Abstract: A welding electrode dressing device in particular in automated welding stations comprises an electrode treatment head (11, 111) equipped with upsetting members (15, 115) which reshape the tip of an electrode inserted in it without removing material. Advantageously the treatment head (11, 111) comprises two treatment seats (19, 119) arranged on opposite sides thereof to each receive the end (12) of a pair of welding gun electrodes.

Abstract: A body assembly system with work stations and a body handling device between work stations includes reference members mounted in an adaptable manner and handling device for supporting the body on the handling device during movement between work stations. The system also includes grasping devices mounted in the work stations for grasping the reference members and positioning them accurately while disengaging them temporarily from the handling device in such a manner as to position the body supported on the reference members accurately in the station space. The reference members are advantageously provided in the form of vertical pins ending below in a ball graspable by the grasping devices to raise the pins from resting on the handling device.

Abstract: In a welding station, particularly for motor-vehicle bodies, the elements to be welded are locked in a precise position by locking devices carried by locating gates. There are provided a number of pairs of locating gates, corresponding to the number of different types of structures to be welded on which the station must operate. The gates are mounted on powered carriages which are guided longitudinally on both sides of the conveyor line to allow the pair of gates which are in the operative position to be rapidly interchanged. The elements of the structure to be welded reach the work area suspended to a hook, without being preliminarly connected to each other.

Abstract: A transparent pressure foot for use with laser welding and cutting systems and the like. The transparent pressure foot is positioned by means of a mount so that it makes contact with a surface with a predetermined force. The foot is composed of a material that is transparent to the laser energy at its particular frequency. The foot has a top surface for receiving the laser energy and a bottom surface for making contact with the surface. The laser energy is transmitted through the transparent pressure foot and is focused to a point below the bottom surface of the pressure foot. This permits pressure as well as laser energy to be applied to the same point on the surface to facilitate laser welding or cutting.

Abstract: A system for substantially filling a cubicle container including its corners with frangible material discharged from a fixed offcenter hopper outlet including means for rotating the container under the outlet at a variable rate, relatively slower during corner passage and relatively faster during side passage.

Abstract: A body assembly system for accurately locating and welding multiple component parts of different vehicle bodies and to interfix their assembled relation at a framing station wherein more than three pairs of interchangeable gates can be employed at a single framing station having programmable welding means adapted to accommodate different body styles associated with the various sets of gates. Means are provided for retrieving, storing and exchanging either pair of end gates of a three pair system while the other end pair is in use at the framing station thereby expanding the versatility of the previous system to accommodate five or more pairs of gates.

Abstract: A car body side aperture assembly system for welding together multiple component parts of side apertures for different vehicle bodies at successive framing and respot welding stations. Overhead conveyor carriers each with laterally spaced racks for supporting loosely mounted component parts for left and right side apertures move into station position over selectively positioned framing station fixtures for accurately locating the component parts in required relation. Programmable robot welders produce different pretack welds at successive framing stations as well as respot welds at intermediate stations as required for different side apertures. The system includes means for selectively shuttling framing station pallets each with outwardly expandable fixtures having tooling for locating the multiple component parts of a particular side aperture at each framing station.

Abstract: In a welding station, particularly for motor-vehicle bodies, the elements to be welded are locked in a precise position by locking devices carried by locating gates. There are provided a number of parts of locating gates, corresponding to the number of different types of structures to be welded on which the station must operate. The gates are mounted on powered carriages which are guided longitudinally on both sides of the conveyor line to allow the pair of gates which are in the operative position to be rapidly interchanged. The elements of the structure to be welded reach the work area suspended to a hook, without being preliminarly connected to each other.