Title: Sheet metal forming: new technologies applied to the fabrication of solar energy collector panels

Authors: Rodrigo Patricio De Arruda, Alexandre Baroni, Lirio Schaeffer

Addresses: Technology Centre, Mechanical Transformation Laboratory – LdTM, UFRGS University, Porto Alegre, Brazil. ' Technology Centre, Mechanical Transformation Laboratory – LdTM, UFRGS University, Porto Alegre, Brazil. ' Technology Centre, Mechanical Transformation Laboratory – LdTM, UFRGS University, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Abstract: This research look for alternatives to the fabrication of solar energy collector panels using new technologies: Incremental Sheet Metal Forming and Friction Stir Welding with a 3-axis CNC machine. This process innovation allows great flexibility, making the low volume production feasible, with high level of customisation.

Keywords: incremental forming; friction stir welding; FSW; solar energy; sheet metal forming; solar collector panels; solar power; CNC machining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2008.020510

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2008 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.254 - 263

Published online: 28 Sep 2008 *

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