Abstract: An automatic material changing and welding system for stamping materials includes a welding transfer sliding table and a welding platform. The automatic material changing device further includes a feeding system. The feeding system includes a double-head uncoiling machine, an automatic feeding machine and a flattening machine. The automatic material changing device is used for automatic feeding for a stamping machine. The system triggers a material changing signal through a sensor to control and integrate the welding transfer sliding table and the welding platform to act to execute a welding procedure, so that the stamping materials are in welding connection with new and old coiled materials through a welding connection plate to realize continuous production operation of an automated stamping production line.

Abstract: An autonomous processing station, in particular for machining a plate-shaped workpiece, for example, including a roller conveyor and a suction table disposed beneath the roller conveyor for clamping the workpiece. The roller conveyor includes movable rollers, in a longitudinal center region of the roller conveyor, so as to be movable to the side beneath stationary rollers at ends of the roller conveyor, so that the workpiece can be lowered through the resulting opening onto the suction table.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot comprising a plurality of payloads; a plurality of arms, wherein each of the plurality of arms is pivotally mounted to one of the plurality of payloads; a plurality of sleds, wherein each sled is mounted to one of the plurality of arms; a plurality of inspection sensors, each of the inspection sensors coupled to one of the plurality of sleds such that each sensor is operationally couplable to an inspection surface; and wherein the plurality of sleds are horizontally distributed on the inspection surface at selected horizontal positions, and wherein each of the arms is horizontally moveable relative to the corresponding payload.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a joined member and a joined member manufacturing apparatus which can manufacture a joined member with a joint portion having an appropriate hardness.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly includes providing first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another about a pivot between a first, spaced-apart position and a second, approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cavity defined therein and the other of the first and second jaw members includes a stop member configured to be inserted into the cavity. A gap-setting gauge is grasped between the first and second jaw members to define a gap-distance between the jaw members equivalent to a thickness of the gap-setting gauge. The first and second jaw members are set such that the jaw members are prevented from approximation beyond the gap-distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of an automatic seam fitter attachment for use with an automatic welding machine are designed to automate the plate edge cleaning, tight seam fitting, and tacking or welding of metal lapped or butted plates. The seam fitter attachment can be used on any product or in any industry where metal lap or butted plates seam together. The attachment may be provided with a power cleaning brush that cleans the edges of the plates and mechanically forces plate tightness as they are being tacked or welded.

Abstract: A latching connector having a pin, a housing, and a canted coil spring is disclosed. The housing has an opening that slidably receives the pin. The housing and the pin each have a groove that is sized and dimensioned to receive a portion of the canted coil spring. The pin groove and housing groove have a curved surface with a radius that is equal to or larger than the major axis of the canted coil spring. The canted coil spring has an outer diameter that is equal to or larger than the diameter of the housing groove. Together, the pin, housing, and canted coil spring provide a latching connector with a reliable and consistent connect force and disconnect force. The latching connector provides improved electrical conductivity from the pin to the housing by providing multiple contact points with the canted coil spring.

Abstract: A system for automatically brazing joints in a manifold has a loading station, a brazing station, and a cooling station. The brazing station has a plurality of brazing torches moveable to a joint in the manifold to braze the joint. First, second and third fixture frames extend from a common rotatable platform. The platform rotates each of the fixture frames to each of the loading station, brazing station, and cooling station in turn. The fixture frames support manifolds with joints requiring brazing. The torches are disposed on a lifting platform that lifts the torches up to a desired joint. The lifting platform is disposed on a sliding platform that slides the torches horizontally to the desired joint. The torches surround the joint and braze it from all sides simultaneously. While brazing is being performed at the brazing station, loading and unloading of manifolds may be done at the loading station, and cooling of already-brazed manifolds may take place at the cooling station.

Abstract: A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface is provided that includes a magnet and a plurality of rollers disposed around an outer periphery of each of the hubs of the wheels. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is perpendicular to a first axial direction of the wheel. The rollers are supported by a plurality of magnetically-inducible brackets attached to the hub. The brackets are optimally sized and shaped to reduce the space between the magnetized materials of the wheel and the surface upon which the wheel travels.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is aligned by placing the semiconductor device in a nest between first and second sections of the nest when the nest is in a receiving position in which the first and second sections are spaced further apart from one another than when the nest is in an aligning position. The nest is moved from the receiving position to the aligning position with the semiconductor device in the nest so that the first and second sections are spaced closer to one another and align the semiconductor device in the nest. The semiconductor device is removed from the nest after the semiconductor device is aligned.

Abstract: A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning mechanism adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet includes an upper guide rail, a lower guide rail, a positioner rail supported from one of the upper and lower guide rails and guided by the other of the upper and lower guide rails, and a rail clamp assembly fastened to a portion of a tube sheet. This rail clamp assembly has a flat plate member fastened to the tube sheet, a base plate spaced from the flat plate by one or more threaded shafts, and one or more clamp fingers rotatably fastened to the base plate. Each clamp fingers is operable to rotate toward the base plate when the base plate is drawn against the flat plate or beam member by rotating the threaded shaft, thus drawing the rail securely to the flat plate of the clamp assembly.

Abstract: A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface that includes a hub having a first axial direction of rotation. A plurality of rollers are disposed around an outer periphery of the hub. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction. The wheel includes at least one magnet that is mounted to the hub. The hub is made of a magnetically inducible material that concentrates the flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed. A method for traversing a magnetically inducible surface using the multidirectional wheel is further provided.

Abstract: An apparatus with (a) a conformable contact member with a base and a contact layer; and (b) a magnet integral with or attached to the base, wherein, when the apparatus is placed on a target surface, the magnet and the target surface attract each other such that the contact layer is secured against the target surface.

Abstract: Roller positioner for tubes comprising: a base structure; two lower support rollers rotating around respective axes positioned on said base structure; and an upper roller antagonist to said two lower support rollers; characterized by comprising a deformable quadrilateral for the movement of said upper roller suited for moving said upper roller along a rectilinear axis by a predetermined distance and then away from said rectilinear axis.

Abstract: A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface that includes at least one hub is provided. The hub defines a first axial direction of rotation. A plurality of rollers are disposed around an outer periphery of the hub. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction. The wheel includes at least one magnet that is mounted to the hub. The hub is made of a magnetically inducible material that concentrates the flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed.

Abstract: A method, process and apparatus for repairing and repainting vehicles and vehicle components, specifically auto body repair and vehicle body components. The method and process reduce vehicle painting preparation time and eliminate material and waste material in the repair and repainting process. The apparatus is directed a vehicle component support stand which simulates the mounting of the body components on a vehicle to reduce time and expenses in the component repair and replacement process.

Abstract: There is provided a shield-can, including a plate including a circular through-hole formed therein for exposing a lens part, a plurality of side walls extended from edges of the plate and forming an inner space together with the plate, an anti-reflection layer stacked on an upper surface of the plate, and an insulating layer stacked on an inner surface of any one side wall of the plurality of side walls and at edges of inner surfaces of side walls neighboring the any one side wall, wherein the insulating layer has a band shape and is stacked on lower end portions of the inner surfaces of the side walls.

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 workbench assembly comprises a base. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a first wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The second panel is adjacent to the first panel at a first end of the first panel and the third panel is adjacent to the first panel at a second end of the first panel. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a second wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a fourth panel, a fifth panel, and a sixth panel. The fifth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a first end of the fourth panel and the sixth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a second end of the fourth panel.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode support structure in which local heating can be prevented from occurring in a workpiece during the electric heating. The electrode support structure is usable for applying a load to the electrodes used for the electric heating of a metal plate, and comprises at least two members, i.e., a first member to which the electrodes are fixed and a second member which receives the load from the first member or connects the first member to a load means. The support structure in which the two members are joined to each other through an elastic member can uniformly apply the load to the electrodes for electric heating so that the electrodes can uniformly contact with the workpiece, whereby the workpiece can be uniformly heated.

Abstract: A laser welding tool comprises a first and a second tool part for fixing a first welding article to a second welding article. The two welding articles are arranged at least partially between the two tool parts. The second tool part comprises at least two partial elements which are displaceable independently of one another toward the first tool part for pressing the second welding article against the first welding article.

Abstract: A holding apparatus, which is used in electrical discharge machining for cutting a workpiece into slices at intervals of wires arranged in parallel to each other, includes: a holding unit for holding the workpiece so as to prevent the workpiece from falling from the holding apparatus; and an energization unit for energizing the workpiece so as to pass current through the workpiece. The holding unit is disposed outside a place at which the wires and the holding unit interfere with each other. The energization unit is disposed at a place at which the cutting of the workpiece into slices by the wires ends. A portion of the energization unit, which is brought into contact with the workpiece at the place at which the cutting of the workpiece into slices ends, has a surface shape that is prevented from conforming to a machining surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A simulator facilitates virtual welding activity of pipe and open root weld joints. The simulator may include a logic processor based system operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive welding environment that emulates welding activity on a section of virtual pipe having at least one virtual weld joint. It also includes a display connected to the logic processor based system for visually depicting the interactive welding environment, wherein the display depicts the section of virtual pipe. A mock welding tool is provided for performing virtual welding activity on the at least one weld joint in real time where one or more sensors are adapted to track movement of the input device in real time for communicating data about the movement of the input device to the logic processor based system.

Abstract: A pipe fabrication apparatus includes a fabrication module having a guide adapted to support a cylindrical component, at or adjacent a first end of the component, at two discrete and space apart locations on an exterior surface of the component, and a bed for supporting the cylindrical component at a position distal the first end such that a longitudinal axis of the component is aligned with a central axis of the fabrication module in order to allow additional cylindrical parts to be quickly and easily coaxially aligned with the component for the purposes of tack welding the two items together prior to full seam welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to be used when welding two abutting sections of pipe or tubing, and also to purge blocks for establishing a localized inert atmosphere inside two abutting pipe sections in the region of a desired weld joint. The present invention comprises an inflatable bladder with elongated engaging members that can be removable positioned within the ends of two abutting pipe sections in order to center the two abutting sections of pipe and create the purge block.

Abstract: An equalizing mechanism of a welding apparatus connects an apparatus body and a fixed bracket, and includes a fixed member on the fixed bracket, and a pressure shaft on an apparatus body close to a bottom face of the fixed member. A cutout is at a position facing the fixed member A movable member on the apparatus body accommodates the fixed member. A restrictive member located by side faces of the fixed member and the movable member restricts relative movement thereof to a direction parallel to the pressure shaft. A driven lever is supported by a front portion of the fixed member to abut on an inner front face of the movable member at one end and abut on the pressure shaft at an other end. A spring between a back portion of the fixed member and an inner back face of the movable member presses the two members to move away from each other.

Abstract: A support comprises a ceramic supporting surface, on which a circuit board may be placed for cutting to be performed by means of optical radiation generated by a laser. The ceramic supporting surface remains unchanged as said laser radiation hits it.

Abstract: A clamping device and a laser welding apparatus using the same are disclosed. The clamping device may include: an upper clamping link mounted rotatably upwardly or downwardly by a hinge shaft; a lower clamping link mounted rotatably in an opposite direction of the upper clamping link by the hinge shaft and corresponding to the upper clamping link; at least two upper rollers rotatably mounted at the upper clamping link; at least two lower rollers rotatably mounted at the lower clamping link, corresponding to the upper roller, and fixing a welding object together with the upper rollers; and an operating cylinder configured to rotate the upper clamping link and the lower clamping link in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for the melting of silicon comprising a container for holding pieces of silicon and at least one means for heating silicon inside the container, wherein the container comprises a tube extending in a longitudinal direction for holding pieces of silicon and a bottom, wherein the tube is arranged on the bottom, wherein the bottom comprises at least one outlet for letting out melted silicon, and wherein the means for heating comprises at least one coil.

Abstract: A plurality of plate-like workpieces held by a workpiece holder are subjected to discharge machining by a wire electric discharge machine. The workpiece holder includes a cylindrical member in which the plurality of plate-like workpieces are housed in a stacked state, lid members placed on upper and lower ends of the plate-like workpieces housed in the cylindrical member so as to press the plate-like workpieces, and a workpiece stage mount member having an insertion hole in which the cylindrical member is inserted and housed. Concave sections are formed in positions corresponding to a machining start point and a machining end point on an inner circumference surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A fixture for welding a substrate using capacitive discharge welding includes a support plate having a receiving portion. A back plate that is generally planar is positioned adjacent a rear wall of the support plate and perpendicular thereto, wherein the support plate and back plate are made from a non-conductive material. Another fixture for welding a substrate includes a pair of support plates having a cut-out forming a receiving portion. A back plate that is generally planar is positioned adjacent a rear wall of one of the support plates, wherein the support plate and back plate are made from a non-conductive material. A method of welding a substrate using capacitive discharge welding is also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for centering a hand tool relative to a fastener, including a sighting guide for providing a reference for the location of a centering tool relative to the fastener. The centering tool may include a reception to enhance sighting and facilitate interoperability with additional viewing devices and hand tools for operating on the fastener.

Abstract: In a number of practical situations it is desirable to provide consistency with regard to a metering material presentation. For example, with regard to welding and shape metal deposition it is desirable to provide a homogenous vortex free cloud of gas shielding about a work piece prior to and subsequent to processing. Unfortunately, metering meshes are subject to distortion through thermal gradients. By providing a support matrix arrangement comprising a first planar member and a second planar member incorporating ribbon elements and deflector portions bilateral deflection in the plane of the metering mesh can be accommodated whilst outward buckling is avoided. In such circumstances there is consistency with regard to metering mesh presentation and therefore gas flow through shielding.

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 jig and welding process for planar magnetic components are provided. The welding jig includes a fixed piece and an elastic piece. The fixed piece includes a base and a carrier. The base has an opening, bumps at the bottom of the opening and a pair of operation ends extending from the opening. The carrier is fixed on the base and located in the opening, and has multiple through holes. When the bumps are located respectively in the through holes, an accommodation interval is formed between adjacent pairs of the bumps for the placement of the planar magnetic components. The elastic piece is secured to the fixed piece, and when the planar magnetic components are placed in the accommodation intervals of the fixed piece, the elastic piece covers the planar magnetic components and the planar magnetic components abut against two side edges of the elastic piece.

Abstract: A joining machine for joining ends of successive strips in a strip treatment installation includes a device welding a first end of a strip to a second end of another strip, a first pair of symmetrical clamping jaws including a first upper and a first lower clamping jaw gripping the first end of a strip, a second pair of symmetrical clamping jaws including a second upper and a second lower clamping jaw gripping the second end of a strip, the clamping jaws holding and positioning the first end facing the second end for welding the ends together. At least two clamping jaws of the two pairs each include a part for contacting one of the ends to be welded to another end. The part has a geometry and at least one constituent material reducing a strength of eddy currents likely to be created in the clamping jaw by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: A work station including hide away doors is presented. The work station includes a frame defining a work area, a front door assembly movable within the frame and a front door assembly track disposed within the frame, the front door assembly movable along the front door assembly track. A drive mechanism is disposed along the frame, the drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the front door assembly, the drive mechanism operable to position the front door assembly in a plurality of positions along the front door assembly track. The front door assembly is capable of being positioned beneath a device within the work area thereby allowing full frontal access to the device within the work area and full overhead access to the device within the work area.

Abstract: An equalizing mechanism connecting an apparatus body and a fixed bracket, includes a fixed member on the fixed bracket, a pressure shaft on an apparatus body closely to a bottom face of the fixed member, and comprising a cutout at a position facing the fixed member, a movable member on the apparatus body to accommodate the fixed member, a restrictive member by side faces of the fixed member and the movable member to restrict relative movement thereof to a direction parallel to the pressure shaft, a driven lever supported by a front portion of the fixed member to abut on an inner front face of the movable member at one end and abut on the pressure shaft at the other end, and a spring between a back portion of the fixed member and an inner back face of the movable member to press the two members to move away from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to be used when welding two abutting sections of pipe or tubing, and also to purge blocks for establishing a localized inert atmosphere inside two abutting pipe sections in the region of a desired weld joint. The present invention comprises an inflatable bladder with elongated engaging members that can be removable positioned within the ends of two abutting pipe sections in order to center the two abutting sections of pipe and create the purge block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement for a combination structure of the bottom of a pan (kettle) body and a heating apparatus, and more particularly to the improvement which includes weld-bonding an aluminum alloy plate or aluminum block of similar or dissimilar materials to the bottom of a pan (kettle) body, wherein the outer side of the aluminum alloy plate or aluminum block can be molded by die casting or casting to embed an electric heating tube therein, or the aluminum alloy plate or aluminum block is preheated to a certain temperature, the softened aluminum alloy plate or aluminum block is formed with an accommodating groove for accommodating an electric heating tube, the above-described aluminum alloy plate or aluminum block and the bottom of the pan (kettle) body are joined by high speed friction heat welding, and then the electric heating tube is clamped and fixed within the accommodating groove of the aluminum alloy plate or aluminum block, or an electric heating tube is embedded in an al

Abstract: A receiving element which can be introduced into a borehole of at least one component includes a bolt presenting an outer surface that is approximately parallel and advantageously coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the bolt. The receiving element requires few materials and can therefore be produced at a low constructional cost while being provided with high dimensional stability and positioning accuracy. The bold includes an abrasion-resistant sintered material, and a metal tip provided on the front end of the shaft. The end part of the tip is engageable in a recess of the bolt, and there is a direct connection between the end part and the recess in the connection region on the front end of the bolt.

Abstract: A substrate support unit of a substrate processing apparatus includes a first support member, a second support member, a buffer member and a tube. The first support member has an electrode and a heater built-in and supports the substrate. The second support member is disposed beneath the first support member to support the first support member. The buffer member is disposed between the first support member and the second support member to form an air gap between the first support member and the second support member so as to reduce heat transfer between the first support member and the second support member. The tube is connected with a lower surface of the first support member. Further, the tube extends through the second support member and receives lines for applying power to the electrode and the heater.

Abstract: A panel gripping jig for gripping a panel, regardless of the size and shape of the panel, includes a welding unit for temporarily holding the panel. A separation unit releases the coupling state of the panel and the welding unit. A mounting arm has the welding unit mounted thereon, moves the welding unit in a longitudinal direction thereof, and has a connection part to connect the mounting arm to a working robot. A displacement unit adjusts the position of the welding unit on the mounting arm. A control board outputs control signals to operate the welding unit, the separation unit, and the displacement unit according to a user input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a stringer are provided. The stringer generally includes a web having a desired corrugated configuration and first and second flanges welded to opposite edges of the web. The apparatus includes a support structure, a strongback that is supported by the support structure, and a plurality of dies that are adjustable relative to the strongback. The strongback defines a corrugated contour surface corresponding to the desired corrugated configuration of the web. The dies define corresponding forming surfaces and are configured to be advanced toward the strongback to thereby form the web to the desired corrugated configuration between the contour surface of the strongback and the forming surfaces of the dies. Further, the apparatus can receive the flanges of the stringer in a predetermined configuration with the web so that the flanges can be welded to the web while the web is supported by the strongback and dies in the desired corrugated configuration.

Abstract: A roof panel (31) is pre-set on the left and right side members (4) fixed to an underbody of a car. A roof panel spot welding station (7) includes a pair of frames (34) and two joisted-locating jigs (35, 36) bridging the frames. Each of the joisted-locating jigs is furnished with a clamp mechanism for holding the roof panel. The roof panel is located to the side members by the locating jigs, and spot-welded to the side members.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a laser dicing sheet which is capable of preventing cutting of dicing sheet by laser beam, damage of the chuck table and fusion of the dicing sheet to the chuck table. A laser dicing sheet according to the present invention comprising a base material comprising a polyurethane acrylate; and an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or process for applying a weld overlay to a nozzle or piping spool of complex configuration is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the welding apparatus comprises a mounting assembly having a plurality of magnetic foot pads, a tension support rod attached at one end to one of the magnetic foot pads, an upper attachment pad at the opposite end of the rod, and a bottom attachment pad attached to at least one other magnetic foot pad; a travel guide, the travel guide attached to the upper attachment pad at one end and the bottom attachment pad at the other end; and a head assembly attached to the travel guide, the head assembly having: i) a track ring assembly having an inner ring and an outer ring, ii.) at least two opposed weld heads attached to the inner track ring, iii.) at least one movable wire feed drive mechanism on the track ring, and iv.

Abstract: A composite locating pin adapted for interconnection with a welding apparatus, securing a plurality of workpieces in a fixed relative condition, and resisting slag adhesion, deformation and pin failure, during a welding cycle, includes, in a preferred embodiment, a removable pin body formed of a technical ceramic, a pin post formed of a steel alloy, and an adhesive layer intermediate the body and post, wherein the body and post are cooperatively configured so as to be removably yet securely interfitted in an assembled condition, and the layer is configured so as to further secure the pin in the assembled condition.

Abstract: A purge gas introduction system for an orbital tube welding setup is provided, configured to inject high purity inert purge gas to the interior volume of a tube or tubular component. An o-ring is interposed between an annular base and an annular ring, their junction forming an annular o-ring groove, each part forming one sidewall, with the o-ring fully recessed within the groove, protecting the o-ring during the insertion and removal of a tube. The annular base and an annular ring are configured to receive a tube terminus. The sidewalls of the o-ring groove are divergent one to the other, wherein as the annular ring is drawn towards the annular base, the o-ring is forced partially out of the groove, forming a substantially leak tight seal between the tube and the o-ring. A purge gas from an external source is transmitted to the annular base through a purge connector, then, in turn, introduced to the interior volume of the tube.

Abstract: A system and method for welding spliced vertical columns with an electroslag welding system. The system includes a welding fixture having opposing, paired and positionally adjustable welding shoes, run-off tabs, and sumps affixed at the junction of columns to be spliced. A distributed control electroslag welding system, welding torch, and consumable guide tube oscillator feed provide molten flux within the shoes filling from the sump to the run-off tab.