Abstract:
Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with annealing; two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105.degree. C.) or more, to produce quality parts. We mill parts flat to simplify their machining, form them to complex curvature, and anneal them.
Abstract:
In high frequency welding apparatus in which high frequency electrical heating current is supplied to metal surfaces to be welded together by contacts engaging the metal which is advanced toward a weld point, the contacts engage the metal in advance of the weld point and have contact faces with downstream edges contacting the metal. The downstream edge of one of the contacts, or the downstream edges of the both of the contacts, is or are skewed with respect to the path or paths of the metal surfaces to be heated so that the downstream edge or edges extend at an acute angle of about 35.degree. to about 55 .degree. with respect to the path or paths of the metal surface or surfaces, the angle being intermediate the contacts and the weld point.
Abstract:
Water sprinkler apparatus to be used in combination with a welding or cutting torch to apply a cooling medium to the areas of an autobody upon which heat due to a welding operation or a cutting operation needs to be controlled to the autobody area either internal or external upon which repair work is performed.
Abstract:
A welding robot has a gun main body, a stationary electrode tip which is immovable relative to the gun main body, and a movable electrode tip which is mounted on the gun main body and is opened and closed by a pressing source. The gun main body is movable by a driving source in a direction in which both the electrode tips lie opposite to each other. In teaching the welding robot by the movement thereof to each weld spot position of a workpiece, the movable electrode tip is moved in a closing direction relative to the gun main body by the pressing source in a state in which the gun main body is kept stationary at a predetermined position relative to the gun support bracket. The stationary electrode tip is moved in the closing direction by a relative movement of the gun main body relative to the movable electrode tip after the movable electrode tip has come into contact with the workpiece. A position at which the stationary electrode tip contacted the workpiece is detected. This position is stored as teaching data.
Abstract:
In a process for joining two metallic workpieces (1.1,1.2) together, the pieces are butted together to form a butt joint (2) and are joined to one another in the region of the butt joint (2). During this operation, the workpieces (1.1,1.2) are subjected to a magnetic attraction force at one side, and can be subjected to holddown pressure on the opposite side.
Abstract:
Sesceptor sheets are selected so that their magnetic permeability decreases to unity at approximately the desired operating temperature thereby limiting heating to this "Curie temperature" and providing substantial uniformity of temperature in the panel Preferably, the susceptor includes multiple layers, such as a first metal having a relatively lower Curie temperature, a thin foil of copper in contact with the surface of the first sheet, and a second metal having a relatively higher Curie temperature. Such a susceptor allows thermal control at two spaced set points defined by the Curie temperatures.
Abstract:
For forming or consolidating organic matrix composites, for example, an organic matrix composite panel is sealed between sheets of a susceptor material that is susceptible to induction heating. The susceptor sheets are heated inductively. The sheets in turn conduct heat to the organic matrix composite panel. When heated to the desired temperature, the composite panel is consolidated and/or formed. In the present invention, the susceptor sheets are selected so that their magnetic permeability decreases to unity at approximately the desired operating temperature thereby limiting heating to this "Curie temperature" and providing substantial uniformity of temperature in the panel. Of course, the concept applies to other induction heating operations for metals including SPF, brazing, annealing, heat treating, bonding, hot pressing, and the like.
Abstract:
A fiber reinforcement fabric contains a metal susceptor strip paired with each warp thread and woven with the weave thread to produce a thermoplastic welding susceptor of separated and electrically isolated, longitudinal metal strips and fiber reinforcement in the weld.