Electrode alignment device for automated welding machines

An alignment device for a welding machine, comprising:

• a base member comprising at least one base member alignment post;
• an electrode holder comprising at least one electrode holder alignment post;
• and
• a gap wheel comprising a plurality of graduations, each graduation corresponding to a predetermined electrode spacing;
• wherein each graduation comprises a pair of apertures.

An electrode alignment device, comprising:

• a. a base member comprising at least one base member alignment post;
• b. an electrode holder comprising at least one electrode holder alignment post;
• and
• c. a gap wheel comprising at least a first and second base member alignment post apertures and at least a first and second electrode holder alignment post apertures;
• wherein the distance between the first base member alignment post aperture and the first electrode holder alignment post aperture is different from the distance between the second base member alignment post aperture and the second electrode holder alignment post aperture.

A welding machine, comprising at least two electrode alignment devices, each electrode alignment device comprises:

• a. a gap wheel comprising a plurality of graduations, each graduation corresponding to a predetermined electrode spacing;
• b. a base member;
• c. an electrode holder;
• wherein when the gap wheel is rotated from a first position to a second position, the electrode holder to moves from a first alignment to a second alignment.

An electrode alignment device for a welding machine, comprising:

• a. a gap wheel, the gap wheel comprising a first plurality of apertures disposed radially across the gap wheel, and a second plurality of apertures disposed radially across the gap wheel;
• b. a base member, the base member comprising a first pair of alignment posts capable of coupling to the first plurality of apertures;
• c. an electrode holder, the electrode holder comprising a second pair of alignment posts capable of coupling to the second plurality of apertures;
• and
• d. a coupling rod for mechanically coupling the gap wheel, base member and electrode holder together;
• wherein when the gap wheel is rotated into a first position, the fist pair of alignment posts engage the first plurality of apertures and the second pair of alignment posts engage the second plurality of apertures so as to cause the electrode holder to be in a first position;
• further wherein when the gap wheel is rotated into a second position, the first pair of alignment posts engage the first plurality of apertures and the second pair of alignment posts engage the second plurality of apertures so as to cause the electrode holder to be in a second position.