inside the piston shell. The piston group is driven by the first external pressure source to move away from the fixing plate. The first and second sealing groups divide the piston shell into a number of chambers for controlling a gas pressure. The machining tool is coupled to the piston group and extends out of the piston shell to machine a workpiece as the piston group moves away from the fixing plate.