Spin welding
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Spin welding is a welding technique used on thermoplastic materials, in which the parts to be welded are heated by friction. The heat may be generated by turning on a lathe, a drill press, or a milling machine, where one part is driven by the chuck, and the other is held stationary with the spinning part driven against it. This is continued until the heat of friction between the parts reaches a sufficient level for the parts to weld. The stationary part is then released to spin as well, while pressure is applied along the axis of rotation, holding the parts together as they cool.
The process is very similar to friction welding which is used in metalworking.
For example, spin welding was used by the Sanshin Bicycle Parts company of Japan to manufacture high-flange bicycle hubs. The two flanges were forged as separate pieces, and the center barrel was inserted between the two flanges, and spun to a very high (tens of thousands of) rpm. Then a clutch between the barrel and motor was engaged, and the center barrel came to rest, welding it to both flanges. The part was then machined to a mirror-smooth finish, erasing all visible traces of the weld.
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