Smart Spot Welding Machine
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Date
2018
Authors
Nawasrha, Moath
Hawi, Oday
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Abstract
Resistance spot welding is widely used in the fabrication of vehicle bodies and parts of their equipment. The article presents the methodology and the results of non-destructive ultrasonic testing of resistance spot welded joints of thin steel sheet with closed profile. Non-destructive test results were verified on the basis of welded joint area after destructive testing. The obtained results were used to develop an assessment technique for spot welded joints of closed profile with steel sheet, which could be used in factories employing such joints. In addition, the article makes comparison between the costs of the developed assessment technique and currently used destructive method.
Spot Welding occurs in three stages:
• Electrodes seated in a weld head are brought to the surface of the parts to be joined and force (pressure) is applied
• Current is applied through the electrodes to the workpiece to melt the material
• Current is removed but electrodes remain in place at force to allow the material to cool and solidify
Weld times range from 0.01 sec to 0.63 sec depending on the thickness of the metal, the electrode force and the diameter of the electrodes themselves.
Basic equipment used in the spot welding process consists of a desktop workstation including a welding power supply, a weld head and electrodes. More sophisticated manufacturing may use automation and/or robotics.