Abstract: A welder having first and second electrodes configured to clamp and weld a fastener to a workpiece at an opening in the workpiece, wherein the first electrode is configured to move in a direction transverse to a clamping direction to center the fastener with the opening. The welder can carry out a method of aligning and welding an internally-threaded nut to a panel at an opening in the panel. The method includes the steps of: centering the opening in the panel relative to a first electrode using a tapered guide pin that extends into the opening; centering the nut relative to the opening using the tapered guide pin; clamping the nut and panel between the first electrode and a second electrode; and welding the nut to the panel by passing current through the nut and panel from one of the electrodes to the other electrode.

Abstract: A welder having first and second electrodes configured to clamp and weld a fastener to a workpiece at an opening in the workpiece, wherein the first electrode is configured to move in a direction transverse to a clamping direction to center the fastener with the opening. The welder can carry out a method of aligning and welding an internally-threaded nut to a panel at an opening in the panel. The method includes the steps of: centering the opening in the panel relative to a first electrode using a tapered guide pin that extends into the opening; centering the nut relative to the opening using the tapered guide pin; clamping the nut and panel between the first electrode and a second electrode; and welding the nut to the panel by passing current through the nut and panel from one of the electrodes to the other electrode.

Abstract: Welding equipment that includes a tooling cart for transferring interchangeable tooling modules to a welding machine. A latch is mounted to the welding machine for latching the tooling cart to the welding machine, and a latch is provided for latching the tooling modules onto the tooling cart. A two-piece tooling cart includes a removable upper section for securing tooling modules thereto and a reusable lower section for use with other tooling modules. A welding method permits operation of a welding machine using a user interface that permits modular programming of at least one operational sequence of welding machine valves and weld operations for a variety of different tooling modules. An operator inputs a new sequence of operations using the user interface rather than having to rewrite ladder logic just to switch over the welding machine to use with a different tooling module.

Abstract: A welding machine that includes a machine frame having an opening permitting access to an interchangeable tooling module installed on the machine. The welding machine includes one or more light curtains covering the opening to disable operation of one or more welding stations on the tooling module if the light curtain is breached by an operator, robot, or other object. The welding machine includes a selector arm attached to the machine frame at a location between a first end and a second end of the opening. The selector arm can be moved into and out of position at the opening to selectively define either a single light curtain across the opening or a pair of adjacent light curtains that permit separate operation and access to separate welding stations behind each of the two light curtains.

Abstract: A welding machine that includes a machine frame having an opening permitting access to an interchangeable tooling module installed on the machine. The welding machine includes one or more light curtains covering the opening to disable operation of one or more welding stations on the tooling module if the light curtain is breached by an operator, robot, or other object. The welding machine includes a selector arm attached to the machine frame at a location between a first end and a second end of the opening. The selector arm can be moved into and out of position at the opening to selectively define either a single light curtain across the opening or a pair of adjacent light curtains that permit separate operation and access to separate welding stations behind each of the two light curtains.

Abstract: Welding equipment that includes a tooling cart for transferring interchangeable tooling modules to a welding machine. A latch is mounted to the welding machine for latching the tooling cart to the welding machine, and a latch is provided for latching the tooling modules onto the tooling cart. A two-piece tooling cart includes a removable upper section for securing tooling modules thereto and a reusable lower section for use with other tooling modules. A welding method permits operation of a welding machine using a user interface that permits modular programming of at least one operational sequence of welding machine valves and weld operations for a variety of different tooling modules. An operator inputs a new sequence of operations using the user interface rather than having to rewrite ladder logic just to switch over the welding machine to use with a different tooling module.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed with interchangeable tooling modules for use in a base operating machine. Disconnectible welding current contactor members connect the tooling module to a power supply/transformer of the base operating machine when the module is installed. The module is movable on a guide between uninstalled and installed locations and the contactor members are closed upon installation of the module. A set of fluid pressure and electrical connector members have complementary mating parts mounted on a module connector plate and on a machine connector plate of the base operating machine. An actuator moves the machine connector plate from a retracted position to an extended position for connecting the complementary connector members after the module is installed.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed with interchangeable tooling modules for use in a base operating machine. Disconnectible welding current contactor members connect the tooling module to a power supply/transformer of the base operating machine when the module is installed. The module is movable on a guide between uninstalled and installed locations and the contactor members are closed upon installation of the module. A set of fluid pressure and electrical connector members have complementary mating parts mounted on a module connector plate and on a machine connector plate of the base operating machine. An actuator moves the machine connector plate from a retracted position to an extended position for connecting the complementary connector members after the module is installed.

Abstract: A spot welding machine is disclosed with interchangeable tooling modules for use in a base operating machine. Push/pull welding current contactors connect the tooling module to a transformer on the base operating machine when the module is installed. The module is movable on a guide between uninstalled and installed locations and closes the contactors upon installation of the module. A set of fluid pressure and electrical connector members have complementary mating parts mounted on a module plate and on a machine connector plate of the base operating machine. An actuator moves the machine connector plate from a retracted position to an extended position for connecting the complementary connector members after the module is installed.