Abstract: A system for connecting photovoltaic cells is disclosed. The system comprises a flexible component feeder source for feeding the photovoltaic cells to a process that couples them together; a vacuum conveyor for receiving at a first location the coupled photovoltaic cells and including openings through which a vacuum is applied to hold the coupled photovoltaic cells in place; a moving belt above the vacuum conveyor at a second location, where the vacuum conveyor and the moving belt are driven in a predetermined relation to one another for conveying the coupled photovoltaic cells from the first location to the second location; a vacuum source for applying a vacuum through the openings to cause the moving belt to apply a pressure to an upper surface of the coupled photovoltaic cells to compress the coupled photovoltaic cells; and a curing source at the second location for curing the compressed coupled photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A mechanism to attach a die to a substrate and method of use are disclosed. The vacuum carrier includes a frame composed of material compatible with solder reflow process. The vacuum carrier further includes a vacuum port extending from a top surface to an underside surface of the frame. The vacuum carrier further includes a seal mechanism provided about a perimeter on the underside surface of the frame of the vacuum carrier. The frame and seal mechanism are structured to maintain a flatness of a die attached to the vacuum carrier by a vacuum source during the solder reflow process.

Abstract: A welding method including the steps of: providing, in a first position, a weld target assembly having a welding region and a weld tab located adjacent the welding region, the weld tab changeable from a first physical configuration to a second physical configuration when subject to a first type of weld operation; performing a first weld process on the welding region and weld tab; moving the assembly from the first to a second position; providing safeguard apparatus for cooperating with the weld tab to: prevent the assembly from moving to the second position when the first weld procedure did not include the first type of weld operation; and permit the assembly be moved to the second position when the first weld procedure included the first type of weld operation. The assembly includes a sub-assembly having a foot member and blade portion welded together, thereby ultimately forming an output guide vane.

Abstract: Provided is a welding apparatus by which a worker can work in a comfortable posture, with which a space can be effectively utilized at a low cost, and which can reliably weld workpieces. Specifically, a pair of jigs are circumferentially provided on the upper surface of a circular rotating table around its outer circumference at intervals, and positions workpieces such that orientations of the workpieces are changeable. A welding robot is provided in a workpiece welded region. A control board outputs an operation signal to the rotating table such that the jigs respectively move into a workpiece set region and the workpiece welded region, and outputs an operation signal to the respective jigs such that the jig in the workpiece set region is inclined toward a side closer to the worker and the jig in the workpiece welded region is inclined according to welded parts of the workpieces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an LED light bar comprises: providing a reflow oven and a clamping device mounted on a transmitting belt of the reflow oven, the reflow oven comprising a heating area and a cooling area; providing a semi-finished LED light bar comprising a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs arranged on the print circuit board with solder paste applied between the LEDs and the printed circuit board, and mounting the semi-finished LED light bar in the clamping device; and starting the reflow oven and thus the transmitting belt carrying the clamping device and the semi-finished LED light bar moving together to pass through the reflow oven, whereby the solder paste is firstly melted in the heating area and then solidified in the cooling area to fix the LEDs on the printed circuit board to form the LED light bar.

Abstract: A clamping module for a pipe line-up system uses bell crank linkages to transmit pipe alignment and clamping forces between radially moving clamping feet and a central axially moving driving head. The clamping feet are arranged in axially spaced sets to internally engage two pipe sections to be welded independently on either side of a weld zone between the pipe sections, with welding shoes in between the clamping feet and spanning the weld zone. The bell crank linkages provide a force multiplier between the driving heads and the clamping feet.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for manufacturing bearing assemblies. In accordance with one embodiment, a fixture is provided for use in brazing bearing elements to a bearing ring. The fixture comprises a substantially annular body and at least one or more force-applying mechanism associated with the annular body. The force applying mechanisms include a push rod disposed within a channel that is formed in the annular body, the push rod being displaceable within the channel. A biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a radial direction relative to the annular body. In one embodiment, a plurality of force-applying mechanisms are circumferentially spaced about the substantially annular body. In one embodiment, the push rods extend radially inwardly from a peripheral surface of the body, while in another embodiment the push rods extend radially outwardly from peripheral surface of the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for building cylindrical structures, preferably made of metal, on the basis of the construction methods referred to as “a method which begins the assembly by the top structure”, which provides high levels of safety in the various steps to be carried out. The method uses a shaping device for shell sheets, at least one stationary cabin for vertically aligning and welding sheets, movable cabins for horizontally welding the inside and outside, and supporting base devices which in combination provide a safe and comfortable working environment for the operators, as well as greater speed and finish quality for the tank to be built, even under harsh weather conditions.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor substrate manufacturing apparatus and a substrate treating method, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for performing a reflow treating process on a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus treating apparatus includes a load port on which a carrier accommodating a substrate is seated, a substrate treating module including one reflow treating unit or a plurality of reflow treating units for performing a reflow process on the substrate, and a substrate transfer module disposed between the load port and the substrate treating module. The substrate transfer module includes a transfer robot transferring the substrate among the load port, the substrate treating module, and a cleaning unit.

Abstract: A reflow furnace (1) has a decompression chamber (5), and air bubbles contained in a molten solder on a substrate (7) are removed in this decompression chamber (5). The substrate (7) supported on a first conveying rail (8) is fed into the decompression chamber (5) by a first conveyance rod (18). The substrate (7) in the decompression chamber (5) is taken out by a second conveyance rod (32) and is conveyed to the exit of the reflow furnace (1) while being supported on the second conveying rail (9). Before the treatment of substrates (7) having different widths, the width of the first conveying rail (8) and the width of the second conveying rail (9) are adjusted. During this adjustment, the second conveyance rod (32) is displaced in the width direction of the substrate (7), with the second conveyance rod (32) kept in the decompression chamber (5), and in association with this, the spacing between right and left rail portions (12a, 12a) in the decompression chamber (5) is adjusted.

Abstract: A beam includes at least three web plates that are connected to a bottom flange and top flange.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a vascular device for treating a vessel includes an elongate strand and a plurality of bulbs coupled to the elongate strand. The elongate strand may extend through each of the plurality of bulbs. The mandrel may include first and second elongate strands each including a plurality of bulbs. The first and second elongate strands may be separable at an intermediate portion coupling the first and second elongate strands. A vascular device manufactured utilizing the mandrel may be configured to treat a vessel.

Abstract: In some examples, an electrode plate K is conveyed to a gap 230 of a pair of stacking drums 210 and 220 with a conveying section 100. In synchronization with conveyance of the electrode plate K, the drums 210 and 220 feed a pair of separators S each formed into a predetermined shape with the separators S adhering to corresponding peripheral surfaces of the pair of drums 210 and 220. While feeding the electrode plate K forward in a generally horizontal manner, the separators S are sequentially stacked on both surfaces of the electrode plate K in synchronized with rotations of the drums 210 and 220, and both edge portions of the separators S are welded.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal sheet with a welded-on tube which has at least partially curved sections, wherein the tube is guided by at least one guide element onto the sheet, is pressed thereon with at least one pressure element and is welded thereto at least at some points and wherein the tube is bent to form the curved sections. In order to achieve the welding-on in a simple manner even in the curved sections, it is provided that a bending is carried out in a plurality of discrete steps, wherein in individual steps firstly the tube with the at least one guide element is bent around a last created welding point and thereafter a new welding point is created. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a side panel of a vehicle, the system including upper running rails and lower running rails to provide a movement path of a cart, the cart having a support frame, a transfer roller, and a friction bar provided at a bottom surface of the support frame, wherein the side panel may be mounted on the cart and the cart moves selectively along the upper running rails and the lower running rails, at least a friction drive unit and at least a friction wheel disposed along the upper and lower running rails wherein the at least a friction drive selectively rotates the at least a friction wheel to move the cart by selectively engaging at least one of the friction wheels with the friction bar of the cart, and an external unit supporting an edge portion of the side panel during key welding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.

Abstract: A fetching mechanism includes a support base, a fetching member positioned on the support base and an adsorbing assembly. The adsorbing assembly is positioned on the support base and is spaced from the fetching member. The adsorbing assembly includes a driving member positioned on the support base and an adsorbing member driven by the driving member. The fetching member fetches one welding member, the adsorbing member is driven by the driving member to extend out and adsorbs the workpiece, and the adsorbing member is driven to drawback until each welding member attaches the workpiece. The application also supplies an automatic welding system using the fetching mechanism.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle floor production system, in which a carrier is moved through a loop formed by a return line provided at the top of the system and a welding line provided at the bottom, and the carrier is horizontally moved by the frictional force of a horizontal movement driving means. Preferred systems can reduce the manufacturing cost and required installation area.

Abstract: An automated brazing system by which an apparatus is conveyed along a path defined through a brazing zone is provided and includes first and second sets of burners disposed within the brazing zone at first and second opposing sides of the path, respectively, to heat the components of the apparatus substantially uniformly at the first and second sides and to heat the components of the apparatus substantially uniformly along the brazing zone, such that each side of each of the components is heated to a substantially similar temperature as each side of each of the other components.

Abstract: A palletized framing system for a motor vehicle body assembly system in which the pallet with a body structure positioned thereon is positioned at the framing station on balls to establish the vertical Z dimension with the pallet free to float on the balls in longitudinal X and lateral Y dimensions, whereafter positioners carried by one of the gates of the framing station engage and lock onto the pallet to precisely position the pallet and the body structure at the framing station at X and Y dimensions corresponding to the precisely attainable X and Y positioning of the gate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic ribbon bonding system is provided. The ultrasonic ribbon bonding system includes a workholder for supporting a workpiece during a ribbon bonding operation. The workholder defines a first plurality of standoffs extending above a surface of the workholder, the first plurality of standoffs configured to contact the workpiece during the ribbon bonding operation. The ultrasonic ribbon bonding system also includes a bond head assembly carrying a ribbon bonding tool, the ribbon bonding tool being configured to bond a ribbon to the workpiece during the ribbon bonding operation.

Abstract: A method of room-temperature bonding a plurality of substrates via an intermediate member, includes: forming the intermediate member on a surface to be bonded of the substrate by physically sputtering a plurality of targets; and activating the surface to be bonded by an ion beam. In this case, it is preferable that the target composed of a plurality of types of materials is physically sputtered. Since the materials of the intermediate member are sputtered from the plurality of targets arranged in various directions from the surface to be bonded of the substrate, the intermediate member can be uniformly formed on the surface to be bonded. Further, since the intermediate member is composed of the plurality of types of materials, the room-temperature bonding of substrates difficult to bond together when an intermediate member is composed of a single type of material can be performed without heating and excessively pressing the substrates during bonding.

Abstract: A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.

Abstract: A flip chip assembly apparatus includes at least one warpage-suppressor assembly. Each warpage-suppressor assembly can include a side heater, a deformable material pad, and an actuator assembly for moving the side heater and the deformable material pad. Each side heater provides additional heat to peripheral solder balls during bonding of two substrates, thereby facilitating the reflow of the peripheral solder balls. Each deformable material pad contacts, and presses down on, a surface of one of the two substrates under bonding. The deformable material pad(s) can prevent or minimize warpage of the contacted substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is formed for expanding elongated, ribbon-shaped metal elements moving in the longitudinal direction and suitable for forming open section elements such as upright sections or plaster sections or closed section elements such as passages or pipes, the apparatus includes a feed station, a cutting station, a positioning station and a connection station, with the feed station being formed for the at least substantial continuous feed of at least one metal element to the cutting station. The cutting station is formed for producing at least one continuous meandering incision which extends in the longitudinal direction of the at least one metal element and by which at least two longitudinal portions of the at least one metal element having meandering longitudinal edges are produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for bonding a semiconductor chip to a packaging substrate while minimizing the variation in the solder ball heights and controlling the stress in the solder balls and the stress in the packaging substrate. During the solder reflow, the warp of the packaging substrate, including the absolute warp, thermal warp, and substrate to substrate variations of the warp, is constrained at a minimal level by providing a clamping constraint to the packaging substrate. During cool down of the solder balls, the stresses and strains of the solder joints are maintained at levels that do not cause tear of the solder joints or breakage of the packaging substrate by removing the clamping constraint. Thus, the bonding process provides both uniform solder height with minimized solder non-wets and stress minimization of the solder balls and the packaging substrate.

Abstract: An automatic soldering machine adapted for soldering cables with electronic products includes a main frame module, a man-machine control interface, a sliding tray located in front of the man-machine control interface, a loading tool slidably disposed in the sliding tray, a feeding module close to a bottom of the sliding tray, a removing module located between the man-machine control interface and a reforming module, a container, a loading tool combination module located above the sliding tray, a spraying module located in rear of the sliding tray, and a loading tool reflow module mounted on a rear of the main frame module. The man-machine control interface is connected with and controls the loading tool, the feeding module, the removing module, the reforming module, the loading tool combination module, the spraying module and the loading tool reflow module for realizing an automatic soldering process of the electronic products and the cables.

Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing apparatus is disclosed. The electronic device manufacturing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a support part, a moving part, and a heating part. The support part is located in the vacuum chamber and has a first placement surface on which a first member is to be placed. The moving part is located in the vacuum chamber and has a second placement surface on which a second member is to be placed. The moving part is movable between a first position where the first placement surface and the second placement surface do not face each other when seen in plan view and a second position where the first placement surface and the second placement surface face each other when seen in plan view. The heating part heats the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A palletized framing system for a motor vehicle body assembly system in which the pallet with a body structure positioned thereon is positioned at the framing station on balls to establish the vertical Z dimension with the pallet free to float on the balls in longitudinal X and lateral Y dimensions, whereafter positioners carried by one of the gates of the framing station engage and lock onto the pallet to precisely position the pallet and the body structure at the framing station at X and Y dimensions corresponding to the precisely attainable X and Y positioning of the gate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.

Abstract: The assembly is intended for application to manufacturing of tubes, bottles, boxes. Characterized by improved quality of the weld and low reject percentage. It has a mandrel (1), on which there is a head (3) and a tube body (2), put over in a typical manner, as well as a cooling element, coaxial with the mandrel (1), and a nozzle D, coaxial with the mandrel. Said nozzle contains two parts—internal 7 and external (8)—which form channel (9) for feeding heating gas HG. The assembly consists of only one work station. The cooling element is also forming element OFE and consists of cooling metal ring 4, located in forming metal ring (6). There is heat-insulating ring (5) between the latter and the cooling metal ring (4). In the position of heating, said heat-insulating ring (5) is positioned around the end of the tube body (2). The heat-insulating ring (5) is of solid-state material or gas of low thermal conduction.

Abstract: A manufacturing equipment for manufacturing an LED light bar includes a reflow oven and a clamping device. The LED light bar includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs arranged on the printed circuit board. The reflow oven includes a hearth box and a transmitting belt extended through the hearth box. The hearth box includes a heating area and a cooling area in an interior thereof. The clamping device is mounted on the transmitting belt. The clamping device defines a receiving space for receiving the LED light bar therein. The clamping device is changed between a clamping state for maintaining the LEDs in positions and a releasing state whereby the LED light bar can be removed from the clamping device.

Abstract: A mobile manufacturing platform is provided. The mobile manufacturing platform has a base, a cutting platform, and a welding platform. Additionally the mobile manufacturing platform has a rail system capable of moving the stock material in X, Y, Z coordinates around the platform. Stock material can be manufactured into a final desired piece at a building site by being cut on the cutting platform and then welded on the welding platform. A finishing station for painting and other finishing may also be added. The mobile manufacturing platform can be moved from building site to building site or wherever on-site manufacturing is preferred.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle guide for a combustor of a turbine engine includes an annular base with a hub section, the hub section at least partially formed of a Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) weld and a method and system therefor.

Abstract: A framing device (1) and a method are provided for connecting disk-type bodies (6) to a frame (5) by a manipulator (2). A joining device (4) is associated with the manipulator (2), for joining individual frame parts (8, 9, 10, 11) to the disk-type body. The manipulator (2) guides the disk-type body (6) and inserts it into the frame parts (8, 9, 10, 11) provided, the frame parts being pressed against the disk edge (7) at the same time or one after the other.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle floor production system, in which a carrier is moved through a loop formed by a return line provided at the top of the system and a welding line provided at the bottom, and the carrier is horizontally moved by the frictional force of a horizontal movement driving means. Preferred systems can reduce the manufacturing cost and required installation area.

Abstract: A mounting method includes: holding a component at a position off a gravity center of the component; pressing the component to a solder provided on a mount face of a substrate; and adding pressing force to an opposite position of the component across the gravity center from the position held in the pressing of the component toward the mount face, after the pressing of the component.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for conducting bonding on substrates comprises a first substrate holding device for clamping a first substrate during bonding and a second substrate holding device for clamping a second substrate during bonding. Each substrate holding device is operative to move sequentially between its respective onloading position for receiving substrates, bonding position whereat substrates are bonded and offloading position whereat bonded substrates are removed from the substrate holding device. A first actuator is operative to drive the first substrate holding device along a first feeding path from its onloading position to its bonding position and from its offloading position to its onloading position along a first return path. A second actuator is operative to drive the second substrate holding device along a second feeding path from its onloading position to its bonding position and from its offloading position to its onloading position along a second return path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing welded reinforcing steel rod mats for use in the production of DIN-conforming reinforced concrete components having primarily no static loads, and to such a reinforcing steel rod mat, uses a welding device, one or more reinforcing steel rods, and one or more stay braces in the case of uniaxial reinforcing steel mats, positioned relative to each other with position control and optionally with position correction of the reinforcing steel rods to be welded together, and a reinforcing steel rod is welded in the area of at least one of the ribs thereof to a stay brace, or to another reinforcing steel rod in the area of at least one of the ribs of the rod.

Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fixturing an airfoil stub during linear friction welding are described. Critical clamping support structures are manufactured by a direct digital manufacturing process such as direct metal laser sintering to minimize time and expense of the process.

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: A metal joining system having a first burner assembly configured to selectively heat a first zone and an assembly support at least partially vertically lower than at least a portion of the first heat zone and a first hood vertically above at least a portion of the assembly support.

Abstract: Provide is an apparatus for thermal melting processes that is capable of directly cooling the process object without requiring a separate cooling plate. The apparatus for thermal melting process according to the present invention is an apparatus 1 for thermal melting process that thermally melts objects 100 including solder in an atmosphere containing carbonic acid vapor, and the hand part 4 for carrying and transferring the thermally melted process objects 100 is used as a cooling plate as well.

Abstract: An automatic convey device adapted for pushing and grouping a plurality of connectors includes a frame assembly, a holding module and a feeding module disposed on the frame assembly respectively. The holding module has a plurality of positioning units for positioning the connectors. The feeding module includes a power unit, a sliding unit disposed on the frame assembly, a plurality of pushing units and a grouping unit mounted to the sliding unit respectively. The pushing units are capable of repeatedly pushing the respective connectors move forward until the connectors are positioned by the positioning units and then move backward for repeating the last action to push the next connectors forward. The grouping unit is capable of repeating the action of pushing forward the connector positioned by the forward positioning unit and capable of being controlled by the power unit to disconnect with or connect with and push the corresponding connectors.

Abstract: A method of producing a solar battery module. The method uses a producing apparatus having a positioning belt and a heating belt adjacent to each other such that an object can be delivered between the belts, and also having a pressing belt opposite the positioning belt and the heating belt, the pressing belt being provided so as to straddle the positioning belt and the heating belt. In the producing apparatus, the heating belt and the pressing belt are controlled to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An automatic soldering system includes a conveyance mechanism, a vehicle, a first part assembling mechanism, a first soldering mechanism, a turn-over mechanism, a second part assembling mechanism, a second soldering mechanism, and a control system. The vehicle is conveyed by the conveyor mechanism for carrying a workpiece. The first part assembling mechanism and the first soldering mechanism assemble and solder a first part to the primary workpiece carried by the vehicle. The turn-over mechanism turns the vehicle that is conveyed by the conveyor mechanism and carries the primary workpiece having the first part assembled thereto by a predetermined angle. The second part assembling mechanism and the second soldering mechanism assemble and solder and position a second part to the primary workpiece. The control system is electrically connected to and thus controls the first part and second part assembling mechanisms, the first and second soldering mechanisms, and the turn-over mechanism.

Abstract: A stud welding apparatus comprises a feeder to receive a plurality of studs and feed the stud one by one with the stud being fed in advance of a weld portion thereof from an outlet of the feeder; and a welding gun to receive the stud as fed from the feeder through a feeding pipe to hold the stud and to weld the stud to a workpiece. The outlet of the feeder is provided with a shuttle loader wherein a hollow shuttle is loaded to a rod body of the stud to extend the length of a short stud, so that the shuttle loaded stud is lengthened as a whole to prevent the shuttle loaded stud from tumbling in the feeding pipe and/or a stud path in the welding gun.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating and installing a riser tower structure, preferably in a welding chamber, and a welding chamber suitable for the method. The method includes fabricating sections of the riser tower structure at a site remote from the site of installation; transporting the sections of the riser tower structure to within the vicinity of the installation site; and assembling together the sections of the riser tower structure in the vicinity of the installation site. The welding chamber includes a plurality of guide means, each providing a guide for one of the elongate elements of the riser tower structure, and floats on the sea surface when in use.