Patent ID: 6639181
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
An apparatus for assessing electrode tip wear characterized in that, in consumable electrode gas-shielded arc welding, wherein welding voltage is applied to an electrode tip having a wire inserted therein in electrical contact therewith, for performing arc welding by causing droplets to be transferred from the welding wire onto a workpiece to be welded, it comprises:a welding voltage detection means, or a welding current detection means, for detecting welding voltage applied between the welding wire and the workpiece, or welding current supplied; a replacement index computation means for computing an electrode tip replacement index based on the average value of the arc-time welding voltage, or arc-time welding current, as detected by the welding voltage detection means or the welding current detection means; and a wear assessment means for assessing the state of wear of the electrode tip by comparing the replacement index computed by the replacement index computation means with a reference standard value.