Abstract: Devices which shorten the time needed for the assembly of electrode capsules on welding grippers are provided. Such devices may have two stations for withdrawal of electrode capsules. The withdrawal stations may have a mirror-image arrangement with respect to a given intermediate plane and may be situated in a peripheral zone of the apparatus. Two guide ducts may house two respective rows of electrode capsules. Two prechambers can be provided, each one being arranged between the associated withdrawal station and an outlet end of the associated guide duct. A retractable stop pin may be mounted between each prechamber and the associated withdrawal station, said pin, when extracted, blocking an electrode capsule inside the withdrawal station. To transfer an electrode capsule from the prechamber to the associated withdrawal station, the apparatus may be provided with two positioning devices which can be selectively operated in order to accomplish this.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing a pair of electrode caps from a pair of electrode cap holders of a spot welding gun. A rotatable member (11) which can be rotated about an axis (x) has an axially extended through cavity (19) with an inner cylindrical wall in which there are formed two axially spaced sets of niches (20, 21). The niches each have a curved axial wall (20c, 21c) with an eccentric profile relative to the axis of rotation (x). The niches of each set have depths and curvatures progressively increasing in a same circumferential direction. Two sets of gripping rollers (24, 25), partially received in the two sets of niches (20, 21), are provided for gripping two electrode caps (E) on a same welding gun.

Abstract: An automated welding electrode adaptive maintenance method and system are disclosed, including: —acquiring a predetermined electrode maintenance schedule, including electrode maintenance parameters; —acquiring welding electrode parameters representative of a wear condition of at least one electrode at a predetermined maintenance frequency; —selecting a maintenance operation for at least one electrode based on the comparison of the electrode parameters representative of the wear condition of at least one electrode with predetermined reference parameters; —issuing a signal to a selected maintenance station for performing the selected maintenance operation; and —controlling adjusting the electrode maintenance frequency based on the electrode parameters representative of the wear condition of at least one electrode.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing a pair of electrode caps from a pair of electrode cap holders of a spot welding gun. A rotatable member (11) which can be rotated about an axis (x) has an axially extended through cavity (19) with an inner cylindrical wall in which there are formed two axially spaced sets of niches (20, 21). The niches each have a curved axial wall (20c, 21c) with an eccentric profile relative to the axis of rotation (x). The niches of each set have depths and curvatures progressively increasing in a same circumferential direction. Two sets of gripping rollers (24, 25), partially received in the two sets of niches (20, 21), are provided for gripping two electrode caps (E) on a same welding gun.

Abstract: An optical device for detecting quality of welding gun electrodes An optical sensor device comprises a housing (10) with a pair of openings (11, 11a) communicating with a pair first (14) and a second (15) seat for accommodating a respective one of a pair of electrodes (E1, E2). A first set of lights (16, 17) emit a first (L1) and a second (L2) light beam in an intermediate geometric plane (p1) between the seats (14, 15). Two oblique reflecting elements (25, 26), interposed between the two seats (14, 15), to reflect the first (L1) and second (L2) light beams in two opposite directions perpendicular to the geometric plane (p1) toward the first and the second seats. Other lights (47, 32) emit third (L3) and fourth (L4) light beams on opposite sides of the geometric plane (p1) to illuminate the first and the second seat (14, 15).

Abstract: Devices which shorten the time needed for the assembly of electrode capsules on welding grippers are provided. Such devices may have two stations for withdrawal of electrode capsules. The withdrawal stations may have a mirror-image arrangement with respect to a given intermediate plane and may be situated in a peripheral zone of the apparatus. Two guide ducts may house two respective rows of electrode capsules. Two prechambers can be provided, each one being arranged between the associated withdrawal station and an outlet end of the associated guide duct. A retractable stop pin may be mounted between each prechamber and the associated withdrawal station, said pin, when extracted, blocking an electrode capsule inside the withdrawal station. To transfer an electrode capsule from the prechamber to the associated withdrawal station, the apparatus may be provided with two positioning devices which can be selectively operated in order to accomplish this.

Abstract: An optical device for detecting quality of welding gun electrodes An optical sensor device comprises a housing (10) with a pair of openings (11, 11a) communicating with a pair first (14) and a second (15) seat for accommodating a respective one of a pair of electrodes (E1, E2). A first set of lights (16, 17) emit a first (L1) and a second (L2) light beam in an intermediate geometric plane (p1) between the seats (14, 15). Two oblique reflecting elements (25, 26), interposed between the two seats (14, 15), to reflect the first (L1) and second (L2) light beams in two opposite directions perpendicular to the geometric plane (p1) toward the first and the second seats. Other lights (47, 32) emit third (L3) and fourth (L4) light beams on opposite sides of the geometric plane (p1) to illuminate the first and the second seat (14, 15).

Abstract: The milling cutter includes blades each having a cutting edge and a rear face. The cutting edges extend radially outwards from a longitudinal axis so as to create, during the rotation of the milling cutter, one or two concave surfaces for receiving the ends of one or two electrodes. The rear face has a concave profile in a section plane perpendicular to the cutting edge.

Abstract: The milling cutter includes three blades each having a cutting edge and a rear face. The cutting edges extend radially outwards from a longitudinal axis so as to create, during the rotation of the milling cutter, one or two concave surfaces for receiving the ends of one or two electrodes. The rear face has a concave profile in a section plane perpendicular to the cutting edge.