US Patent Issued to Standex International on March 17 for "Friction stir welding process for large metallic components" (Massachusetts Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 17 -- United States Patent no. 12,576,455, issued on March 17, was assigned to Standex International Corp. (Salem, N.H.).

"Friction stir welding process for large metallic components" was invented by William D. Wellock (North Andover, Mass.) and Ryan Matthew Cullan (Tewksbury, Mass.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A method for forming a large metallic component, a friction stir welded component and a friction stir welded blank are provided. The method includes positioning a first metallic plate and a second metallic plate in an abutting arrangement. The first metallic plate and the second metallic plate have corresponding faying surfaces at a point of abutment. A backing...