Clamp system and method for control of welding a first substrate to a second substrate

A method of controlling a system for welding a first substrate to a second substrate, the method comprising:

• providing a system for welding the first substrate to the second substrate, the system comprising:
• a squeeze clamp having to a first end and a second end;
• a motor connected to the squeeze clamp such that the first and second ends are movable to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate;
• at least one of an electromagnetic flux sensor, a current sensor, a position sensor and a gap sensor disposed on one of the first and second ends for determining a first measured variable between the first and second substrates and for determining a second measured variable between one of the first and second substrates and one of the first and second ends;
• and
• a controller programmed for controlling the motor to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate based on the measured variable, the controller being in communication with the at least one of the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor;
• positioning the first substrate with the second substrate to a clamping position defining a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• clamping the first and second substrates to reduce the gap between the first and second substrates;
• determining the measured variable;
• stopping the motor to cease clamping when the first measured variable changes greater than 10 percent of the first measured variable;
• welding the first substrate to the second substrate;
• and
• retracting the squeeze clamp after welding the first and second substrates.

A method of controlling a system for welding a first substrate to a second substrate, the method comprising:

• providing a system for welding the first substrate to the second substrate, the system comprising:
• a squeeze clamp having a first arm extending to a first end and a second arm extending to a second end, the first and second ends being in opposing relationship to position the first substrate to the second substrate;
• a motor connected to the first and second arms such that the first and second ends are movable to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate;
• at least one of an electromagnetic flux sensor, a current sensor, a position sensor, and a gap sensor disposed on one of the first and second ends for determining a first measured variable between one of the first and second substrates and one of the first and second ends and a second measured variable between one of the first and second substrates and one of the first and second ends;
• and
• a controller programed for controlling the motor to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate based on the measured variable, the controller being in communication with the motor and the at least one of the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor;
• positioning the first substrate with the second substrate to a clamping position defining a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• approaching one of the first substrate and the second substrate with the squeeze clamp, before clamping the first and second substrates;
• determining the second measured variable with the at least one of the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor;
• contacting at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate with the squeeze clamp when the second measured variable changes greater than 10 percent of the second measured variable;
• clamping the first and second substrates with the motor and the squeeze clamp to reduce the gap between the first and second substrates;
• determining the measured variable with the at least one of the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor;
• stopping the motor to cease clamping when the first measured variable changes greater than 10 percent of the first measured variable;
• welding the first substrate to the second substrate;
• and
• retracting the squeeze clamp after welding the first and second substrates.