Automated welding of moulds and stamping tools
AssigneeAriel Andre Waitzman
InventorsPascal Zaffino, Jan Paul Huissoon, David Marentette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool welding system is disclosed that includes a table that heats a tool. A multi-axis robot includes a welding head that is moved relative to the table in response to a command. A controller is in communication with the robot and generates the command in response to welding parameters. The weld parameters are based upon a difference between an initial tool shape and a desired tool shape. The difference between the initial tool shape and the desired tool shape corresponds to a desired weld shape. The desired weld shape is adjusted based upon initial tool shape variations, which includes thermal growth of the tool. The tool is welded to provide the desired weld shape to achieve a desired tool shape.
Claims15
A method of welding a tool comprising the steps of:
- providing a robot having a welding head;
- adjusting a position of a tool relative to a floor surface, wherein the tool is adjustable about three axes relative to the floor surface, and wherein the tool is rotatable about a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis, the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral axes being normal to one another;
- operating a first drive attached to a first face of a table supporting the tool to adjust the tool about one of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis;
- operating a second drive attached to a second face of the table to adjust the tool about the other of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis;
- and
- welding the tool after adjustment about the longitudinal and lateral axes.
A method of welding a tool comprising the steps of:
- providing a robot having a welding head;
- adjusting a position of a tool relative to a floor surface, wherein the tool is adjustable about three axes relative to the floor surface, and wherein the tool is adjustable about a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis;
- operating a first drive attached to a first face of a table supporting the tool to adjust the tool about one of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis;
- operating a second drive attached to a second face of the table to adjust the tool about the other of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis;
- and
- operating a third drive provided below a rotatable floor surface to adjust the tool about the vertical axis.
A method of welding a tool comprising the steps of:
- providing a first set of digital data;
- providing a second set of digital data;
- determining a weld path and a weld parameters;
- adjusting a position of a table relative to a floor surface, the table supporting a tool, wherein the tool is rotatable about a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis, the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral axes being normal to one another;
- heating the tool, the table adjacent at least one heater in communication with a fuel source, and wherein the step of heating the tool includes providing fuel to the at least one heater;
- automating welding of the tool according to the weld path and weld parameters to provide a desired weld shape, the desired weld shape including a perimeter circumscribing an area, and wherein the area is solid without voids interiorly of the perimeter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.