Robot spot welding

Automatic welding imposes specific demands on resistance welding equipment. Often, equipment must be specially designed and welding procedures developed to meet robot welding requirements.

The spot welding robot is the most imortant component of a robotized spotwelding installation. Welding robots are available in various sizes, rated by payload capacity and reach. Robots are also classified by the number of axes. A spot welding gun applies approriate pressure and current to the sheets to be welded. There are different types of welding guns, used for different applications, available. An automatic weld-timer initiates and times the duration of current.

During the resistance welding process the welding electrodes are exposed to severe heat and pressure. In time, these factors begin to deform (mushroom) the electrodes. To restore the shape of the electrodes, an automatic tip-dresser is used.

One problem when welding with robots is that the cables and hoses used for current and air etc. tend to limit the capacity of movement of the robot wrist. A solution to this problem is the swivel, which permits passage of compressed air, cooling water, electric current and signals within a single rotating unit.The swivel unit also enables off-line programming as all cables and hoses can be routed along defined paths of the robot arm.

Typical components of an integrated robotic spot welding cell:

Spot welding robot
Spot welding gun
Weld timer
Electrode tip dresser
Spot welding swivel

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Last updated: Tuesday, November 12, 2001