Automatic and manual welding apparatus

An automatic-manual welding apparatus comprising:

• a welding table comprising a first table and a second table spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other, with a welding space formed therebetween;
• a workpiece-fixing unit movably provided at the first table and the second table, the workpiece-fixing unit being configured to fix an object to be welded;
• a welding unit provided at the second table, the welding unit comprising a welding torch configured to weld the object to be welded fixed by the workpiece-fixing unit;
• a vertical welding-unit-transferring unit configured to move the welding unit in a vertical direction with respect to a top surface of the second table;
• a horizontal welding-unit-transferring unit provided on the top surface of the second table, the horizontal welding-unit-transferring unit being configured to move the vertical welding-unit-transferring unit in a forward-and-backward direction with respect to the welding space;
• a welding gas supply unit configured to supply a welding gas to the welding torch;
• an input unit configured to selectively receive a power supply signal, a driving signal, and a welding signal associated with the workpiece-fixing unit, the welding unit, the vertical welding-unit-transferring unit, the horizontal welding-unit-transferring unit, and the welding gas supply unit;
• and
• a controller configured to, upon receiving the welding signal from the input unit, control the welding unit, the vertical welding-unit-transferring unit, the welding gas supply unit, and the horizontal welding-unit-transferring unit such that the welding torch welds the object to be welded while moving a predetermined welding distance forwards and backwards,
• wherein the horizontal welding-unit-transferring unit comprises:
• a forward/backward transfer motor configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions;
• a forward/backward transfer screw coupled at a first end portion thereof to the forward/backward transfer motor, the forward/backward transfer screw being configured to be rotated in the forward and reverse directions together with the forward/backward transfer motor;
• a forward/backward transfer screw support block configured to rotatably support the forward/backward transfer screw;
• a forward/backward welding-unit-transferring guide connected to the forward/backward transfer screw and the vertical welding-unit-transferring unit, the forward/backward welding-unit-transferring guide being configured to move the welding unit forwards and backwards in accordance with rotation of the forward/backward transfer screw in the forward and reverse directions;
• and
• a manual operation handle coupled to a second end portion of the forward/backward transfer screw, the manual operation handle being configured to manually rotate the forward/backward transfer screw,
• wherein the input unit comprises an operation changeover switch configured to switch between a manual input mode, in which supply of power to the forward/backward transfer motor is interrupted, and an automatic input mode, in which supply of power to the forward/backward transfer motor is allowed, the operation changeover switch switching between a mode of automatically rotating the forward/backward transfer screw and a mode of manually rotating the forward/backward transfer screw, and
• wherein the controller controls the forward/backward transfer motor such that when the manual input mode is selected through the operation changeover switch, supply of power to the forward/backward transfer motor is interrupted and such that when the automatic input mode is selected through the operation changeover switch, supply of power to the forward/backward transfer motor is allowed,
• wherein the apparatus further comprises:
• a manual operation handle rotation control member configured to set an angle at which the manual operation handle is rotated to move the welding unit forwards and backwards,
• wherein the manual operation handle comprises a handle part, a coupling shaft extending from a center portion of the handle part, the coupling shaft being coupled to the forward/backward transfer screw, a first rotation control ball provided on a surface of the handle part to which the coupling shaft is connected, and a second rotation control ball disposed below the first rotation control ball while being spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first rotation control ball, and
• wherein the manual operation handle rotation control member comprises:
• a rotation control plate case having an inner space formed therein, the rotation control plate case comprising an open portion communicating with the inner space, a center portion of a surface of the rotation control plate case that is opposite to the open portion being coupled to the coupling shaft such that the open portion is opposite to the handle part;
• a first rotation control member accommodated in the inner space in the rotation control plate case, the first rotation control member being configured to rotate the manual operation handle 360 degrees in a forward direction or in a reverse direction when each welding process is performed on the object to be welded;
• and
• a second rotation control member accommodated in the inner space in the rotation control plate case, the second rotation control member being configured to rotate the manual operation handle a predetermined angle smaller than 360 degrees in a forward direction or in a reverse direction in a state of dividing 360 degrees into predetermined angular intervals when each welding process is performed on the object to be welded.