Patent ID: 6583386
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A method for welding of components of a workpiece with multiple arc welds in a fixture using a consumable electrode wire, melting the wire by heat from an electric arc having a current and voltage which comprises:(a) providing a system with the fixture having (i) one or more weld sensor means for determining a weld count and for detecting a quality of each weld on the workpiece on the fixture for welding the workpiece; (ii) a program in a computer to continuously monitor an output from the one or more weld sensor means and provide weld data in the computer wherein the weld data includes a number of the weld on the workpiece and the quality of the weld; and (iii) a switch means connected to the computer for starting a period during which the multiple welds are counted and monitored and then completed and for terminating the monitoring; (b) placing components which form the workpiece in the fixture, welding the workpiece with the multiple welds while counting each weld and determining the quality of each weld; and (c) removing the workpiece from the fixture, wherein the program in the computer provides monitoring of each of the multiple welds by means of the one or more weld sensor means between the starting and terminating of the monitoring by the switch means.