Welding system for continuous rod, and welding head therefore

A welding head for use as part of a welding system for welding rod segments into a continuous rod, the welding head comprising:

• a structural frame;
• a rod path extending along a rod path axis at a given position relative to the structural frame;
• a first jaw and a second jaw both positioned along the rod path for securely receiving corresponding rod segment ends along the rod path, and both mounted to the structural frame, at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw being movable along the rod path;
• at least a first mount having a first housing made integral to the structural frame, and a first piston slidingly housed within the first housing in a manner to be slidable within the first housing along a first housing axis, wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw is made integral to the first piston;
• and
• an actuator operable to selectively move the jaws towards or away from one another and to apply pressure against the ends of the rod segments for welding.