Developed by
Precision Technologies Group specifically for use in the railway industry, Powerstir gantry machines are renowned for their ability to produce particularly long friction stir welds.
For example, a Powerstir machine is used to create what are believed to be the longest single FSW railway panel welds in China at over 15m in length.
PTG is widely considered to be a leader in the development of FSW technologies for transport applications and over recent years, Powerstir friction stir welders have found favour with companies from across the automotive, aviation and high-speed rail sectors.
The Powerstir FSW process provides a clean, highly aesthetic alternative to traditional welding. It delivers proven weld quality, excellent mechanical properties, virtually no porosity and the opportunity for reduced wall thickness in many applications.
Reduced wall thickness provides important opportunities for saving weight, while virtually no porosity helps minimise the ingress of moisture over time – an important attribute, especially where railway carriages are operated in harsh environments.
With welding speeds of up to 3,000mm/min, the Powerstir process is typically more than three-times faster than conventional automated welding techniques.
Friction stir welding combines frictional heat with precisely controlled forging pressure to produce extremely high-strength joints that are virtually defect free.
Due to the very low welding temperature, mechanical distortion is practically eliminated, with minimal Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) and an excellent surface finish. Friction stir welding transforms the parent metal from a solid to a plasticised state.
This occurs during a process that involves mechanically stirring the materials to be joined together, to form a high-integrity, full-penetration welded joint.
The Powerstir FSW process is effective on flat plates, cylindrical components and even on parts of irregular thickness.
Although used primarily for joining aluminium, Powerstir friction stir welding can also be applied to magnesium, copper, titanium and steel alloys.
Incorporating the brands of Holroyd, PTG Powerstir Friction Stir Welding and Holroyd Precision Rotors, PTG has established itself at the forefront of high-precision machine tool design, build and supply for specialised applications.
The range includes advanced machine tools for the production of complex helical components such as compressor rotors, pump screws and high-accuracy gears, and Powerstir machine tools for friction stir welding advanced alloys used in transport applications.
With production facilities in the UK, USA and China, Holroyd Precision Rotors manufactures the special-purpose, ultra-precision helical components used in a wide range of industries, including refrigeration, air-conditioning, gas and vacuum pumping, industrial air handling, aerospace, medical equipment, motion control, power transmission, power generation, oil and gas, fluid transfer and high-end automotive. PTG also provides advanced technical consulting services.