Patent ID: 9486876
Filing Date: 2016-11-08
CPC Classification: B23K

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for loading magazines with electrode caps for welding electrodes, comprising; an electrode cap rotating conduit having a first end and a second end and being configured to rotate the electrode caps by 90° about a Z axis thereof; a heliconveyor connected to said first end of said conduit, said heliconveyor having an outlet for the electrode caps; a guide duct having an upper end adjoining said second end of said conduit such that vibrations of said heliconveyor are not transmitted to other system components; a magazine loading unit connected to a lower end of said guide duct and having a magazine connector on a side facing a magazine to be loaded, said magazine connector matching a socket for fastening the magazine to be loaded; said magazine connector having locking lever sensors for detecting a correct position of the magazine inside said magazine connector, and two ball pressure pieces inside a conduit of said magazine connector aligned in a direction of operation; said magazine loading unit having a sensor below said guide duct for detecting electrode caps dropping out of said guide duct; a cylinder disposed in said magazine loading unit on a side opposite said magazine connector and a retainer holding said cylinder; a pressure piece connected to a plunger shaft of said cylinder, said pressure piece being disposed between said cylinder and electrode caps that are present in a conduit of said magazine loading unit; and a further ball pressure piece disposed behind said sensor in the direction of operation so as to prevent the electrode caps transported from said guide duct from accidentally moving out of position and leaving a detection zone of said sensor.