Abstract:
A welding material in positioned in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members (18, 22), such as hydroformed tubes, at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. A welding device comprises first and second electrodes or conductive ends (46, 48) that extend along substantially the entire extent of first sides of the first and second weldable members, respectively. The first and second conductive ends include first and second concave recesses (158), which nest with the first and second weldable members (18, 22), respectively. Axial pressure and electrical current are applied across the first and second weldable members by the nesting first and second conductive ends. The applied current melts the welding material and thereby welds the exterior surface portions to one another. The welding device can be mounted on a robotic mechanism, which can move the welding device between first and second welding positions.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a workpiece placement system (9) for picking and placing a workpiece (10) on a product (22) being assembled. The workpiece placement system (9) includes a mechanical housing (38) having a telescopic arm (14) that is extendable between a retracted position and an extended position. A vacuum source (24) providing a vacuum pressure below ambient conditions is in fluid communication with a vacuum conduit along the telescopic arm (18). The workpiece (10) is securely held in place on the telescopic arm (18) as it is extended from the initial retracted position to the extended position. After the telescopic arm (18) is fully extended the workpiece (10) is positioned proximate the product (22) being assembled, and the vacuum is interrupted to release the workpiece.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for fastening layers of non-ferrous alloys, like aluminum, magnesium and copper utilizes a steel fastener and a spot welding machine. The fastener and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the fastener to penetrate the aluminum. A weld zone between the fastener and the various layers creates an internal weld. The fastener has a rough shaft that is coated by the molten weld zone and is hard to withdraw on solidification. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastics and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using a fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole and welds to or penetrates a conductive layer. The fastener may have projections that initially reduce contact area with the stack.
Abstract:
A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.
Abstract:
Es wird ein Schweißhilfsfügeteil in Form eines Bolzens mit einem Kopf, einem Schaft und einer Spitze offenbart. Das Schweißhilfsfügeteil wird mithilfe eines mechanischthermischen Setzverfahrens in ein Bauteil aus nicht oder schlecht schweißbarem Material eingetrieben. Beim Eintreiben entsteht durch mechanische Deformation ein Schweißkopf, sodass nachfolgend das Bauteil über das Schweißhilfsfügeteil mit einem weiteren Bauteil aus schweißbarem Material mittels Schweißen verbunden werden kann.
Abstract:
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Schweißnietverbindung (2) eines oder mehrerer Bauteile (6) mit einem Grundbauteil (7), wobei das oder die Bauteile eine Bohrung (8) aufweisen, durch welche ein, einen Kopf (3) aufweisender Schweißniet (1) mit seinem Schaft (4) hindurchragt, wobei der Schaft mit einer Stirnfläche (9) mit der Oberfläche des Grundbauteils (4) verschweißt und plastisch verformt ist. Erfindungswesentlich ist dabei, dass der Schweißniet (1) einen im Vergleich zum Kopfdurchmesser kürzeren Schaft (4) aufweist und in einem Übergangsbereich zwischen Kopf (3) und Schaft (4) eine ringförmig umlaufende Ausnehmung (5) vorgesehen ist, die zur Aufnahme von beim Nieten verdrängtem Material und/oder zum Toleranzausgleich ausgebildet ist.
Abstract:
A welding material assembly (12) is constructed and arranged to position a welding material (14) in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members (18, 22) at a location where the first and second weldable members (18, 22) are to be joined. The welding material assembly (12) includes at least one welding material member (14) mounted on flexible carrier sheet (16) in a predetermined arrangement with each welding material member (14) being constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member (14) is mounted on the sheet (16) such that when the sheet (16) is placed between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members (18, 22) to be welded, each welding material member (14) is electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for method for joining materials includes a rivet (10) that may extend through a first sheet (26) to be resistance welded to a second sheet (24). The head (14) of the rivet (10) has a cavity (18) and vents (240) allowing adhesive (236) extruded from a pilot hole (28) to be received in the cavity (18) and vented in a direction parallel to the first sheet (26). The rivet (10) is deformed to an hourglass shape that fills the pilot hole (28) and displaces the first sheet (26) into the cavity (18). Rivet (10) dimensions allow for holding with a robotic gripper (1316) that can be withdrawn before welding. Methods of monitoring joint quality include comparing welding parameter profiles and images of good and discrepant joints.
Abstract:
An assembly system, such as welding system, includes an assembly station that is configured to assemble a component to a part in a loaded position. A drag conveyor includes a movable conveyor member that supports multiple locating elements configured to cooperate with a locating feature on a part. A friction bar is arranged along the locating elements, and the locating elements extend beyond the friction bar. The friction bar is configured to support the part and reorient the part from an unoriented position to an oriented position. A robot is configured to transfer a part from the oriented position on the conveyor to the loaded position at the assembly station, such as a welding unit.
Abstract:
Um ein Verfahren zum Fügen eines mehrschichtigen Bauteils (10) mit einem weiteren Bauteil (11) derart weiter zu verbessern, dass das mehrschichtige Bauteil (1') mechanisch und elektrisch mit weiteren Elementen verbunden werden kann, wird vorgeschlagen, eine Zwischenschicht (14) des mehrschichtigen Bauteils (10) im Bereich der Fügestelle (32) zu verdrängen und die beiden äußeren Bauelemente (12, 13) des mehrschichtigen Bauteils (10) durch Anlegen einer elektrischen Spannung miteinander zu verbinden und im Bereich der Fügestelle (32) das weitere Bauteil (11) als Verbindungselement mit dem mehrschichtigen Bauteil (10) zu verbinden.