Patent GB-614169-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in machines used for the assembly of large sized metal panels
IPC: B23K11/00
Filed: 1946-01-18
Abstract: 614,169. Welding; riveting. SOC. NATIONALE DE CONSTRUCTIONS AERONAUTIQUES DU SUD-EST. Jan. 18, 1946, No. 1824. Convention date, June 6, 1945. [Classes 83 (iii) and 83 (iv)] Supports for portable machines.-In a machine for riveting or welding panels for aircraft, a welding machine mounted on a carriage is positioned by control means actuated by feelers which engage the work. The welding head is adjustable for rotation in horizontal and vertical planes and for translation along the line of weld, transverse thereto and vertically. Auxiliary compensating adjustment is provided when the pivot point of the welding head does not pass through the electrodes. The welding machine M with electrodes E carries cam plates 1c, for the compensating adjustment, hung on rollers 2 on a yoke 3 fixed to a tubular member 4. The latter is mounted for axial movement and for rotation in a horizontal plane on a carriage 6 movable on wheels 7 on a cross-frame 8 which travels on wheels on the platform of a gantry 40. Rotation in the horizontal plane is effected by a jack 19 carrying a rack 52 operated by valves 55, 56 controlled by feelers 57. Rotation in the vertical plane is similar to the horizontal plane adjustment and is controlled by a switch 64. Vertical translation is by a jack 9 controlled by hand-actuated valves 12, 13 from switches 14, 15. Translation in direction of weld is similar to vertical control, but by a motor 92 and nut 95. Transverse translation is effected by a jack 20 controlled by a cam 35 actuated by hand or by a motor 36. The jacks are operated by oil pressure in an accumulator 17. Oil is supplied by a compressor 16 driven by cam 18 connected to the accumulator 17 which supplies jacks 18a, 18b for controlling swinging movement in a vertical plane, jack 19 for swinging movement in a horizontal plane, jacks 20 for controlling the horizontal movement and jack 9 controlling the vertical movement. Contacts 21, 22 are closed by a float 24 in the accumulator 17. At the upper level, contacts 21 close a circuit through a solenoid 23 which opens switch 25 to stop the motor 18 and the circuit through the solenoid 23 is held on by a switch 26. Control of vertical movement. A hydraulic jack with piston 10 is connected by a tube 11 to a rotary sleeve on the member 4. Hand actuation of contacts 14, 15 control inlet valves 12, 13. Automatic control of the contacts 14, 15 by a cam bar secured to the work may be used, Fig. 2b (not shown). Control of longitudinal movement. Spacing of the carriage 8. Control of a switch 32a by a hand- or motor-actuated cam 35 energizes a coil 33a controlling a valve 34 of jack 20. On the forward movement of the piston against pressure of a spring, a pawl 30 rotates a ratchetwheel 31 connected to a rack and pinion 29 on the carriage 8. Displacement of gantry. To displace gantry, when the carriage 8 has reached the end of its travel, the parts 8, 40 are moved in opposite directions. Depression of a switch 42 starts a motor 41 and a coil 43 is energized to open a valve controlling jack 44. This disconnects pinion 28 from pawl control and connects it to a shaft 85 driven from motor 41 for quick return of the carriage 8. A contact is opened at the end of return stroke to stop the motor 41. The gantry 48 controls the gantry movement independently of the carriage 8. Control of swinging movement on horizontal plane. The rotation of the welding head is effected by a jack 52 controlled by valves 55, 56 with coils 53, 54 controlled by contacts 58, 59 actuated by a feeler contacting the work. As the machine advances, camber of the work will allow feeler 57 to swing to actuate the contacts 58, 59 and so swing the work. Hand control is through switches 60, 61. Control of pivotal displacement in vertical plane. Coils 62, 63 control a throw-over switch 64 reversing rotation of a motor 65 which rotates a screw shaft 72 engaging a nut 66 carrying the pivot of rollers 2. Control of machines transverse displacement. The carriage 6 carries a screw 93 engaging a nut 95 rotated by a pinion driven by a motor 92. A feeler 74 engagos the work and through contacts 75, 76 controls the motor 92. Hand control is by switches 77, 78. Blocking machine after pivotal displacement in vertical plane. This is controlled by jacks 18a, 18b controlled by a coil 79 shunted across the control circuit of the machine. A combined control system for the pivotal displacements and the transverse displacement may be provided, Fig. 3a (not shown), or a photo-electric control may be used. Operation. In operation, the motor 36 rotates at constant speed and contact 32a is closed by the cam 35 after a welding operation. Coil 33a is excited and operates valve 34 to apply pressure to the jack 20 and advance the rack 29 and the carriage 8 ready for the next welding operation. If the work deviates from the straight, the feelers 74, 75 are operated to displace the welding head. The machine is fixed in position when the feelers have operated for effecting corrections and are on a neutral position. The locking jacks 18a, 18b are then operated to lock the frame and the welding is effected. When the carriage 8 reaches the end of its travel, the carriage 8 and the gantry travel in opposite positions without changing the position of the welding head, Fig. 17 (not shown), and the welding is resumed.