Did You Know...
...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7145097 | Method and apparatus for electrical resistance spot welding using electrical servo actuator The present invention provides a servo driven spot welder where an electric servo actuator moves at least one of two electrodes to and away from the workpiece. The servo driven spot welder includes a controller that allows accurate control of the position of one of ... | 12/05/2006 |
| 7110859 | Setting method and setting apparatus for operation path for articulated robot A temporary operation path is set by connecting a plurality of welding points in a virtual space generated by a computer to investigate whether an end effector can be operated along the temporary operation path. If the operation cannot be operated, a path to avoid i... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7105768 | Fixed type electrode tip take-out device There is provided a fixed type electrode tip take-out device capable of solving the problem of irregularities of positions of upper and lower electrode tips by urging a tip magazine to be movable, and fixing the locations of the electrode tips of each group at the p... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7105767 | Fixed type electrode tip removal device There is provided a fixed type electrode tip removal device capable of reliably removing an electrode tip and realizing full automation of the removal device. The fixed type electrode tip removal device for removing an electrode tip from the shank is made up of a ta... | 09/12/2006 |
| 6667454 | Apparatus and method for separating and replacing a cap from a shank of a tip of a welding electrode Apparatus and method for separating and replacing a cap from a shank of a tip of a welding electrode. The cap and the shank form a peripheral hollow joint that is defined by a recessed end surface of the shank and a back surface of the cap. The apparatus ... | 12/23/2003 |
| 6624378 | Resistance welding A method and apparatus for resistance welding of objects (39) by a spot welding gun which has a C-shaped arm (9), a front electrode (11), a back electrode (13) and a pneumatic cylinder (21). The back electrode is axially moveable a limited distance by the... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6596958 | Modular welding guns A modular welding gun includes a frame and an upper and lower yoke both interconnected with the frame. One of the yokes is movable with respect to the frame. An upper weld arm has one end removably interconnected with the upper yoke and the other end desi... | 07/22/2003 |
| 6586698 | Method of operating a welding machine and a welding machine A method of operating a welding machine as well as to a welding machine comprising a frame, a first electrode (33) having a fixed position in the frame and a second electrode (35) which is mounted in the frame so as to be movable with respect to the frame... | 07/01/2003 |
| 6518537 | Welding electrode tip dressing apparatus A welding electrode tip dressing apparatus for grinding a pair of electrode tips mounted on two opposite shanks and for removing the electrode tips when they are spent. The dressing apparatus includes a tip grinding unit and a tip removal unit. The tip gr... | 02/11/2003 |
| 6512195 | Modular welding machine A machine is disclosed with interchangeable tooling modules for use in a base operating machine. Disconnectible welding current contactor members connect the tooling module to a power supply/transformer of the base operating machine when the module is ins... | 01/28/2003 |
| 6462298 | Long life welding electrode and its fixing structure, welding head and welding method The present invention provides a fixing structure for a welding electrode and a welding head which enable improvement of durability of a welding electrode, improvement of work efficiency in welding, and reduction of time required for welding and also whic... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6271496 | Modular welding machine A spot welding machine is disclosed with interchangeable tooling modules for use in a base operating machine. Push/pull welding current contactors connect the tooling module to a transformer on the base operating machine when the module is installed. The ... | 08/07/2001 |
| 6188038 | Device for removing an electrode tip Devices and methods for removing an electrode tip from a shaft of a resistance welder by turning the electrode tip. A holding member has a center of rotation with a first hole to receive the electrode tip and a claw disposed adjacent the first hole and mo... | 02/13/2001 |
| 6072146 | Resistance welding gun with on-board memory A resistance welding device having a welding current source, a control and/or regulating device for regulating the welding current, and at least one set of interchangeable welding guns on which welding electrodes are mounted in such fashion that they can ... | 06/06/2000 |
| 6049053 | Apparatus for loosening electrode tip for spot welding The present invention provides an apparatus for loosening an electrode tip. The apparatus includes a clamping means mounted to a casing for clamping the electrode tip, the clamping means defining a through-hole for receiving the electrode tip to be loosen... | 04/11/2000 |
| 5789719 | Method and apparatus for electrical resistance spot welding An improved welding apparatus and method of use including a pair of opposed electrodes mounted on arms which are fixed against outward displacement during the application of the welding current. One of the arms includes a cylinder for moving an electrode ... | 08/04/1998 |
| 5767474 | Electrode tip removal apparatus An electrode tip removal apparatus includes an apparatus body, and a bifurcate arm mounted to the body in such a manner as to be engageable with opposite flat surfaces formed in a circumferential surface of an electrode tip. The opposite flat surfaces are... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5734141 | Apparatus for automatically replacing welding electrodes A double extractor and an electrode supply station are provided for automatically replacing electrodes in opposing jaws of a resistance welding machine. With coated sheet steels now used for car body structures, it is found that electrodes must be replace... | 03/31/1998 |
| 5705783 | Copper core weld gun A copper core weld gun assembly is provided with a substantially omega (Ω) shaped cross-section taken through each arm of the assembly. Concentric copper tubes are provided to carry cooling water and electric current to the electrodes of each arm. Specia... | 01/06/1998 |
| 5705782 | Internal coil spot welding device A spot welding device to secure the inner end of a coil of steel to itself to prevent uncoiling. The welding device is carried on an articulated support arm assembly that allows for positioning the welder within the coil on a gimble axis mount for proper ... | 01/06/1998 |
| 5541381 | Sheet metal working electrode and handpiece A sheet metal working electrode handpiece is described for delivering electric current from a source of electrical energy to a selected location on a sheet metal workpiece. The electrode has an electrically insulated handle with an electrical conductor ha... | 07/30/1996 |
| 5478982 | Apparatus for fusing terminal or commutator wire connections on an armature or stator An apparatus and method for fusing terminal or commutator wire connections on an armature or stator, including an electrode, a pneumatic locking cylinder for driving the electrode into contact with the workpiece and applying a force to the workpiece, a lo... | 12/26/1995 |
| 5387774 | Spot resistance-welding electrode; contact tip for such an electrode; machine for exchanging these tips This welding electrode is one wherein the welding cap 3 of the electrode body 1 carries a contact tip 4 which is securely fastened to it by brazing. Thus, the replacement of this contact tip can be carried out very easily by stopping the circulation of th... | 02/07/1995 |
| 5372567 | Robotic arm tool head selection and storage rack A segmented tool rack having a plurality of individual bays to retain tool heads for an automated selection by a robotic arm, the tool heads being positively locked in the tool rack and upon selection by a robotic arm, the tool head remains in locked posi... | 12/13/1994 |
| 5266767 | Fusing machine reciprocating turret with automatic electrode replacement Apparatus for fusing electric motor parts (e.g., fusing electric motor armature coil leads to the commutator of the armature) includes positive control of the elements which move to perform the fusing cycle so that the fusing cycle stroke can begin at any... | 11/30/1993 |
| 5239155 | Multipurpose spot welding gun with replaceable electrode holders An adaptable, multipurpose spot welding gun having replaceable electrode holders with different configurations. The spot welding gun includes a pneumatic cylinder with a first electrode secured to the cylinder piston. A rotatable housing is mounted on the... | 08/24/1993 |
| 5173066 | Chip holder fixing device A chip holder fixing device comprising an arm having a circular hole defined therein into which a rear portion of a chi8p holder is inserted. The chip holder is fastened to the arm by way of a bolt. The arrangement assures the positioning of the chip hold... | 12/22/1992 |
| 5073692 | Automatic welding electrode cap changer An electrode cap mounting station includes a linearly reciprocal drive member. Two electrode cap engaging members, each having opposed facing knife edges, are arranged in inverted relationship with respect to each other and pivotally connected at one end ... | 12/17/1991 |
| 4912294 | Method of controlling electrode tip of welding gun in automatic welding machine The opening degree of the two arms of a welding gun movable by a robot to a plurality of welding spots, each of the arms being equipped with an electrode tip, is detected when the arms are closed with no work clamped between them and compared with a lower... | 03/27/1990 |
| 4910373 | Exchangeable gun arm welding gun and gun arm exchange apparatus The gun arm has a tail end portion provided with a flange with notches therein and a tapered portion extending rearwards from the flange. The arm holder on the gun body has a tapered hole formed to allow the tapered portion to be fitted thereinto via a re... | 03/20/1990 |
| 4904838 | Electrode changers and methods of operation for electrical bonding apparatus Electrical bonding apparatus such as a fusing machine is provided with plural separate electrode holders such that the position of an electrode relative to each holder can be adjusted. The position of each electrode relative to the holder is adjusted whil... | 02/27/1990 |
| 4794221 | Apparatus and method for exchanging electrode chips used for resistance welding An apparatus for exchanging electrode chips used for resistance welding. The apparatus includes a base to which a shaft is rotatably mounted. A power source is connected to one end of the shaft to rotate the shaft. An electrode chip-withdrawing knife tool... | 12/27/1988 |
| 4594494 | Modular welding apparatus having two movable welding electrodes A modular welding apparatus comprises a welding assembly having a welding head with an integral actuating assembly. A foot treadle initiates motion of the welding head. A conductive base member is spaced from the welding head. A welding power supply has o... | 06/10/1986 |
| 4551903 | Automatic tool changing mechanism for industrial robots An automatic tool changing mechanism for industrial robots, comprising a coupling device mounted on a toolholder head of the robot, and a connection plate complementary to the coupling device and firmly secured to the tool, this latter being accommodated ... | 11/12/1985 |
| 4473734 | Modular welding apparatus A modular welding apparatus comprises a welding head assembly having a welding head with an integral actuating assembly. A foot treadle initiates motion of the welding head. A conductive base member is spaced from the welding head. A welding power supply ... | 09/25/1984 |
| 4409464 | Automatic device for changing an electric welding gun, operated by the arm of a programmable manipulator An automatic device for changing an electric welding gun, operated by the arm (11) of a manipulator, in which two elements (10, 50), one carried by the manipulator arm and the other by the gun, can be connected together by the first element being made to ... | 10/11/1983 |
| 4400607 | Exchanging apparatus for welding jig units of an automatic welding apparatus An exchanging apparatus for exchanging welding jig units of an automatic welding apparatus on an assembly line. The automatic welding apparatus includes a combining station where a work to be assembled is combined and welded by detachable welding jig unit... | 08/23/1983 |
| 4280039 | Apparatus for fabricating and welding core reinforced panel A machine or apparatus simultaneously manufacutures a core-reinforced welded panel and assembles core strips in operative relationship with the face sheets of said panel. The machine includes a first welding head which is insertable in the space between t... | 07/21/1981 |
| 4229637 | Spot welding assembly for electrical resistance welding A spot welding assembly is disclosed particularly adopted for precision welding of small components. The welding rod is carried at an outer side of the entire assembly in a clamp portion of an electrode slide block. The electrode slide block is in turn sl... | 10/21/1980 |
