Single drive and source for adjacently clamping and resistance welding

A system for clamping and resistance spot welding a plurality of workpieces, said system comprising:

• a clamp configured to engage the workpieces by applying a clamping force at a first location and retain the workpieces in a relatively fixed condition;
• a first electrode positioned and configured to engage by applying a welding force to and passing an electric current through a section of the workpieces, wherein said section is substantially adjacent the first location;
• a drive mechanism drivenly coupled to the clamp and electrode, so as to cause the clamp and electrode to engage the workpieces when actuated;
• and
• a source configured to produce the clamping and welding forces, and actuate the mechanism, so as to transfer the forces through the mechanism and to the clamp and electrode,
• said clamp being connected to a clamp swing arm,
• said electrode being connected to a weld swing arm,
• said swing arms sharing an axis of rotation and being concurrently rotatable between an initial disengaged position and a workpiece engaged position,
• said mechanism, clamp and electrode being cooperatively configured such that the clamp engages the workpieces prior to the electrode engages the workpieces.

A method of clamping and welding a plurality of workpieces in a predetermined assembly configuration, and reducing assembly cell congestion, said method including the steps of:

• a. determining at least one datum location for clamping the workpieces, so as to minimize assembly deformation during clamping and welding;
• b. securing the workpieces in the assembly configuration, and securing a clamping and welding system having a single drive mechanism in relation to the workpieces;
• c. applying pressure to the workpieces at the datum location by actuating the drive mechanism of the system, so as to clamp and retain the workpieces in the assembly configuration;
• and
• d. passing an electric current through and applying pressure to the workpieces at a second location substantially adjacent the first location, so as to form a weld at the second location also by actuating the drive mechanism of the system.