Patent DE-102007007100-A1 (DE)
Title: Electrode cap changing system for welding robot or welding automatic machine, comprises a separation head, by which the electrode cap of welding tongs is detachable and which has a reception for the electrode cap
Inventor: RIVO ATTILIO
IPC: B23K11/30
Filed: 2007-02-13
Abstract: The electrode cap changing system for welding robot or welding automatic machine, comprises a separation head (4), by which the electrode cap (6) of welding tongs (2) is detachable and which has a reception for the electrode cap, in which clamping elements are intended for applying clamping force on the electrode cap. The clamping force is applied over a rotation movement of a robot arm of the welding robot or a handling robot. The clamping of the electrode cap takes place in the separation head after a rotation movement of less than 15[deg] of the robot arm. The clamping elements are balls. The electrode cap changing system for welding robot or welding automatic machine, comprises a separation head (4), by which the electrode cap (6) of welding tongs (2) is detachable and which has a reception for the electrode cap, in which clamping elements are intended for applying clamping force on the electrode cap. The clamping force is applied over a rotation movement of a robot arm of the welding robot or a handling robot. The clamping of the electrode cap takes place in the separation head after a rotation movement of less than 15[deg] of the robot arm. The clamping elements are balls, which are led along an outer circumference surface of the electrode cap and a cam track of the separation head, which is formed in such a manner that the balls during the rotation movement of the robot arm implement a radial movement implement for clamping and detaching of the electrode cap. The cam track is formed as concave circular track brought into the separation head. The separation head has six cam tracks, which are arranged to each other and shifted around 60[deg] . The cam tracks are connected with one another and form an interior six round. The balls are arranged on the cam track in a base position. The robot arm carries out a rotation movement of 30[deg] for clamping and detaching of the electrode cap. The balls are held by a cage driver in the separation head. The electrode cap is detachably held by a ball catch in the separation head, whose elastic force for ejecting the electrode cap of the robot is pressurizable in positive manner. The two ball catches are arranged diametrically to each other. The handling robot carries a connecting element for the reception of the changing system that has two locating pins, which are connectable with corresponding recesses of the changing system. An electrode cap magazine (22, 24) is assigned to the changing system. The electrode cap is clamped in the electrode cap magazine by the force of compression spring in its removal position. The compression spring embraces a pressing rod, which is supported over a supporting element at the electrode cap in section-wise manner and which is adapted to the outline of the electrode cap. An electromechanical tactile sensor (34) is intended to detect the absence of the electrode cap before the reception of a new electrode cap from the electrode cap magazine and/or the presence of the electrode cap after the reception of a new electrode cap. The balls have a diameter of 6 mm and/or the circular track has a radius of 9 mm. An independent claim is included for a method for changing an electrode cap with an electrode cap changing system.