Abstract: A wire lock for use with a rotary welding torch includes a piston and a lock receiver. The piston includes a head, a stem, and an air channel. The piston head defines an internal cavity in communication with the air channel. The generally cylindrical lock receiver includes a flat face, a central conduit, and a slot in communication with the central conduit. The piston and lock receiver are positioned such that the piston stem is received within the slot, respectively. The piston is reciprocally movable between an unlocked and a locked position, and the piston stem and lock receiver are configured to clamp an electrode wire therebetween when the piston is in the locked position. The wire lock may be co-axial or perpendicular to the axis of the rotary welding torch, and may be integral to the welding torch or a swan neck of the welding torch.

Abstract: A collision sensing system includes an outer housing with a ball roller mounted thereto, a piston, a lower housing, and an electro/mechanical switch assembly having a contact ring. The piston includes a helical groove on its exterior and a tongue extending from a lower end thereof. The ball roller is positioned within the helical groove of the piston. The lower housing has a semi-spherical portion and a groove aligned with the piston tongue. A contact pin assembly extends through the piston and includes a contact pin positioned to contact the contact ring. The collision sensing system is configured such that deflection of a welding torch mounted to the lower housing misaligns the tongue and groove, slides the helical groove along the ball roller, thereby lifting the piston and breaking contact between the contact pin and contact ring.

Abstract: A wire lock for use with a rotary welding torch includes a piston and a lock receiver. The piston includes a head, a stem, and an air channel. The piston head defines an internal cavity in communication with the air channel. The generally cylindrical lock receiver includes a flat face, a central conduit, and a slot in communication with the central conduit. The piston and lock receiver are positioned such that the piston stem is received within the slot, respectively. The piston is reciprocally movable between an unlocked and a locked position, and the piston stem and lock receiver are configured to clamp an electrode wire therebetween when the piston is in the locked position. The wire lock may be co-axial or perpendicular to the axis of the rotary welding torch, and may be integral to the welding torch or a swan neck of the welding torch.

Abstract: A collision sensing system includes an outer housing with a ball roller mounted thereto, a piston, a lower housing, and an electro/mechanical switch assembly having a contact ring. The piston includes a helical groove on its exterior and a tongue extending from a lower end thereof. The ball roller is positioned within the helical groove of the piston. The lower housing has a semi-spherical portion and a groove aligned with the piston tongue. A contact pin assembly extends through the piston and includes a contact pin positioned to contact the contact ring. The collision sensing system is configured such that deflection of a welding torch mounted to the lower housing misaligns the tongue and groove, slides the helical groove along the ball roller, thereby lifting the piston and breaking contact between the contact pin and contact ring.

Abstract: A rotary robotic welding torch that enables the welding process in a robotic unit. The rotary welding torch allows for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation during the welding process, while being supplied with an uninterrupted supply of inert gas and electrical current. The rotary robotic welding torch may also be supplied with an uninterrupted supply of coolant and/or electrode/filler wire during the welding process.

Abstract: A rotary robotic welding torch that enables the welding process in a robotic unit. The rotary welding torch allows for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation during the welding process, while being supplied with an uninterrupted supply of inert gas and electrical current. The rotary robotic welding torch may also be supplied with an uninterrupted supply of coolant and/or electrode/filler wire during the welding process.