株式会社山本金属製作所 株式会社山本金属製作所

　MULTI INTELLIGENCE®
　i-stir

Product Top Introductory Video FAQ

About MULTI INTELLIGENCE® i-stir FSW Monitoring Device

MULTI INTELLIGENCE® FSW version

Monitor tool tip temperature and load data in real time on your PC during joining
Useful for tool material selection, shape design, and life prediction

This device enables real-time monitoring of the temperature and force on the tool during Friction Stir Welding (FSW).
It allows you to understand variations in temperature and load caused by different joining conditions or base materials, which helps determine whether optimal joining is being achieved.
This leads to improved joining quality, identification of defect causes, and evaluation of joining conditions.
It can be used as-is with your current machining center and is ideal for those interested in starting FSW.
It has various applications including joining, testing, and training (education).
In addition to sales and rental, we also offer contract testing services. Please feel free to make use of them.

Feature01
Real-time measurement of
tool pin tip temperature
Feature02
We also manufacture
FSW tools
Feature03
By installing a receiver and PC,
temperature reading and recording are possible

This device enables real-time monitoring of the tip temperature of the tool pin on a PC during Friction Stir Welding (FSW).
(Inner-through not supported)
It supports IoT implementation of FSW, optimal joining condition selection, and quality evaluation.

By making the tool itself “intelligent”, we achieve “visualization” of the joining phenomena!!

Visualization of the joining phenomena

Temperature Measurement at Tool Pin Tip

A temperature sensor (thermocouple) is embedded near the tip of the tool pin, enabling temperature measurement during welding.

Manufacturing of FSW Tools

Utilizing our machining and evaluation technologies, we also manufacture FSW tools capable of measuring tool pin temperature. Measuring the temperature of the tool pin is essential for determining optimal FSW conditions.
At YAMAMOTO METAL TECHNOS Co., Ltd., we also propose tool materials and shapes according to the materials to be joined and their applications.

Tool material examples: SKD, Cemented Carbide, Ceramics, Ni-based Alloys, Cobalt Alloys, Tungsten Carbide, etc.

Temperature and Load Monitoring & Recording

The holder is equipped with a thermocouple, strain gauge, and wireless transmitter.
The measured temperature and load data are transmitted wirelessly and can be monitored on a PC.

Introduction VideoMovie


Joining Case ExamplesCase

MULTI INTELLIGENCE® FSW version

– Same material joining examples: Various aluminum alloys (A6061, A6063, A5052, A7075, ADC12, AC4C, etc.), copper
– Dissimilar material joining examples: Rolled aluminum/cast aluminum, aluminum/steel, aluminum/copper, aluminum/resin





Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.
If you have any other questions not listed below, feel free to contact us.

What if I want to change the tool shape?
Tools are purchased from us.
If you make a request, we can manufacture them according to your desired shape.
Can the thermocouple be reused if the FSW tool is replaced?
It cannot be reused.
What is the maximum rotational speed?
Up to 20,000 RPM. (BT50 and HSK100A types are limited to 10,000 RPM)
What is the wireless communication range?
The stable communication range is approximately 20 meters, but it may vary significantly depending on the environment.
What is the maximum continuous operation time?
Around 6 hours.
What type of battery is used for the spindle tool power?
1/2AA size (half the length of a standard AA battery) lithium thionyl chloride battery,
with a nominal voltage of 3.6V.
What is the maximum measurable temperature?
For a standard thermocouple sheath diameter (φ1.0),
the continuous operating temperature is 600°C for both standard and custom models (according to JIS standards).
For short-term spikes, the standard type can handle up to 650°C, and the custom type up to 1000°C.
However, this is under the condition that the internal board temperature remains below 60°C.
Is it waterproof?
It has waterproof capabilities equivalent to IP×5~6.
Can I prepare the monitoring PC myself?
Basically, customers are expected to prepare it themselves. However, we can provide one upon request.
What is the maximum thickness it can handle?
For light metals (such as aluminum or magnesium alloys), up to 10 mm.
Is it compatible with joining ferrous materials?
It may be compatible depending on the material type and plate thickness.
What is the sampling rate?
The maximum sampling rate is one reading every 0.1 seconds.
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