Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling intermittent contact at different points of a consumable element (such as an electrode) with a member (such as a workpiece to be locally hardened) by vibrating the element at high frequency and in such manner as automatically to compensate for consumption of the element and also accommodate and follow irregular contours on the member. Such apparatus is especially suitable for use in a metallic fusion system wherein a consumable electrode imparts its characteristics to the base metal of a workpiece.