Abstract: For arc welding a sleeve 3 to a workpiece surface 2, a sleeve holder 1 is surrounded by a field-former unit which contains a magnet coil 4, a magnetic flux return member 6 and a field former 7. A magnetic field is generated with a field component extending radially to the sleeve 3 within the welding gap to set the arc in rotation. To ensure a constant magnetic flux, the field-former unit, in particular its magnet coil 4, is cooled by a temperature-controlled cooling medium circulated through the welding head.

Abstract: An automatic welding stud feeder for a stud welding gun 10 comprises a magazine 40 provided at the upper side of the gun and a transfer lever 26 for transferring the respective foremost welding stud in the magazine 40, by pivotal movement through a substantially quarter-circular path, to an operating position in front of a welding electrode 14. The driving force for the transfer lever 26 is generated by springs 24 which are compressed when the welding electrode 14 with the stud 43 is pushed against the workpiece 50. In its rest position, the transfer lever 26 is locked by a catch 36. The catch 36 is actuated by a release lever 35 which is operated with the thumb of the same hand that holds the welding gun.

Abstract: Welding studs are punched from a metal band in such a way that a shank 11 of the stud is formed from a metal strip which is integral with a head 10, partly cut free therefrom and bent at right angles with respect to the plane of the head 10. For sufficient bending resistance, the metal strip forming the shank 11 is bent about the shank axis, preferably to such an extent that both lateral edges 15, 16 of the strip contact each other.