Short-time arc welding system and method for short-time arc welding

A method for performing short-time arc welding operable to weld an element onto a component, using a holding device, a lifting device, a measuring system and a control device, the method comprising:

• holding the element with the holding device in a rest position;
• translating the lifting device to operatively advance the holding device toward the component;
• triggering the lifting device with the control device to controllably move the element toward the component until the element contacts the component;
• determining a zero position of the lifting device when the element contacts the component using the measuring system;
• performing a welding sequence;
• and
• elastically biasing the holding device toward the rest position with an elastic biasing element.

A method for short-time arc welding, in particular for stud welding an element onto a component, using a robot having an arm, a welding head base connected to the arm, the welding head base having both a welding head a cradle, the cradle operatively securing both a welding head and a lifting device, the method comprising:

• triggering the robot to operatively translate the welding head base to a basic welding position;
• performing one of translating the cradle, and moving the component in relation to the welding head base, to operatively translate the welding head to a head welding position;
• operating the lifting device such that the holding device with the element held therein is operatively moved towards the component;
• detecting a position of the lifting device wherein the element contacts the component;
• and
• directing at least one directional movement of the welding head using an elastically deflectable biasing element.

A short-time arc welding system operable to weld an element onto a component, comprising:

• a welding head base;
• a welding head axially moveable with respect to the welding head base;
• a holding device operable to hold the element, the holding device slidably disposed with respect to the welding head;
• a displacement device connected to the welding head base, the displacement device operable to each of advance the welding head away from the welding head base and retract the welding head into the welding head base;
• a lifting device connected to the welding head operable in an on condition to one of advance the holding device in a first direction away from the welding head and retract the holding device in a second direction toward the welding head;
• a biasing element operable to elastically bias the holding device in the other one of the first and second directions opposite to the operation of the lifting device when the lifting device is in an off condition;
• a measuring system operable to determine a relative position between the component and the element;
• and
• a control device operable to trigger the lifting device to operatively move the element toward the component until the element contacts the component and thereby determine the relative position.