Abstract: An integrated projection welding head and drive assembly which has a pressure drive device moving an electrode head assembly into contact with one of the workpieces projection weld two workpieces together. A force generation unit biasing the electrode assembly outwardly of the drive device is housed in the drive device.

Abstract: A welding head for projection welding wherein the spring which biases the electrode is initially preloaded to exert a significant biasing force on the electrode to maintain it against a stop to define the normal fully extended position of the electrode. The spring of the welding head is also initially precalibrated to exert an accurate predetermined biasing force on the electrode when the electrode is depressed inwardly so as to effect compression of the spring by a predetermined distance, which latter distance is of very small magnitude. The welding head is disposed in engagement with overlapping sheets so that the electrode is engaged with the sheets in alignment with a projection thereon, and the electrode is depressed through said predetermined distance so that a uniform predetermined biasing force is applied to the electrode and hence to the projection weld area.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus having a tank containing a bath of an electrolytic solution, and a roll supported for immersion into the electrolytic bath for transporting a sheet material through the bath. The roll has a current collector rotatably supported on a shaft thereof for transmitting high amperage electricity to the roll. The current collector is supported on a part of the shaft which projects exteriorly of the tank side wall, and incorporates a sleevelike housing structure which surrounds and is rotatable relative to the shaft and mounts therein a plurality of conductive shoes which are of a highly electrically conductive material and are spring urged for snug radial contact with a conductive ring secured to a conductive sleeve arrangement which snugly axially and nonrotatably mounts to the shaft. The housing cooperates with the sleeve arrangement to define a generally sealed interior annular chamber in which the current-conducting shoes are positioned.

Abstract: A pair of sheets are supported on a support assembly having skewed support rollers disposed on opposite sides of an elongate guide having a pair of sidewardly opening and vertically overlapping guide grooves. The pair of sheets are disposed on opposite sides of the guide and are urged inwardly into the guide grooves so that adjacent edges of the sheets are vertically overlapped. A shuttle moves the overlapping pair of sheets toward the nip of a weld roller assembly, with the sheets being engaged by driving skewed rollers disposed directly adjacent the weld roller assembly. The sheets are drivingly moved through the nip of the weld roller assembly, with the weld roller assembly having upper and lower weld rollers which pressingly and drivingly engage the overlapping edges of the sheets therebetween to create a seam weld as the sheets move through the nip.

Abstract: A pair of sheetlike members are supported on a pair of support tables disposed on opposite sides of a movable splicing mechanism. The pair of sheets are advanced inwardly from opposite directions into a splicing position wherein the adjacent edge portions of the sheets overlap, and are suitably secured by side clamp mechanisms. The movable splicing mechanism is then linearly moved along the overlapping edges, and opposed weld rolls rollingly and clampingly engage the overlapping edges therebetween to effect welding thereof. A pair of planishing rolls rollingly and compressingly engage the seam weld and follow along behind the weld rolls to effect flattening of the seam weld. After the splicing mechanism moves along the entire length of the overlapping edges to create a mash seam weld between, a gripper mounted on the mechanism engages opposite sides of the sheet, and the mechanism then returns to its original position and simultaneously discharges the spliced sheet forwardly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a circumferential seam weld in surrounding relationship to a cylindrical workpiece. The workpiece is moved continuously along a work path at a preselected velocity, and is simultaneously supported for free rotation about its longitudinal central axis. The workpiece moves into engagement with opposed surfaces defined by a pair of electrodes, one of which moves relative to the other and relative to the workpiece for causing rotation of the workpiece through approximately one-half revolution, whereby the two electrodes simultaneously form two welds which are about 180.degree. apart and which may individually extend up to a total angle of rotation of about 180.degree., or slightly in excess thereof, so that the welds overlap.