Abstract: An industrial robot including a movable robot arm for supporting a tool, and a control unit configured to control the movement of the robot. The control unit is provided with an alignment function for aligning the tool with at least one specified axis. The control unit is configured to supervise the movement of the robot, and to automatically adjust the orientation of the tool so that the tool is aligned with the specified axis upon detecting that the movement of the robot has been stopped and the alignment function is activated. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the industrial robot, and to the use of the method for teaching a robot a path including a plurality of target points by lead-through programming.

Abstract: A spot welding apparatus which performs spot welding of a plurality of plate materials which are lapped to each other, comprises a displacement driving unit which displaces lapped portions of the plurality of plate materials and a tool relatively to each other; a rotation driving unit which rotates the tool; and a controller which controls the displacement driving unit and the rotation driving unit so that the tool is plunged into the lapped portions in a state in which the tool is rotated to perform friction stir spot welding. The controller controls the displacement driving unit so that at least one friction stir spot weld is formed in a region of the lapped portions which is between a plurality of resistance spot welds formed by resistance spot welding.

Abstract: A resistance soldering apparatus suited for soldering an electrical terminal to a glass surface and a method of using such an apparatus is described herein. The resistance soldering apparatus includes an electrode having a distal tip and an electrical terminal having a first major surface in which an indentation is defined and a second major surface opposite the first major surface on which a layer of a solder composition is disposed. The indentation is configured to receive the distal tip of the electrode. The distal tip of the electrode is placed within the indentation and an electrical current is passed through the electrode and the electrical terminal, The electrical current is sufficient to heat the electrode and melt the solder composition on the second major surface.

Abstract: A cutting tool that can simultaneously cut and restore asymmetric weld face geometries of two welding electrodes that are subject to different degradation mechanisms is disclosed along with a method of using such a cutting tool during resistance spot welding of workpiece stack-ups that include dissimilar metal workpieces. The cutting tool includes a first cutting socket and a second cutting socket. The first cutting socket is defined by one or more first shearing surfaces and the second cutting is defined by one or more second shearing surfaces. The first shearing surface(s) and the second shearing surface(s) are profiled to cut and restore a first weld face geometry and a second weld face geometry, respectively, that are different from each other upon receipt of electrode weld faces within the cutting sockets and rotation of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A welding device for joining components by resistance welding includes a pair of electrodes which can introduce an electrode force and an electrical welding current IS1 into the components, at least one further pair of electrodes which can introduce an electrode force and a further electrical welding current IS2 into the components, a power source which can generate the electrode forces, a coupling link which is mechanically connected between the power source and the pairs of electrodes and which can divide a total electrode force that can be generated by the power source into the electrode force and the further electrode force.

Abstract: A twin spot welding apparatus includes a fixed welder in a fixed frame on a top of which a mounting unit of a robot arm is integrally formed, a guide plate mounted on the fixed frame, an angle control plate movably installed in the guide plate, a servo actuator mounted on the fixed frame to move the angle control plate on the guide plate, and a moving welder formed so that a slope of the moving welder may be controlled by an angle control unit on the angle control plate and formed in a moving frame so that, when the servo actuator and the angle control unit are operated, movement from the fixed welder and the slope of the moving welder are controlled so that a pitch and a slope between welding points of the fixed welder and the moving welder vary.

Abstract: A spot welding apparatus according to is provided that includes an upper and lower moving unit, an upper welding gun, a left and right moving unit and a lower welding gun. In particular, the upper and lower moving unit includes a slide block that is provided at one side of an arm of a robot to move vertically by actuation of an actuator. The upper welding gun is mounted on the slide block and the left and right moving unit is installed at one side of the upper welding gun to horizontally move the upper welding gun by actuation of the actuator. Additionally, the lower welding gun is mounted to correspond to a lower side of the upper welding gun.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy (“aluminum”) workpiece together includes several steps. One step involves providing a workpiece stack-up with a steel workpiece and an aluminum workpiece. Another step involves attaching a cover over a weld face of a welding electrode. The cover is made of a metal material with an electrical resistivity that is greater than an electrical resistivity of a material of the welding electrode. Yet another step involves performing multiple individual resistance spot welds to the workpiece stack-up. The cover abuts the aluminum workpiece while the individual resistance spot welds are performed. And another step involves removing the cover from the welding electrode after the individual spot welds are performed.

Abstract: A spot welding apparatus may include a fixed welding machine coupled to a fixing frame having a mounting portion mounted on an arm of a robot, a guide plate mounted on the fixing frame, one or more moving welding machines mounted to be selectively and slidingly movable along a longitudinal direction of the guide plate, and an operating unit configured to selectively move the moving welding machine.

Abstract: A method of welding panels overlapping each other includes a one-directional clamping step that performs one-directional clamping by positioning electrodes of a pair of one-directional spot welding guns with respect to an upper panel and a lower panel overlapping each other, a pressure welding step that forms a plurality of pressure welding portions in a zero gap status by pressure-welding the upper panel to the lower panel in a temporary welding status, by pressing and supplying electricity to the upper panel with the electrodes of the one-directional spot welding guns, plasma spot step that forms a molten portion between the pressure welding portions by performing plasma welding on the pressure welding portions with a plasma welding machine, and a cooling step that forms a welded portion by overlapping the pressure welding portions and the molten portion between the upper panel and the lower panel by cooling the molten portion.

Abstract: A twin spot welding apparatus includes a fixed welder in a fixed frame on a top of which a mounting unit of a robot arm is integrally formed, a guide plate mounted on the fixed frame, an angle control plate movably installed in the guide plate, a servo actuator mounted on the fixed frame to move the angle control plate on the guide plate, and a moving welder formed so that a slope of the moving welder may be controlled by an angle control unit on the angle control plate and formed in a moving frame so that, when the servo actuator and the angle control unit are operated, movement from the fixed welder and the slope of the moving welder are controlled so that a pitch and a slope between welding points of the fixed welder and the moving welder vary.

Abstract: A stent assembly (20) includes a stent (22) and a fiber mesh sleeve (24) covering the stent. A wire (28) runs along the stent over the sleeve and fastened to the stent at multiple points (30) so as to attach the sleeve to the stent.

Abstract: A spot welding system including spot welding gun having a movable electrode driven by a servo motor, a counter electrode arranged facing it and with a multiarticulated robot, holding one of the welding workpiece and spot welding gun which moves welding workpiece and spot welding gun relative to each other and thereby make the movable electrode and the welding workpiece approach each other from a separated state or vice-versa, monitoring the current or torque of the servo motor, and detecting the surface position of the welding workpiece from the position of the movable electrode and the position of the multiarticulated robot when the trend of the current or torque changes. The precision of detection of the surface position of the welding workpiece by a movable electrode in a spot welding system can now be improved without lengthening the time required for detection of the surface position of the welding workpiece.

Abstract: A method for welding a plurality of aluminum to aluminum welds and a plurality of steel to steel welds using the same welder includes providing a resistance spot welder with a pair of weld electrodes having an electrode face radius of curvature in the range between 20 mm and 40 mm. The series of aluminum to aluminum welds is first made, and then, after completing the aluminum to aluminum welds, the series of steel to steel welds are made. After completing the steel to steel welds the weld electrodes are cleaned by an abrasive to remove any buildup or contamination of aluminum on the electrodes. In the event the electrodes have mushroomed, then dressing of the electrodes is provided and then the abrasive cleaning is performed to restore the surface texture.

Abstract: A projection welding apparatus comprising a first electrode; a second electrode, a first and a second plate members to be welded are provided between the first and second electrodes, the second plate member includes a facing portion and an extension portion extending from the facing portion towards the first plate member and an end face of the extension portion abuts with welding projections provided on the first plate member; a pressing unit causing the second electrode to approach the first electrode, and presses the end face of the extension portion against the welding projections via the second electrode; a voltage application unit causing current to flow in the both plate members; and a stopper member, disposed between the first electrode and the facing portion, is contacted against the facing portion, and electrically connects the facing portion and the first electrode so as to bypass the first plate member.

Abstract: In order to evaluate the welding current for the resistance seam welding of an overlap seam of container bodies, a welding with changing welding current intensity is carried out for a container body of the production series, resulting in a changing welding of the seam, ranging from the welding with a too high temperature to the welding with a too low temperature. The electric energy for this welding is determined several times during this welding and/or the temperature of the weld seam is determined several times and the welding current intensity is determined at which the welding of the individual container body is too cold and the welding current intensity at which the welding is too hot. This determination is based on the determined electric energy values and/or on the determined temperature values and based on this determination a preferred range for the welding current intensity within these limits of too hot and too cold is determined.

Abstract: A multiple welding gun system includes a plurality of welding guns, simultaneously performing welding operations, mounted to a robot arm of a welding robot and a pitch changing device as a space adjusting device disposed between the plurality of welding guns. The pitch changing device is configured to change a gun pitch so as to adjust a space between the welding guns by rotating one of the welding guns relative to other one of the welding guns to thereby move the welding guns closer to or separate from each other.

Abstract: A plurality linkages, preferably a robot holding either a spot welder with welding guns or the workpiece. The plurality of linkages move a spot welder with open tongs toward a first spot weld position. The welding guns are then closed on the workpiece and welding is performed at the first spot weld position. While the welding is being performed, parts of the plurality of linkages are advanced toward a second weld position while the welding guns remained closed at the first spot weld position. When the welding at the first position is finished, parts of the linkages are already advanced towards the second position, and the remaining linkages are then advanced to the second position. This allows the linkages or robot to move faster from one spot weld position to another.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a component with an insert made of a composite is disclosed. The composite includes a metal matrix, within which ceramic fibers extend. The insert is made of a composite which is obtained from a plurality of coated filaments, each filament includes a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath. The process includes winding a bundle or bonded sheet of coated filaments around a body of revolution perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said body. The insert is then subjected to a hot isostatic pressing step in a container. The process is applied to the manufacture of aeronautical turbomachine components.

Abstract: A multiple welding gun system includes a plurality of welding guns, simultaneously performing welding operations, mounted to a robot arm of a welding robot and a pitch changing device as a space adjusting device disposed between the plurality of welding guns. The pitch changing device is configured to change a gun pitch so as to adjust a space between the welding guns by rotating one of the welding guns relative to other one of the welding guns to thereby move the welding guns closer to or separate from each other.

Abstract: A welder for a metal rolling system, which is disposed in the metal rolling system and is configured to perform spot-welding on a product strip, includes a back bar disposed below the pass line and welding guns disposed above the pass line to perform series welding for welding a plurality of points at one time.

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: A system, method and software product for modeling spot welds in a finite element analysis is described. The spots welds are represented by beam elements or solid elements in accordance with an indicator flag. The flag may also be specified as the number (e.g., an integer such as 1, 4, 8 or 16) of solid elements in a cluster representing spot weld. The solid elements may include, but not limited to, hexahedron, tetrahedron, and the likes. The number of solid elements and required nodes are generated for each spot weld based on the indicator flag. A table is formed to group the generated solid elements in a cluster together, so that the force and moment resultants of the spot weld can be computed and assembled in a file.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for resource reallocation based on ambient condition data is disclosed herein. The system includes a planning module (102) for configuring plan data to include a primary sequence and an auxiliary sequence, a rule table (116) for storing the auxiliary sequence, an ambient condition receiver (124) for receiving the ambient condition data, and a routing processor (126) for accessing the rule table (116) to allocate an auxiliary sequence in place of a primary sequence in the event that particular ambient data is received.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a bonded sheet with a plurality of coated filaments, which include a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath, includes placing the filaments beside one another in one and the same plane, and welding the filaments together by laser spot welding.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tubular component with an insert made of a metal matrix composite, within which ceramic fibers extend, includes a draping step, in which a bonded sheet of coated filaments is draped around a metal mandrel. Each filament includes a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath, and the filaments are bonded by spot welds.

Abstract: A self-contained, or externally actuated, hydraulic log splitter which includes a frame on which is slidably mounted an assembly of a specially designed push plate secured at one end to a reversible hydraulic cylinder and at the other to a splitting table carrying logs which is pushed against a straight blade to split the logs. A plurality of lines of discrete nubs are integrally a part of the push plate along a majority of its entire height and positioned substantially parallel to the straight blade and spaced away from the edge of the push plate. These nubs to provide specialized and improved gripping of log segments as they are split thereby minimizing the tendency of the split log segments to fly away from the splitter. An electric or gas engine driving an hydraulic pump or the hydraulic system of a tractor is connected to drive the reversible hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A panel, such as a fence panel, is assembled by a projection welding process from a plurality of upright members and a plurality of rails. The rails and upright members are first assembled into a flat panel framework, which is introduced into a welding area having multiple welding stations arrayed in a series of rows. Paired welding stations in adjacent odd- and even-numbered rows are positioned on opposite sides of the panel framework. Each welding station is characterized by at least two laterally spaced electrodes of opposite polarity, both situated on the same side of the panel framework. One electrode contacts an underlying rail, while the other electrode contacts an underlying upright member. A welding current transmitted between the electrodes causes an internal weld to form between the upright member and the rail at a projection within the rail channel.

Abstract: Method of welding a metal sheet and metal tubing as well as a welded sheet-to-tube welded structure wherein the tube-to-sheet gage ratio may be reduced to permit use of metal tubing having a reduced wall thickness. One or more intermediate metal bridging members is/are first welded to a metal tube using a relatively rapid welding process that reduces heat input and residual tensile stress imparted to the tube. A metallic sheet then is spot welded directly to the one or more bridging members, rather than to the metallic tube, to form a welded sheet-to-tube structure.

Abstract: A welding assembly including a welding gun for providing spaced welds on opposite sides of members being welded. The welding gun includes two welding tips so that both welds can be formed without moving the gun or the members relative to each other. Preferably one weld tip is connected to a force applying mechanism such as a hydraulic cylinder to clamp the members together and improve the connection between the weld tips and the members. The weld gun can be used for making one or two welds while in the engaged position around the members being welded. Also, one of the weld tips can be replaced with a support that merely provides the force applying function.

Abstract: A barrier such as a fence is formed by welding conductive upright members to conductive U-shaped rails by a projection resistance welding process. The rail includes at least one weld-forming region which projects within the rail channel, and may be formed within as a ridge, or as a longitudinally spaced series of nipple-shaped projections. The upright member is transversely positioned within the rail channel in contact with the weld-forming region. A welding current transmitted between the upright member and the rail causes the weld-forming region to at least partially melt and form a weld within the rail channel.

Abstract: An automatically weld locating system locates welds on a subassembly including first and second components. First and second finite element analysis models of the first and second components are retrieved. Edges of the first component are located. An outline of the first component is translated in a direction that is normal to its edge in its plane within a predetermined edge distance. A line segment of the first component is retrieved. Welds are created on the line segment with a predetermined maximum spacing and with a predetermined weld tolerance. The retrieving, determining and creating steps are repeated for additional line segments of the first component. The line segments of the second component are also processed. Welds that are within a predetermined minimum spacing are deleted.

Abstract: A servo spot welding control system and method to efficiently weld a pair of workpieces together. The system includes a robot movable about the workpieces, a weld gun, servomotors, a transformer, and a controller. The weld gun is mounted on the robot and includes at least two pairs of electrodes. Each pair of electrodes includes a stationary electrode and a moveable electrode. The servomotors are operatively connected to the movable electrodes. The controller actuates the robot to move the robot into position. The controller also actuates the servomotors to clamp the workpieces and to selectively sequence electric current from the transformer to form multiple spot welds on the workpieces.

Abstract: A servo spot welding control system and method to efficiently weld a pair of workpieces together. The system includes a robot movable about the workpieces, a weld gun, servomotors, a transformer, and a controller. The weld gun is mounted on the robot and includes at least two pairs of electrodes. Each pair of electrodes includes a stationary electrode and a moveable electrode. The servomotors are operatively connected to the movable electrodes. The controller actuates the robot to move the robot into position. The controller also actuates the servomotors to clamp the workpieces and to selectively sequence electric current from the transformer to form multiple spot welds on the workpieces.

Abstract: A pogo welding apparatus especially for spot welding metal sheets at selected locations spaced away from their edges wherein the sheets are held in a temporary assembly with the selected locations engaged and separate programmable positioners move a primary (pogo) electrode and a backup electrode sequentially against opposite sides of the selected locations to spot weld the sheets at the selected locations in sequence. Various alternative programmable positioners, including robots of varying types, may be used to carry the electrodes. A multi head back-up electrode is adapted for efficient use of the apparatus and method in difficult to reach workpiece locations.

Abstract: A multiple arm weld includes at least two weld gun arms where one arm retracts away from mating work pieces while at least one other arm remains operational, thus allowing a multiple arm weld gun to act as a single arm weld gun. Once one or more weld gun arms is retracted, the remaining weld gun arms may be repositioned with respect to the work pieces in a space not previously accessible to the multiple arm weld gun before retraction of an arm.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is disclosed for manufacturing a cell of a recuperator. The cell includes a plurality of primary surface sheets, a plurality of spacer bars and a pair of guide vanes. A fixture has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion is pivotably movable between an open or loading position and a closed or welding position. A plurality of the spacer bars, plurality of primary surface sheets and a pair of guide vanes are positioned in the fixture in a preestablished relationship and are fixedly attached one to another by a tack welding machine. A controller operative controls the tack welding machine.

Abstract: A technique for resistance welding an attachment such as a collar or base ring to a tank head section by causing welding current to flow through weld protrusions disposed on the attachment and which are pressed against the tank section. Electrodes are contacted to the attachment and the tank section in such a manner to provide for substantially equal welding current paths through the protrusions.

Abstract: A pogo welding apparatus especially for spot welding metal sheets at selected locations spaced away from their edges wherein the sheets are held in a temporary assembly with the selected locations engaged and separate programmable positioners move a primary (pogo) electrode and a backup electrode sequentially against opposite sides of the selected locations to spot weld the sheets at the selected locations in sequence. Various alternative programmable positioners, including robots of varying types, may be used to carry the electrodes.

Abstract: A welding apparatus provided with lower electrode portions, upper electrode portions, and a cooling water circulation duct which circulates and supplies cooling water to welding electrode pressurizing cylinder guns on the upper electrode portions. A check valve is disposed on an upstream side to the cylinder guns in the cooling water circulation duct. Further, a booster is disposed on a downstream side to the cylinder guns in the cooling water circulation duct, and the cylinder guns are extended for welding by pressurizing the cooling water in the duct from the booster to the check valve through the cylinder guns.

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 welding apparatus provided with a base frame having a power source portion, an electrode die portion having a lower base portion and an upper base portion at least one of which is driven to ascend and descend to close to and part from each other, plural lower electrode portions attached to the lower base portion, and plural upper electrode portions attached to the upper base portion. Further, a lower contact conductor which electrically connects the lower electrode portions to the power source portion intermittently, and an upper contact conductor which electrically connects the upper electrode portions to the power source portion intermittently, are provided to the base frame side.

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.

Abstract: A cylinder head gasket 1 includes a shim ring 5 which surrounds a combustion chamber opening 2A in a gasket body 2. The shim ring is circumferentially spot welded along weld lines 5a, 5b. The weld spacing of the spot welding is varied to provide zones H.sub.1, H.sub.2 and H.sub.3 of high welding density and zone of a low welding density. The weld spacing in the zone of high welding density is such that a distortion in the shim ring is produced under the influence of heat generated during the welding operation if the weld spacing is used around the full circumference of the shim ring for spot welding. However, by interposing a zone of a low welding density, a distortion in the shim ring can be prevented while increasing the welding strength.

Abstract: In a process for marking industrial products or parts, a plurality of spot welds serve as carriers of characterizing information, especially in encoded information. Information is encoded in said spot welds by varying the position of each weld relative to a reference position.

Abstract: A welding gun includes an actuator and welding tips. The actuator includes a stator coupled to a welding robot and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator about an axis of the actuator. The stator includes an axially extending portion and at least one circumferentially extending arm. The rotor includes an axially extending portion and at least one circumferentially extending arm. The welding tips are coupled to an end of the circumferentially extending arm of the stator and an end of the circumferentially extending arm of the rotor. Lengths of the axially extending portion of the stator and the axially extending portion of the rotor can be determined to any length so long as strength and rigidity are assured.

Abstract: A spot welding head comprises a spot electrode 6, a spot electrode supporter 3 holding the electrode 6 on its tip, a base member 2 holding the supporter 3 in such a manner that the supporter 3 can swing on a first pin 4, a frame 1 holding the base member 2 in such a manner that the member 2 can swing on a pivot pin 14 as a second pin, a guide 17 for guiding the base member 2 relative to the frame 1 in such a manner that the member 2 can slide longitudinally, a first actuator 5 connected at its one end to the supporter 3 for swinging the supporter 3 relative to the base member 2 when a steel strap is spot-welded, and a second actuator 9 connected at its one end to the frame 1 and at its other end to the base member 2 for swinging or sliding the member 2 relative to the frame.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a metal gasket for sealing a clearance between a pair of clamping members. The metal gasket is formed of a metallic base plate on which at least one opening is defined. An annular metallic shim is welded on the base plate around the opening thereof. The annular metallic shim is disposed around the opening, and welded on the base plate by spot welding, forming a plurality of nuggets in series around the shim in such a manner that two adjacent nuggets overlaps each other and a space between those two nuggets is smaller than a diameter of each nugget.

Abstract: An orthodontic assembly that includes a band and an attachment has one or more spot welds to secure the band to the attachment. The spot welds are characterized by the lack of any outer surface weld deformation that is circular in shape, or that is visible to the naked eye when viewed at a distance of twenty-four inches. Apparatus for welding the attachment to the band includes a subframe that is swingable in an arc to follow the inner contour of the band in order to provide automated welding on mesial and distal sides of the attachment.

Abstract: A battery pack (30) is assembled with a flexible circuit board (38), a first tab (40), and a second tab (42). The flexible circuit board (38) has an exposed area of isolated conductor (46) which is located directly under the intersection of the first tab (40) and the second tab (42), a point where the two are resistance welded together (44). When a weld current is applied at this point (44), the isolated conductor area (46) acts as a current sink such that current flows primarily through the second (lower) tab (42). This method allows both tabs or elements to be of the same or similar thickness and electrical properties, and facilitates automated battery pack assembly.