Abstract: A plurality linkages, preferably a robot holding either a spot welder with welding guns or the workpiece. The plurality of linkages move a spot welder with open tongs toward a first spot weld position. The welding guns are then closed on the workpiece and welding is performed at the first spot weld position. While the welding is being performed, parts of the plurality of linkages are advanced toward a second weld position while the welding guns remained closed at the first spot weld position. When the welding at the first position is finished, parts of the linkages are already advanced towards the second position, and the remaining linkages are then advanced to the second position. This allows the linkages or robot to move faster from one spot weld position to another.

Abstract: A woven laminate for sound absorption that includes a first woven layer, a second woven layer, and a third woven layer. The first woven layer has a coarse structure. The second woven layer has a fine structure. The third woven layer has a medium structure. Each of the first, second, and third woven layers are composed of metallic wires that are woven to each other or interlaced as a fleece. At least one of the first, the second, and the third woven layers are superimposed in order to form the woven laminate. The woven layers are placed in the layer order fine-coarse-medium. The woven layers are welded together at least partially.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bonding method for dissimilar materials made from metals and its resulting structures. The materials to be bonded are formed by layering three or more sheets such that a dissimilar material interface and a same material interface are formed. A first current is conducted between a three-sheet layered plate material wherein an aluminum alloy plate, a zinc plated steel plate and a bare steel plate, for example, are layered in order. A nugget is formed in an interface between the zinc plated steel plate and the bare steel plate, which are the same materials. Then, a second current greater than the first current is conducted, and a nugget is formed in an interface between the aluminum alloy plate and the zinc plated steel plate.

Abstract: A spot welding system including a welding gun with an openable/closable electrode pair; and a dressing determination device determining a quality of a shaping process applied to an electrode of the electrode pair. The dressing determination device includes a visual sensor obtaining an image of the electrode, identifying a base and a tip of the electrode on the image and measuring a distance between the base and the tip on the image, by image processing; a visual sensor control section allowing the visual sensor to measure the distance immediately before and after the shaping process is performed; a cut amount calculation section calculating a difference between the distances measured by the visual sensor immediately before and after the shaping process is performed, as a cut amount of the electrode; and a cut amount judgment section judging whether the calculated cut amount is within a predetermined acceptable range.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a component with an insert made of a composite is disclosed. The composite includes a metal matrix, within which ceramic fibers extend. The insert is made of a composite which is obtained from a plurality of coated filaments, each filament includes a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath. The process includes winding a bundle or bonded sheet of coated filaments around a body of revolution perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said body. The insert is then subjected to a hot isostatic pressing step in a container. The process is applied to the manufacture of aeronautical turbomachine components.

Abstract: A resistance spot welder including a first plate, a second plate rotatably connected to the first plate through a shaft and driven on the shaft by an actuator, gun arms removably fixed on and electrically insulated with the first and second plates, and electrode tips confronting each other and fixed on the gun arms.

Abstract: Each spot weld in a structure is represented by a cluster of at least one solid element in a finite element analysis model of the structure. Each spot weld is used for tying together two parts. Each of the two parts are generally represented or modeled as a number of two-dimension shell elements. Since the tie-connection between the spot weld and the two parts can be located arbitrarily within the respective part, the shell elements representing the two parts do not have to be aligned in space. The only requirement is the two shell elements must be overlapped each other such that the spot weld can tie the two shell elements (i.e., one from each part) together. A spot weld failure criterion used for determining failure including shear and axial stresses acted on the spot weld, shell element size and spot weld location sensitivity scale factors and strain rate effect.

Abstract: Methods and systems for resistance spot welding using direct current micro pulses are described. One described method comprises comprising forming a weld joint by applying a plurality of direct current micro pulses to at least two pieces of materials through a first electrode and a second electrode.

Abstract: Spot welding system including a welding gun with an electrode pair actuated by a servo-motor, a robot carrying the welding gun or objective workpieces and operating to change an relative positions and orientations of the welding gun and an workpieces, and a gun motion controller controlling the servo-motor to actuate the electrode pair. The gun motion controller includes a motion commanding section outputting motion commands to the servo-motor in accordance with a speed set-value designating a closing speed of the electrode pair, and a set-value adjusting section automatically adjusting the speed set-value to an appropriate value.

Abstract: A positioning method of a spot welding robot, the spot welding robot having a movable electrode tip and an opposition electrode tip opposed to the movable electrode tip. The method sandwiches a work piece to be welded between the pair of electrode tips and includes driving the movable electrode tip towards the opposition electrode tip with a servo motor and stopping the movement upon contact based upon a prescribed current value. The method further includes measuring an open separation of two opposing tips between the movable electrode tip and the opposition electrode tip and moving the opposition electrode tip towards the moveable electrode tip based upon the preset value and the open separation of the two opposing tips.

Abstract: A spot welding gun for resistance welding of workpieces, includes a base body and a bracket, in which electrode holders are arranged, the electrodes being in turn arranged in the holders. At least one electrode holder is fixed to an actuator that enables the electrode holder fixed thereto with the electrode to be displaced in longitudinal direction towards other electrodes. To protect the electrodes a winding device with a band is arranged, the band being displaceably arranged between the contact surface of the electrode and the workpiece opposite the electrode. The winding device assigned to the displaceable electrode is connected to the displaceable electrode so that it moves at the same time as the electrode when the electrode is moved in longitudinal direction. The electrode holders and the electrodes have devices for guiding the band from the winding device axially along the electrode holders towards the electrode and vice versa.

Abstract: A spot welding head includes an electrical conductor guided into a tubular sheath whose ends are rigidly connected to rear ends of supporting bodies of several electrodes. The sheath defines a substantially stiff loop portion configured and arranged so as to be substantially parallel and to face an annular path defined by the electrodes and the supporting bodies, in such a way that two magnetic fields, one generated by electromagnetic induction caused by electric current flowing through the electric conductor placed into the loop-shaped sheath, and the other generated by electromagnetic induction caused by electric current flowing through the electrodes and the supporting bodies thereof, substantially cancel each other out or generate an overall magnetic field which is located forward of the rear end of the welding head or forward of the operator's body.

Abstract: A welding assembly including a current generator, a first electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the first electrode including a first engagement surface and defining a first recess in the first engagement surface, and a second electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the second electrode including a second engagement surface and defining a second recess in the second engagement surface, wherein the first recess is aligned with the second recess.

Abstract: A method of forming a panel constrained layer damper treatment from a laminate, having a panel and a visco-elastic layer attached thereto, by forming a panel constrained layer damper from the laminate to a predetermined shape is provided. Additionally, the method of the present invention includes attaching the panel constrained layer damper to a substrate to form the panel constrained layer damper treatment. The method may also include subjecting the panel constrained layer damper to heat energy to bond the visco-elastic layer to the substrate. In addition, various methods of attaching the panel constrained layer damper to the substrate are provided.

Abstract: A hemming working is performed by a positioning step of positioning a first panel formed with a projected portion for welding on a second panel formed with a flange portion; a first bending step of bending the flange portion; and a second bending step of pressing the flange portion on an outer side of the projected portion.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode (1) which has a double structure including Cu or a Cu alloy as an electrode body (2) and a core material (3) made of W, Mo, a W-based alloy, or a Mo-based alloy embedded in a surface of the electrode body (2) which is abutted against a material to be welded, the core material (3) being formed by using W, Mo, the W-based alloy, or the Mo-based alloy which is in the form of a fibrous structure extended by sintering, swaging, and annealing in an electrode axis direction, the fibrous structure having a horizontal cross-sectional average particle diameter of 50 ?m or more and an aspect ratio of 1.5 or more. The electrode (1) can be used as an inexpensive electrode obtained by suppressing particle dropping/attrition and defects in electrodes for spot welding, in which heat and pressure are applied repeatedly, stably enhancing durability.

Abstract: A body frame structure having practically sufficient strength is provided. The body frame structure has a simple structure that can be obtained by simple joining operation. Vertically and horizontally arranged first and second frame members are weld-joined to an outer panel with an end portion of the second frame member facing a side surface of the first frame member. The first frame member is placed in a straddling manner on the outer panel and the end portion of the second frame member weld-joined to the outer panel and is weld-joined to both the second frame member and the outer panel. In this manner, even when the vertically and horizontally arranged first and second frame members are laser-welded to the outer panel, the joint strength can be improved without using a joint plate.

Abstract: A production line method of resistance welding comprising the steps of contacting a metal sheet with an electrode having an initial contact surface area at a force to provide a pressure to the metal sheet; applying a current though the electrode to the metal sheet; measuring dimensional changes of the electrode; correlating dimensional changes in the electrode to changes in the initial contact surface area; and adjusting the force to compensate for the changes in the initial contact surface area of the electrode to maintain pressure to the metal sheet. The force may be adjusted by stepping the force to maintain pressure to the faying surface of the metal sheet to be welded. By maintaining the pressure at the faying surface the life cycle of the electrodes may be increased without forming discrepant welds.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for resource reallocation based on ambient condition data is disclosed herein. The system includes a planning module (102) for configuring plan data to include a primary sequence and an auxiliary sequence, a rule table (116) for storing the auxiliary sequence, an ambient condition receiver (124) for receiving the ambient condition data, and a routing processor (126) for accessing the rule table (116) to allocate an auxiliary sequence in place of a primary sequence in the event that particular ambient data is received.

Abstract: A method including laser welding a barrier to a sleeve and at least one of a housing or coil cup to enclose a solenoid in a solenoid-driven piston pump. The solenoid driven piston pump may comprise a portion of an implantable drug delivery device.

Abstract: Provided are a bolt for projection welding and a method of welding the same in which a portion of large fusion depth is formed in a small region and in which junction to a steel sheet part is secured in other regions, thereby realizing high weld strength and stable junction state. A bolt includes a shaft part, an enlarged diameter part, and a fusion bonding projection, the fusion bonding projection including an initial fusion part having at an end surface thereof a tapered portion and a main fusion part continuous with the initial fusion part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting an electrode during the resistance welding of workpieces, in particular sheet metal. Said device comprises a strip that is placed over the electrode and can be displaced in relation to the latter, a backing material of said strip having an electrically conductive coating. To improve the welding quality, the coating is applied to the opposite side of the strip from the electrode and consists of a material, whose hardness is less than that of the backing material of the strip. The soft, electrically conductive coating improves the transfer of current from the electrode to the workpiece, thus preventing weld spatter and improving the welding quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (22) for evaluating an image (20) produced on a carrier material (8) by spot welding of a weld spot (19) using an optical image-detecting unit (23), comprising a camera (24) which consists of at least one detection means (25) and one lens (26). In order to create an evaluation device (22), by means of which the optical quality testing of spot-weld joints can be improved, the image-detecting means (23) comprises an illumination device (27) with a diffusor (28) for diffusively and homogeneously illuminating an image (20) of the spot-welding on the carrier material (8). Furthermore, the invention relates to a welding tool (1) for a spot-welding plant, in particular a welding gun (2), having an evaluation device (22) for analyzing an image (20) of a spot weld (19) on a carrier material (8).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a bonded sheet with a plurality of coated filaments, which include a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath, includes placing the filaments beside one another in one and the same plane, and welding the filaments together by laser spot welding.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tubular component with an insert made of a metal matrix composite, within which ceramic fibers extend, includes a draping step, in which a bonded sheet of coated filaments is draped around a metal mandrel. Each filament includes a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath, and the filaments are bonded by spot welds.

Abstract: In a method to seal/lock a strap (44) including a metal strap (44d) which is fitted at least in the zone of seal with a protective layer (44c), the packing strap is laid in the form of a loop around the package and is held, in particular, clamped, in place before and/or during production of the seal. The seal is implemented on the packing strap (44) by resistance welding and the protective layer (44c) of the packing strap (44) shall be pierced before and/or during production of the seal.

Abstract: Components for positioning devices that can be welded together via a resistance welding process. The one component exhibits at least one circulatory embossing that protrudes beyond its surface toward the connection side and that engages in the complementary recess of the other component. The embossing can be pressed into the recess during the resistance welding process. At least one of the components exhibits on the side spaced from the circulatory embossing additional embossings that limit the impression depth of the circulatory embossing of the one component into the recess of the other component. This is done such that the surfaces facing each other of the two components maintain a fixed distance to one another.

Abstract: A spot weld gun with thereto belonging power transmission being achieved by means of a rotating transformer including one primary side and one secondary side for transporting electrical power over a rotating joint. The one secondary side is adapted to provide both required power to the weld current and any required auxiliary power.

Abstract: There is provided an electric driving unit for X-type gun made up by combining a pressure application driving body with a motor, wherein the electric driving unit is attached to a fixed arm or a gun bracket utilizing a housing of the motor, thereby obtaining the electric driving unit for X-type gun capable of rendering the electric driving unit to be compact and held stably, and causing the maintenance thereof to be executed with reliability and ease.

Abstract: A synthetic material is applied to a structure of an article of manufacture such as an automotive vehicle. Typically, the material assists in or at last does not interfere with manufacturing steps applied to the article of manufacture.

Abstract: An improved method for joining together the edge portions of first and second panels includes applying a heat curable adhesive along the edge portion of the first panel and then abutting the edge portion of the second panel with the edge portion of the first panel so that the adhesive is interposed between the edge portions of the first and second panels and the adhesive spaces the panels apart and provides a gap between the panels. A brazing material is melted and fills the gap and the heating of the panels by the brazing causes at least partial curing of the adhesive so that the panels are joined together by both brazing and adhesive bonding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective covering for welding devices, in particular spot welding pliers, said covering being resistant to welding projections and being non-flammable. The inventive covering comprises a front panel and a rear panel which can be connected to each other by connecting means enabling the distance between the two panels to be adjusted, said panels being substantially planar and protecting the part of the device provided with welding pliers and the part opposite thereto, also comprising a tubular rim which is placed between the front and rear panels and which protects the part located between them, said rim consisting of several panels which are joined to each other in a detachable manner such that the rim corresponds substantially to the circumference of the welding device.

Abstract: Method of welding a metal sheet and metal tubing as well as a welded sheet-to-tube welded structure wherein the tube-to-sheet gage ratio may be reduced to permit use of metal tubing having a reduced wall thickness. One or more intermediate metal bridging members is/are first welded to a metal tube using a relatively rapid welding process that reduces heat input and residual tensile stress imparted to the tube. A metallic sheet then is spot welded directly to the one or more bridging members, rather than to the metallic tube, to form a welded sheet-to-tube structure.

Abstract: An improved method of weldbonding utilizing inclusion bodies, placed directly between materials to be bonded or included in a weldbonding adhesive. The inclusion bodies maintain a gap between the materials to be welded which provides a gas releasing egress route to disperse the gas and gaseous byproducts produced during welding. This egress route substantially prevents the gases and gaseous byproducts from being expelled through the weld pool and the resultant degradation of the quality of the weld pool, particularly with coated materials, partial penetration welds, and such materials as 6000 series aluminum. The method further comprises an optional step of including a crack-reducing additive, applied either directly to the materials to be welded or included in the adhesive. A laser weldbonding embodiment may use a plurality of phased heat cycles to reduce weld imperfections, and enhance the effects of the adhesive and optional crack-reducing additive.

Abstract: A technique for electrically interconnecting a disk drive suspension assembly and a micro-actuator mounting a transducer-carrying slider. A first set of termination pads is provided on a generally planar surface of the micro-actuator, adjacent a front edge portion of the micro-actuator. A set of leads is provided on the suspension assembly so as to extend generally orthogonally to the first set of termination pads and in adjacent relationship therewith. Electrical connections are provided between the first set of termination pads and the suspension assembly leads. A second set of termination pads can be provided on the micro-actuator planar surface adjacent to a front edge portion of the slider and a third set of termination pads can be provided on the slider front edge portion. The second and third sets of termination pads are then electrically connected.

Abstract: An electric actuator having an in-line rotation shaft, electric motor and encoder in which the encoder shaft, the motor shaft and the rotation shaft is concentric and integrally formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the size and/or quality of a spot weld. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers arranged with a delay line for positioning adjacent a surface of a weld. A layer of gel is placed between the delay line and the weld surface. The array of transducers emit ultrasonic waves that pass into the weld. The reflected waves are received by the transducers and relayed to a central processing unit that analyzes the time delay, amplitude, and amplitude attenuation to calculate the border of the weld nugget, the thickness of the welded material, the thickness of the gel layer, and other factors contributing to weld quality.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: A spot welding system using a spot welding gun having a servomotor for driving welding tips capable of suppressing variation of pressing force due to influence of heat generated by welding current to obtain an uniform pressing force. A position control of the welding tips is performed based on motion commands r, position feedback amounts y to obtain a torque command (current command) &tgr; to drive the servomotor. A difference between the temperature T detected by a temperature sensor and an initial temperature T0 is multiplied by a coefficient A to obtain a pressing force compensation amount &agr;. In a pressing force control, the pressing force compensation amount &agr; is subtracted from the commanded pressing force to obtain temperature compensated command pressing force P′.

Abstract: In a peripheral connecting region of two sheets including two overlapping flanges of the sheets, the sheets are connected to each other such that they cannot be displaced relative to each other. In order to be able to connect high-strength sheets or other sheets which can be difficult to weld to each other, the sheets are connected in the connecting region by a strip-shaped fastening element. The strip-shaped fastening element encloses the outer contour of the flanges and rests with some sections of its inner side on mutually remote surfaces of the two flanges. A method for producing the connecting region is also proposed.

Abstract: A method and assembly for spot welding metal sheets includes a conductive metal strip sandwiched between an electrode and the sheet metal to be welded. The conductive strip shields the electrodes from deterioration accelerating coatings present on the sheet metal to be welded. The conductive strip deteriorates instead of the electrode and is indexed through the welding interface after a desired number of welds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel electric joining method and apparatus that can overcome the defects associated with the prior art while taking advantage of the technology for the pulse excited sintering process such as spark plasma sintering process or the hot-press joining process.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding is disclosed. The method includes providing a first metallic workpiece having a primary surface and a second metallic workpiece having a secondary surface. The method also includes positioning the primary surface into physical contact with a first electrode and a second electrode into physical contact with the secondary surface. The second electrode includes a secondary actuator. The method also includes measuring contact force between the first electrode and the second electrode, and initiating a current through the first electrode when the contact force reaches a preselected force value. The method also includes forming a weld nugget in at least the second workpiece and a depression in the primary surface of the first workpiece, and controlling the location of the weld nugget by using two different classes of electrodes. The depression in the primary surface is substantially undetectable by a visual examination. A resistance spot welding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An alloy for making weld gun arm castings comprises about 0.35 to 0.8 wt. % Be, about 0.2 to 0.9 wt. % Co and about 1.5 to 2.4 wt. % Ni, with the balance being Cu and incidental impurities, the (Ni+Co)/Be ratio in the alloy being at least about 4.

Abstract: A welded joint is made between a sheet-steel component and a sheet-aluminum component by way of a lap or web weld. Hat-like clip parts are pushed through openings in the sheet-aluminum component. The clip parts are welded at their bottom to the sheet-steel component and overlap the exposed flat side of the sheet-aluminum component with their flanges, which form the free rims. In order to improve the quality of the weld, an adhesive is introduced into a gap situated between the clip part and the sheet-aluminum component.

Abstract: A fixture for holding two members in alignment and in pressure engagement with each other during partial welding of the two members to each other and for holding the members in alignment and pressure engagement with each other while the two members are repositioned in the welding machine so the welding of the members to each other can be completed. The fixture includes a magnetic base for postionably mounting the fixture with respect to a welding unit, an extension extending from the magnetic base with the extension angularly supporting a lever spring in a cantilevered fashion with the free end of the cantilevered spring engaging a ball held in position by a magnetic holder.